McAllen Burn Victims Severely Injured at Work

Oil and gas extraction is one of the city of McAllen’s top employers. While this industry offers some of the highest paying jobs in the area, it can also expose workers to potential risks for burn injuries. Natural gas explosions and fires on the oilfield can cause severe injuries, enormous medical costs, and even fatalities.

This is only one example of a potentially hazardous workplace for burn injuries. The reality is that there are hundreds of McAllen burn victims severely injured at work in many different industries. No matter the industry, McAllen workers deserve safe working conditions and fair compensation for any injuries sustained during the course of their employment.

Though there is some risk for burn injury in all workplaces, some workplaces are inherently more dangerous than others. Any of the following are more likely to sustain burn injuries during the course of their employment:

• Firefighters
• Electricians
• Food service workers
• Janitorial staff
• Drivers/truckers
• Oilfield workers

All employers must abide by OSHA guidelines in order to protect workers from potential hazards. If your employer fails to abide these guidelines and you are consequently injured, contact a McAllen work injury attorney to hold negligent employers accountable.

Categorizing your workplace burn injury can help your McAllen burn injury attorney identify liability in your personal injury claim. Some of the most common workplace burn injuries include:

• Chemical burns
  Many workers are regularly exposed to industrial-level chemicals in the course of their employment. Unsafe levels of exposure or a lack of protective gear can result in severe chemical burns.
• Thermal burns
  Some workplaces require employees to operate fossil fuel-burning equipment that can pose potential fire risks if not properly maintained or operated. Other employees may require frequent exposure to open flame. Thermal burns caused by open flame or searing liquid or gas are some of the most common workplace burn injuries.
• Friction burns
  Friction burns are caused by skin scraped against hard objects (such as asphalt, concrete, etc.). Workers who operate vehicles or heavy machinery such as forklifts are at an increased risk for this type of workplace burn injury.
• Electrical burns
  When electrical currents are not properly insulated or workers are not provided adequate protective gear, employees may suffer severe electrical burns. Electrical burns can inflict surface-level damage and disrupt cardiac rhythm.
• Smoke and gas inhalation
  During a workplace fire, workers are more likely to be injured by inhaling smoke and toxic gases than by burns. It is important that all workplaces have safe ventilation systems in order to avoid lung damage and asphyxiation.

Before contacting a burn injury lawyer, you may have questions concerning your eligibility to sue your employer. If you have accepted worker’s compensation from your employer, you are ineligible to seek further compensation.

However, you should contact a McAllen work injury attorney if:

• You have not yet accepted worker’s compensation
• Your employer did not offer worker’s compensation
• You were injured by a third party at your place of employment (another worker, outside contractor, vendor, etc.)

If you are still not sure whether you are eligible to file a burn injury lawsuit, contact a personal injury attorney to learn more about your specific burn injury claim.

If you have been injured in a workplace burn accident and are looking to explore your options, the McAllen burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw would be happy to address your questions and concerns.

To schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with the Texas burn injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw, call our office toll-free today at 1-800-862-1260 or fill out our contact form.