Burning injuries can be catastrophic and debilitating, requiring a long and costly recovery process. Even those who recover might suffer from long-term effects such as scars, chronic pain, and physical limitations, which is why wage earners in New Jersey may receive compensation for burn injuries.
The procedure for obtaining worker’s compensation for burn injuries sustained on the job is similar to other claims. You’ll need to be an employee rather than an independent contractor, and the injury must occur while you’re on the clock working. Additionally, you must report the injury to your supervisor in a timely manner. Those that follow these simple guidelines should be eligible to file their claim.
Depending on where you work, some employers will want you to speak with their company physician and you should do this immediately unless the burning damage you’ve sustained is serious and requires outside medical treatment.
Which Burning Injuries Are Covered in New Jersey?
Multiple types of burn injury are covered in the State of New Jersey, which include:
- Electrical burns: Workers who have been exposed to dangerous energy sources during their employment, such as faulty electrical cables and equipment.
- Burns from explosions: Those that work in the construction, industrial, or chemical sector regularly have to handle substances that might be flammable and susceptible to explosions that can cause 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns.
- Chemical burns: Any employee who handles chemicals may sustain burns that are agonizing, especially if they work with cleaning or industrial grade products on a daily basis.
- Smoke Inhalation: The inhalation of smoke is classified as a burn injury in New Jersey; because once it enters a person’s lungs it can cause a number of severe respiratory problems.
- Thermal burns: These are burns that result from physical contact with heating sources, like industrial vats or mufflers. While these aren’t the most severe burns one can sustain, those that get them may still be eligible for payment.
Why Comprehensive Diagnosis Is Important
When pursuing worker’s compensation, you should always get a comprehensive diagnosis. The reason for this is because burning injuries can produce varying levels of damage, which can make you vulnerable to bacterial infection along with extensive psychological and physical consequences. At a minimum, these losses are partially covered under the state’s worker’s compensation, but employees will need to collaborate with their attorneys to make sure their benefits are appropriately calculated, and this is why comprehensive diagnosis is needed.
Types of New Jersey Workers’ Compensation
New Jersey Workers’ Compensation comes in four types, which are total temporary disability benefits, total permanent disability benefits, healthcare benefits, and partial permanent disability benefits. The healthcare benefits will cover the price for your actual treatment for the burns and any additional complications. The other three benefits are designed to cover the income loss that you’ll sustain during your rehabilitation. Depending on your progression, the benefits will be permanent total or partial.