Burn and laceration injuries are painful and distressing and can cause permanent scarring. Burns, either from exposure to heat, electricity or chemicals, are particularly painful, and even a small burn or scald can remain painful for a long period of time.

More serious burns and scalds can cause nerve, tendon, ligament and muscle damage, and can result in significant psychological harm and distress.

What are the common causes of burns and scarring?

Burn injuries are common in the workplace and are a particular risk for those working in industrial plants and heavy industry such as steelworks. Those who work in professional kitchens are also 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 are common in the workplace, particularly for those working with machines in a factory or warehouse. They occur when the body comes into contact with a moving sharp object, and can also happen as a result of a fall or a road traffic accident.

Scarring can result due to burn and laceration injuries. Scarring can leave people with severe physical abnormalities, affecting their confidence and impacting their psychological well-being.

The length of time it takes to settle burn injury and scarring claims depend on 3 factors; whether the other party admits they were at fault, the severity of your injuries, and the amount and complexity of your losses. Burn and scarring injuries can be serious and a final decision about the level of compensation cannot be made until the long term appearance of the scar is known.