Construction workers around Spokane already put their bodies through stress and strain to get a project done. They have to manage the soreness and exhaustion that comes with the job, but it’s up to the construction company and supervisors to keep them safe from harm in the work environment.
This should be a priority on any job site, but construction still remains one of the most dangerous occupations in America. The threats lie in every direction and can even be sitting in containers and barrels. One such hazard comes in the form of burns. A burn can be caused by an open flame, a chemical substance, or even a piece of equipment.
Burn Dangers Across the Construction Industry
An article published in The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation found that construction zones were the site of 13% of all burns that led to deaths in workplace accidents.
The threat can be from a simple open flame or heated steel surfaces on equipment. These injuries can send workers into shock. They can be left with an expensive and painful recovery and wondering if the accident could have been prevented with better attention to safety on the job site. A Spokane construction accident attorney with CCD Law can help you determine who might be held responsible for your injuries and if a lawsuit can help you get the compensation you’ll need in recovery.
Common Types of Burns on Site
Burns on construction sites can come from many sources. Some of them may not appear to be burn hazards, but a construction company should know the dangers and should be warning its employees about them.
The three major threats for burn injury are:
- Thermal burns- These can be caused by a flash fire from explosions of natural gas, propane, and gasoline. Scalding burns can come hot liquids such as water, oil, grease, and tar. Contact burns can be caused by overheating equipment or any superheated metal or glass.
- Chemical burns- These injuries are caused by acids or alkali substances. They continue to burn skin and tissue until they are rendered inert by another substance.
- Electrical burns- These injuries are caused by electrical current passing through the body. The severity of a burn cannot be determined from the external injury alone because internal tissue can also be damaged.
Who can be Held Responsible in a Construction Accident?
Injuries can leave third-degree burns and they can be particularly painful and difficult to recover from. A third-degree wound can require intravenous fluids, pain medication, antibiotics, skin grafting, and reconstructive surgery.
The recovery can be even more traumatic if you feel your employer could’ve done more to protect you from the hazard that left you in this condition. Holding them legally responsible may be your only option to get help paying for your considerable losses.
An accident at a construction site can make for a complex case when determining who is liable. There can be many parties at-fault in a claim for damages. Anyone involved in the construction project including sub-contractors, property owners, developers, and even the manufacturer of malfunctioning equipment can share in the blame.
With all of these things to consider, a construction accident attorney can be of great help to make sure you get the maximum compensation to cover your physical, emotional, and financial losses.
Construction Site Burn Injury Compensation
Washington law provides up to three years after an accident for a worker to file a claim for damages. It is not recommended to wait long to file your claim because the more time that passes after an accident the harder it will be to collect evidence, locate witnesses, and retrieve the documents you’ll need to build a strong case.
If your employers are found at fault, state law allows for compensation for the injured person. A worker can be awarded financial restitution for many of the losses and hardships suffered during recovery:
- Medical Bills
- Rehab treatment/equipment
- Travel
- Lost time from work (Including the expected future lost time)
- Permanent disability/disfigurement
- Pain and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium (Being without the support of a spouse, partner, family member, etc.)
It’s important to remember that Workers’ Compensation only goes so far. It can sometimes cover medical bills and lost wages but doesn’t consider mental anguish that you and your family have been through. An experienced attorney can help navigate these questions with you.
Contact a Spokane Construction Accident Lawyer
If you were injured on the job in a burn-related accident, you should focus on your medical recovery. Let a local construction accident attorney face off against insurance companies and their lawyers to get all the compensation you and your family will need to return to a normal life.
Established in Spokane in 1948, Crary & Domanico, P.S. is committed to providing our clients with the absolute highest quality legal representation. If our Spokane Construction Accident Lawyers represent you for your accident case, you have our assurance that we will use our absolute best efforts to win your case. Contact us after any accident resulting in a serious injury for a free, confidential consultation and case evaluation. We will only offer you advice which is in your best interest.
