A burn injury compensation claim can arise out of a number of different situations most often in the home or in the workplace. A scald or a burn is usually caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals or radiation. Scalds are mostly caused by spillages of hot liquids and burns are usually caused by exposure to flames or very hot objects. Electrical burns are less common and radiation burns are extremely rare.
Over 100,000 people attend A&E every year with a burn or a scald. In addition to the hospital attendances a further 250,000 people visit their GP with similar problems. About 8,000 people are admitted to hospital every year and of these about 200 will die from their injuries. Only a small percentage of these injuries will give rise to a burn injury compensation claim due to the necessity to prove a negligent action on the part of someone else.
One interesting possibility of a burn injury compensation claim arises in the case of a child who is injured by scalding or burning. Many of these accidents are due to the child being improperly supervised whilst in the care of parents at home. A child in this situation can in fact sue the parents for compensation and if there is in force a valid policy of household insurance it is likely that the insurers will settle the claim. This is an important scenario bearing in mind that children under 5 years old account for nearly 45% of all severe burns and scalds victims with about 50% of these accidents happening in the kitchen of which most occur with children less than 5 years of age reaching up and pulling a mug or cup of hot drink on to himself or herself.
Scald and burn accidents are very common in the workplace where the incidence of hot and caustic liquids including molten metal is high in certain industries :-
Mr. X received £80,000 in compensation when he suffered severe burns as a result of an electrocution whilst at work. This was as a result of electrical equipment being not fully turned off and isolated from the power supply before he started work.
Mr. A received an out of court settlement when he sustained caustic soda burns to his hand and arm leaving him with permanent unsightly scarring. The accident occurred as a result of a splash from an aqueous sodium hydroxide bath used to degrease metal parts. Strong, concentrated alkali entered his inadequate gloves causing severe burning. Liability was established on the basis that better safety equipment should have been provided including longer gauntlet style gloves.
Umbrella Claims is a specialist organisation that deals exclusively with accident compensation claims on a No Win No Fee basis. Win or lose there is no charge*. This means that you never have to pay anything to us or our personal injury solicitors. All compensation received of whatever nature is paid to you in full without any deduction whatsoever - absolutely guaranteed. We will minimalise any inconvenience to you and we offer free advice without obligation from some of the best lawyers in the business. We ensure that our client’s interests are a priority and our lawyers deal with claims in a friendly, efficient and competent manner to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve in the shortest time scale possible.