Boston Lawyer for Workers’ Comp Claims from Burns
Burns are some of the most painful, long-lasting, and severe injuries that a person can suffer. Along with direct exposure to flames, burns could also be caused by exposure to chemicals, friction, or even radiation. If you have suffered harm resulting from a burn while on the job or in a non-work-related accident, you could benefit from speaking with legal counsel about burn injuries and Boston workers’ compensation claims.
If your damages are the result of someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, you may have a legal right to seek compensation. However, navigating the legal system alone could be challenging under any circumstances, and especially when you are also dealing with trauma. a compassionate workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you gather sufficient evidence and build a strong compensation claim for your damages.
No-Fault Workers’ Comp Coverage in Boston
Unlike in a lawsuit, a workers’ compensation claim could be successful regardless of who is to blame for the injury, since workers’ comp insurance provides no-fault coverage. In practice, this means a worker in Boston who suffers a serious burn injury at work does not need to prove anyone specifically at fault for that injury in order to recover compensation.
For example, if a waiter drops a hot bowl of soup or a cup of coffee on themselves and experiences a burn, he or she could have grounds for a claim if they are an employee and they were acting in the course of their employment at the time of the accident. an experienced attorney could help a claimant investigate the sources of his or her damages and pursue compensation through the workers’ compensation system.
Damages to Recover in a Burn Injury Case
Burns are classified into three levels of severity, each of which presents doctors and patients with differing challenges. While first-degree burns are usually superficial injuries that affect only the topmost layer of skin, third-degree burns often leave tissue destroyed and result in severe disfigurement.
As such, a worker filing for compensation may seek recovery for subsequent medical bills and treatment, lost income suffered in the accident, and payments for any permanent loss of workability or visible scarring to the face, neck or hands he or she endured. In a civil lawsuit, a claimant may also be able to request compensation for non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Disagreements Over Damages
In some cases, doctors and insurance companies may disagree as to how an injury might affect a burn victim’s future job prospects. When this happens, the insurance company may offer a compensation package that is inadequate for that individual’s needs.
If this happens to you while seeking workers’ comp in Boston, you could file a claim with the Department of Industrial Accidents. a workers’ compensation lawyer could work with you to evaluate your claim and file the necessary paperwork to get you the payments that you deserve.
Statute of Limitations
While you have a legal right to seek compensation after a burn injury attributable to someone else’s negligence, there is a time limit on when a compensation claim must be filed. In Massachusetts, a personal injury claimant has three years to file a lawsuit against the person responsible for causing the burn injury through their negligence. In Massachusetts, a claimant seeking workers’ compensation benefits has four years from the date of the incident which resulted in his or her injury to file a claim.
This is known as the statute of limitations and outlined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 152 § 41. While there are exceptions to this rule, it is advisable that you act within this timeframe to avoid dismissal of your case.
Get Professional Help with a Boston Workers’ Comp Claim Regarding a Burn Injury
After suffering trauma from a serious burn on the job or outside of work, it may be difficult to focus on your economic recovery. However, as medical bills and other expenses mount, it is important to consider your legal options.
If you suffered a burn injury as the result of someone’s negligence, you could benefit from the aid of a compassionate lawyer. Dedicated legal counsel could take the lead in filing a Boston workers’ compensation claim or civil injury lawsuit, while you focus on your recovery. For more information about how an attorney could help, call today.
