[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/burned-work-entitled-compensation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/burned-work-entitled-compensation\/","headline":"Were You Burned at Work? Are You Entitled to Compensation?","name":"Were You Burned at Work? Are You Entitled to Compensation?","description":"What is the first type of accident that comes to mind when you think of workplace-related injuries? Machine entanglement? Falling objects? These are undoubtedly common types of injuries that occur in the workplace. But, did you know that burns are a significant type of workplace injury? Under New Jersey law, as long as you were… Continue reading Were You Burned at Work? Are You Entitled to Compensation?<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2018-02-22","dateModified":"2025-01-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/author\/dmlawyer\/#Person","name":"Dan T. Matrafajlo","url":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/author\/dmlawyer\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4cd7921c278b5fce01aa11ff8757760e046d90270e00964f697cbd173dee30a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4cd7921c278b5fce01aa11ff8757760e046d90270e00964f697cbd173dee30a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys Law LLC.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/logo.png","width":366,"height":74}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bigstock-First-Aid-Accident-At-Work-28396412.jpg","url":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/bigstock-First-Aid-Accident-At-Work-28396412.jpg","height":1600,"width":1067},"url":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/burned-work-entitled-compensation\/","about":["Burn Injury","Workers Compensation"],"wordCount":569,"articleBody":"What is the first type of accident that comes to mind when you think of workplace-related injuries? Machine entanglement? Falling objects? These are undoubtedly common types of injuries that occur in the workplace. But, did you know that burns are a significant type of workplace injury? Under New Jersey law, as long as you were burned in the course of your employment, you are likely entitled to workers\u2019 compensation benefits.Just how many workplace accidents involve burns? \u00a0According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration> approximately 5,000 workers are hospitalized each year due to burn injuries they suffered while on the job. \u00a0Unfortunately, an average of 200 of burn victims dies as a result of their injuries.All things considered, some professions are more in danger of sustaining burn injuries than others. \u00a0Without question, even though firefighters wear protective gear, they are at risk. \u00a0\u00a0Meanwhile, chemical burns are common in many industries, including auto repair and manufacturing plants. \u00a0Additionally, those involved in food preparation are also in jeopardy of hot substances causing serious burns.Workplace Burn Injuries and Worker\u2019s Compensation ClaimsWhen determining whether an injury is compensable, the law applies a few tests. \u00a0First, and foremost, is that the injury must have occurred during the course of employment. \u00a0The language of specifically states that compensation is available when the accident was \u201carising out of and in the course of\u2026 employment.\u201d \u00a0Meanwhile, there is a caveat.New Jersey workers\u2019 compensation benefits can be denied if there is evidence that the employee was \u2018willfully neglectful.\u201d \u00a0In many cases, this is a question for consideration to the court. \u00a0After all, it would be quite unusual for someone to do something that could result in a burn injury. \u00a0However, there is also the issue of one assuming a personal risk.Consider this case that made it up all the way to the New Jersey Supreme Court. \u00a0During an unpaid break, an employee lit a cigarette while still on the employer\u2019s premises. The employee\u2019s hair caught fire causing burn injuries to her scalp. After consideration of the facts, the Court ruled that smoking a cigarette on an unpaid break was unrelated to the victim\u2019s work and a personal risk. \u00a0Therefore, she was not awarded compensation.As you might guess, this type of case is more the exception than the norm. \u00a0In many cases, a burn may be related to a defective machine, or an electrical explosion or fire. \u00a0Injuries can be small or devastating. \u00a0There may be a need for lengthy hospitalizations and reconstructive surgery. \u00a0Even still, deformation is a real possibility.Workers\u2019 compensation benefits work for burn injuries as they do for other workplace accidents. \u00a0No doubt the first consideration is securing payment for medical bills. \u00a0Next, is compensation for lost wages, also known as temporary disability benefits. \u00a0Lastly, the injured worker may be entitled to either partial or total permanent disability payments.Were You Burned at Work?Workplace-related burn injuries aren\u2019t just devastating at the time they occur. Burns can leave you with lasting nerve damage that can cause lifelong pain and discomfort. If you or a loved one received burns in a workplace-related accident, it is critical that you seek the counsel of an attorney immediately. An attorney with experience in worker\u2019s compensation law can best advocate on your behalf. \u00a0Contact the Law Offices of Berinato & Matrafaljo to schedule a complimentary consultation."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Were You Burned at Work? Are You Entitled to Compensation?","item":"https:\/\/staging-dmlawyer2.wordkeeper.net\/burned-work-entitled-compensation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]