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Burn injuries are more common than one would hope in Texas workplaces and can cause extremely damaging injuries to workers. Many burn victims often require surgeries to repair damaged skin and muscles, resulting in significant medical bills and lost wages.
Fortunately, our workplace burn injury attorneys know how to handle these complex cases. There are countless dangerous industries throughout Texas. As such, workers can sustain many types of burn injuries depending on their job. Because Texas is home to many oil and chemical companies, burn injuries are more likely to occur here.
For your free case review with our attorneys for workplace burn injuries, contact The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 today.
Common Types of Workplace Burn Injuries in Texas
Workers can suffer from numerous types of workplace burn injuries in Texas. Fortunately, our attorneys for workplace burn injuries have the experience to help you recover the compensation you deserve, no matter the burn injuries you suffer. Whether you sustained minor burns or severe injuries, you deserve compensation if your injuries occurred at work. The following are the most common burns that happen in Texas workplaces:
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns are caused by exposure to extreme heat, such as from a fire or hot liquid. The extent of the injury depends on how long the skin was exposed, how high the temperature was, and how much skin was exposed. Thermal burns are common in Texas workplace accidents and can be caused by defective steam pipes, boilers, or radiators. Thermal burns can also be caused by heated tools and machinery still hot from recent use. The most extreme thermal burns can also occur in an explosion, like in the oil industry. In many cases, thermal burn injuries are extremely painful and require skin grafts to repair the damaged skin.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns in Texas workplaces occur when an electric current passes through a person’s body. This type of burn usually appears white or charred black in color with an irregular shape. Electrical burns can cause severe damage to muscles, nerves, and tendons. Electrical burns can also result in death if they affect the heart or brain. Many workers in Texas are exposed to electrical wires and power stations at their jobs, making electrical burns unfortunately commonplace. Thus, employees should always wear the appropriate protection, including goggles and heat-resistant gloves, to reduce their risk of injury.
Chemical and Caustic Burns
Chemical and caustic burns are injuries that occur when the skin is exposed to chemicals like acids, bases, or other chemical compounds. Chemicals can easily damage both the outermost layer of skin and the deeper layers of the skin. If a chemical penetrates deep enough, it can also damage underlying structures such as muscle, bone, nerves, and internal organs. Common chemicals injuring Texas workers include sodium hydroxide (lye), sulfuric acid, and hydrofluoric acid.
Caustic burns occur when alkalis, like soaps and detergents, come in contact with mucous membranes such as those lining the eyes or mouth. These substances are often found in industrial workplaces where chemicals are stored or used for cleaning purposes. When these substances come into contact with human skin, they react with it by either dissolving it or burning it away completely. The result is a deep open wound that may require stitches to close.
Cryogenic Burns
Cryogenic burns are caused by exposure to extremely cold temperatures, typically from liquid nitrogen or dry ice, like solid carbon dioxide. These types of burns appear white or gray with an irregular shape because they cause damage to cells in addition to freezing them solid. Besides being painful, these injuries can cause lasting damage to the skin and underlying muscles and tissue. Cryogenic burns can also lead to long-term nerve damage if not treated properly within 24 hours of exposure. In the worst cases, victims might need to have the injured area amputated because they have suffered too much frostbite damage.
Radiological Burns
Radiation burns are usually caused by overexposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation, like X-rays. They can occur in environments with high levels of sunlight, like the construction industry, or in medical or research facilities that use radiological equipment. They can also result from exposure to radioactive materials at power plants. Radiation burns will appear red, brown, or purple and may appear within hours of exposure. Depending on the severity of the burn, radiation burns can cause severe tissue damage and death, as radiation exposure can lead to acute forms of cancer. If you suspect you have been exposed to radiation, seek medical attention immediately.
Inhalation Burns
Inhalation burns are another common form of burn injury in Texas workplaces. Inhalation burns usually occur when someone breathes in hot gases or vapors that damage the lungs, throat, or mouth. Typical examples include smoke inhalation from fires, inhalation of toxic fumes from chemicals such as chlorine gas, and carbon monoxide poisoning from breathing exhaust fumes. Depending on how long you have been breathing in dangerous fumes or smoke, inhalation burns can cause serious and permanent damage to your lungs and airways.
Friction Burns
Friction burns often result when the skin comes into contact with a rough surface or sharp edge that causes damage to the outer layer of the skin. This type of injury often occurs when clothing is caught on machinery or equipment at work. They also commonly occur in work vehicle accidents.
High-Risk Occupations Where Workplace Burn Injuries are More Likely to Occur in Texas
While burn injuries can occur in virtually any workplace, they are more common in certain industries in Texas. The following are common industries where burn accidents are more likely to happen:
The Oil Industry
Workers in the Texas oil industry often work near high temperatures and pressure environments that can cause serious burns if not handled correctly. Workers must wear protective clothing, goggles, and other safety gear when working around these conditions. Accidents in the oil industry in Texas are common since it is one of the largest industries in the state. As such, these accidents can occur all over Texas, including off the coast working on an oil rig.
Chemical Plants
Chemical plants often use toxic chemicals that can cause severe burns if they come in contact with human skin or eyes. Explosions are also more likely to occur where dangerous and volatile chemicals are stored. Workers must wear protective clothing and properly ventilate areas where dangerous chemicals are stored or used to prevent chemical burns from occurring on site.
The Construction Industry
Construction sites are also potential sources of burn injuries due to the presence of high-temperature equipment. This includes welding, operating jackhammers, using pressure washers, and working with other heavy equipment.
Our Texas Attorneys for Workplace Burn Injuries Can Help
Call The Queenan Law Firm, P.C. at (817) 476-1797 to speak with our workplace burn injury lawyers and receive your free case evaluation.