Hot liquid burns can be a concern no matter what the dynamic of your workplace. Common liquids such as water are everywhere, from the heating system to your coworkers coffee mug.
The goal of this article is to explore some common causes of how people get burned at work, and how to treat hot liquid burns. Also we'll be exploring how to get proper compensation if you believe the medical costs of your burn should be covered by your place of employment (or by the person responsible for the burn).
Common Causes of Hot Liquid Burns
These burns can be sneaky and show up when you least expect them. Here are some common instances that you may not have considered:
- Hot Coffee/Beverage. The workplace can be a bustling hub of activity, and stranger things have happened than one person bumping into another. Unfortunately sometimes these accidents entail a pipping hot beverage getting spilt onto a co-worker. If the beverage is hot enough, serious injury can occur.
- Kitchen or Shower Area. Many workplaces have kitchen areas and some even have shower facilities. Careless coworkers can be the cause of water being left on at unreasonably hot temperatures. Accidental burning can be the result.
- Leaking radiator/industrial fluid. Sometimes pipes can burst in the office-place and extremely hot liquid can come pouring out. This has been known to happen with water heaters as well.
- Faulty steam vent.Although not technically a liquid burn, faulty steam vents can cause burn accidents.
- Working with hot liquid. Some individuals interact with hot liquids as part of their job (examples include hot glue, wax, solvents, etc).
As is the nature of accidents, there are many other kinds of cases not listed here. This is just a guide to get you thinking about how common dangerous liquids can be.
Treating Hot Liquid Burns
Not all liquids are created equal. Chemical liquids must be handled different than normal water (or other common liquids). This article will deal with the more common types.
First, when dealing with a hot water (or similar) burn, cleanse the area with cool (not intensely cold) water. Do this for about 15 minutes. Avoid the use of ointments or butter right away. If the skin begins to blister, do not attempt to remove the blisters by yourself. Cover the surface with a clean fabric, preferably thin, breathable surgical cloth.
Next assess the likely level of severity for the burn -
1st degree burn - redness and minor pain
2nd degree burn - redness, blistering, and some involvement of nerve damage
3rd degree burn - charring and noticeable damage to the skin
4th degree burns - damaged muscle, tendon, and ligament tissue. charring and extreme damage to the skin
1st degree burns are generally considered mild and rarely require immediate medical attention. However, burns to the hands, feet, face, and genitals are almost always considered "critical" burns and should be looked at properly. Err on the side of caution when determining if your burn needs medical attention. If blistering occurs, have the area treated by a professional practitioner.
Legal Recourse for Burns in the Workplace
Burns are a very serious issue, and treatment can range from precautionary to reconstructive surgery. Many times these burns occur through no direct fault of the victim.
If you believe you are in a situation where you were burned due to the negligence of coworkers or the company you work with, or simply through accidental circumstances while on the job, you may have legal rights to get compensated for your treatment and suffering. This can be true whether on the company campus or out in the field.
The most important thing to do is get a consultation from a professional lawyer who specializes in burn cases. Find an attorney near you who has a proven track record and who takes a vested interest in the well being of his/her clients.
