If you work in an environment that contains high heat, chemicals, electrical equipment or heavy machinery, you may be at greater risk of obtaining burns and lacerations, leading to permanent scarring.

Your employer has a duty of care to look after your well being, through minimising risk, whilst you are in the workplace. If your employer fails in any way to follow the appropriate health and safety protocols, and you suffer an injury as a consequence, you could be entitled to compensation.

Common causes of burns, lacerations and scarring at work

Burn Injuries: People who work in professional kitchens, in industrial plants and in heavy industry such as steelworks are prone to burn injuries. Common causes of burn injuries include:

• Exposure to corrosive chemicals.
• Handling hot liquids or exposure to hot surfaces without proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Contact with exposed electrical wires.

Laceration Injuries: A laceration is a wound that is caused by the tearing of soft body tissue. Lacerations tend to cause irregular and serrated cuts and scarring. People who work with machinery in warehouses and factories are at risk of laceration injuries. Common causes of laceration injuries include:

• When the body comes into contact with a blade or moving machinery part.
• Slips, trips and falls.

Scarring: Scarring is the result of a burn or laceration injury. Permanent scarring can lead to not only physical damage but also psychological harm and distress. You may be eligible to make a claim if it can be proven that your burn or laceration injury was caused as a direct consequence of your employer failing to provide you with:

• A safe workplace.
• Adequate training.
• Safe ways of working.
• Safe equipment.
• Proper safety clothing (PPE).

If your employer has failed to meet these responsibilities and that led to you suffering an injury at work, you will be entitled to compensation for those injuries and any financial losses, such as lost earnings.