What to Do if You Suffer a Burn Injury at a Chemical Plant?

If you suffer a burn injury at a chemical plant, the injuries you suffer may be catastrophic. If you suffered a burn injury at a chemical plant, you should seek immediate medical attention, document your injuries, and contact a New Orleans burn injury lawyer as soon as you can.

By taking the right steps after your chemical plant burn injury, you can maximize your financial compensation and start to put this traumatic event behind you. Here is more about what to do if you suffer a burn injury at a chemical plant and how our team can help you get through these difficult times.

Contact Emergency Responders for Help

Immediately after suffering your burn injuries in a chemical plant, make sure emergency responders are called for help. Severe injuries should not be treated in chemical plants alone. You are going to want healthcare providers at the accident scene as soon as possible to ensure you can get the medical treatment you need.

In some cases, it may also be wise to contact law enforcement officials. You may want to file a formal report if someone else intentionally caused the accident you were involved in. Police can file accident reports that can be used to help establish and support liability.

Your New Orleans personal injury lawyer can get copies of these records as we build your case against whoever is responsible. You may also want to include a copy of the police report when filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. You are going to need as much evidence as possible to support your case if you hope to maximize your benefits and compensation.

Start to Collect Supporting Evidence

While you wait for emergency responders to arrive, do what you can to start collecting evidence. Burn injuries are known for being excruciatingly painful. You may not be able to do anything other than wait for the ambulance to arrive, and that is 100% OK.

However, if you are capable of collecting evidence, now is a great time to do so. Our accident reconstructionists will benefit from having photos of the scene where the accident occurred. You should also take photos of your injuries and video of any property damages, as these can also be used to help establish blame.

If you can, get the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. If you work at the chemical plant, you may already know many of these colleagues. Your New Orleans catastrophic injury lawyer with Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers can reach out to them and see if their testimony could prove valuable in supporting your case at trial.

Get Medical Attention

Even if your injuries do not seem catastrophic, do not wait to get medical help. Even seemingly minor chemical burn injuries can be far more devastating than you realize. This is, in part, because your body may be in shock after suffering such a serious injury.

Your body may be preventing you from feeling the full extent of your injuries, so you may not be in any real pain at the moment. However, as soon as your body begins to relax and succumb to the full impact of your burns, you may find your condition rapidly deteriorating. It is crucial that you are receiving medical care during this time.

These medical records can be used to establish the severity of the injuries you have suffered. Your medical bills can help prove the value of your chemical plant burn injury claim. Getting medical attention immediately after the accident also prevents the liable party from accusing you of embellishing the severity of your injuries.

Report the Accident to Your Employer

Do not forget to report your accident to your employer. Your employer must be notified within 30 days of the accident if you are going to be seeking workers’ compensation benefits, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s Workers’ Compensation Dos & Don’ts Brochure. You do not have to rely on your employer alone to file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits either.

If you fail to report the accident to your employer within 30 days, they could have just cause to challenge your request for workers’ compensation benefits.

Since your employer will likely face increased workers’ compensation insurance premiums if you receive workers’ comp benefits, it is not unusual for employers to discourage their employees from seeking workers’ comp.

Fortunately, you can protect yourself by having your legal advocate notify your employer on your behalf as soon as possible after the accident.

Consider Your Legal Options

Keep your legal options open. There are several potential avenues that you may be able to take advantage of to seek the fair compensation you deserve. First, if your burn injuries occurred while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Most employers in Louisiana are required to carry workers’ comp according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, even if they only have one employee. You should be able to request benefits that cover your medical expenses, a portion of your lost income, and potentially vocational rehabilitation benefits. However, this is not your only opportunity for legal recourse.

You may also have the right to file a personal injury claim. Keep in mind that when workers’ compensation covers you, you give up your right to file a claim against your employer. However, if someone other than your employer is responsible for causing your injuries, you can still file a civil claim against them.

Consult a Reputable Chemical Plant Burn Injury Attorney for Help Today

Your burn injuries may be excruciatingly painful and profoundly impact your ability to pick up the pieces of your life. During these challenging times, you are going to need a compassionate and highly experienced personal injury lawyer to help you bring liable parties to justice and access the compensation and benefits you are entitled to. 

You do not need to go through your recovery alone with Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers advocating for your rights. With 30+ years of trial experience and a passion for client advocacy, you can feel empowered with our legal team on your side. 

We will carefully review how your chemical plant burn injuries occurred and your status with the chemical plant to determine which legal options are available in your case. Reach us through our online contact form or by phone to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.