Did you suffer a burn injury at a jobsite in Harrisburg, PA? You could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses and lost income. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule a free consultation with a Harrisburg workplace burn injury attorney.
We have over 120 years of experience helping injured workers access the benefits they need. With tens of millions of dollars recovered, our legal team is ready to stand by you and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Call (717) 231-1640 for help today.
Why Choose Marzzacco Niven & Associates to Handle My Workplace Burn Injury Claim?
Workers’ compensation claims in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, are highly technical. For injuries like burns, where an injured worker may suffer temporary or permanent disability, they can be even more complicated. You deserve an experienced Harrisburg workers’ compensation lawyer to help get you the benefits you need to get your life back on track.
Here’s why Marzzacco Niven & Associates is the right firm to help you:
- We have over a century of experience in handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, including those involving burn injuries.
- We have been recognized by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers.
- We have recovered substantial compensation on behalf of our clients.
- We know Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws, administrative processes, and local courts.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Harrisburg personal injury lawyer. We’ll fight to protect your rights.
What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are classified into three major categories: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree.
First-Degree Burns
These burns only affect the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Symptoms include redness, pain, and minor swelling. They usually heal within a week, often without leaving a scar.
Second-Degree Burns
These extend into the second layer of skin (dermis). Blistering, intense pain, and swelling are common. Because the tissue damage is more severe, healing takes longer, and scarring or pigment changes often occur.
Third-Degree Burns
The most severe form, third-degree burns penetrate all layers of the skin and often extend into underlying tissues, such as fat, muscle, or bone. The burned area may appear white, blackened, or charred. Nerve damage may render the area numb.
Treatment typically involves skin grafts, surgery, and a lengthy rehabilitation process. Such injuries often leave permanent scarring and functional impairment.
Burn injuries can also feature multiple degrees (e.g., a burn that is third degree in one area and second degree in another). Some burns may involve inhalation injury, chemical burns, or electrical burns, which complicate recovery and legal claims.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Burn Injury at Work in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a workplace burn injury typically falls under the workers’ compensation system. That system provides benefits without needing to prove your employer was at fault for your injuries. However, in certain situations, you may also pursue a third-party claim when someone other than your employer is liable.
Workers’ compensation benefits provide money for:
- Medical expenses, including surgeries, skin grafts, medications, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.
- Wage loss benefits
- Specific loss and impairment awards
- Rehabilitation and vocational training
You are generally entitled to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to the statutory maximum) while you are disabled and unable to work. If your burn results in permanent damage, disfigurement, or loss of function, there may be additional disability benefits available.
Workers’ compensation does not provide damages for pain and suffering or emotional distress. These damages are generally only available through a third-party personal injury claim.
Personal Injury Claims
When someone other than your employer contributed to your workplace accident, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit to recover additional damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- More extensive damages for permanent disability or disfigurement
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence
Third-party negligence may involve contractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners, to name a few. An experienced Harrisburg workplace accident attorney can help you assess whether a third-party claim is available for your situation.
What Workplace Accidents Cause Burn Injuries in Harrisburg?
Burns at work can arise in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, or even office settings.
Common causes include:
- Fires and explosions from faulty wiring, flammable materials, defective machinery, or gas leaks
- Electrical accidents involving contact with live wires, malfunctioning equipment, or arc flashes
- Hot liquids, steam, or gases affecting workers in kitchens, manufacturing plants, chemical plants, or boiler rooms
- Chemical burns resulting from contact with acids, bases, solvents, or corrosive materials that can cause severe tissue damage
- Radiation and thermal burns from welding, cutting torches, ovens, furnaces, or other heat sources that can cause burns due to extreme heat or radiant energy
Burn injuries are often catastrophic. Pursuing every type of compensation, from workers’ comp to third-party personal injury lawsuits, is critically important in these cases.
Contact Our Harrisburg Workplace Burn Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Recovering from a workplace burn injury is difficult enough without facing complicated legal rules or underpaid settlements. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we are ready to help you protect your rights and navigate the road to recovery.
Reach out to us today to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Harrisburg workplace burn injury attorney and let us advocate for your rights, allowing you to focus on your recovery.