Severe Burn Injuries Sustained at a McAllen Workplace

If you have suffered from serious burns at a McAllen Texas workplace, you are likely wondering about your legal options. You will want to pursue legal action to help recoup the costs of extensive medical treatment and of lost wages during your lengthy recovery period, but filing a claim against an employer is an intimidating prospect. Should you hire a lawyer? What rights do you have? What is the correct move to make?

Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw can assist you. Our legal team has extensive experience helping clients like you pursue legal action due to severe burn injuries sustained at a McAllen workplace. For a free case review / initial consultation and to learn more about our services, fill out our online contact form or call us today at 1-800-862-1260.

McAllen Texas worksites such as manufacturing plants and oil refineries present several potential fire and burn hazards. If safety procedures and protocol are properly followed, workers should not be in any danger. However, even slight lapses of judgment on the part of management or ownership can pose a serious risk to employees.

If you have been injured through any of the following instances of workplace negligence, look into McAllen burn injury attorneys to find an experienced lawyer who can help you with a claim.

• Electrical fires due to faulty, poorly-inspected wiring
• Mechanical fires due to poorly-maintained or unsafely-operated machinery
• Chemical burns due to improperly contained or labeled caustic substances, or unsafe handling of those substances
• Oil fires and explosions due to unsafe containment or improper handling of combustible materials, or failure to properly enforce safety standards in the presence of those materials

All of the above can result from unsafe orders given by overseers, or by substandard hiring and training procedures. Negligence like this leaves employers vulnerable to personal injury claims.

If you are unsure whether or not your burns could be considered the result of negligence, an experienced McAllen work injury lawyer can advise you on the viability of a potential claim.

Workers’ comp and personal injury claims both present different benefits and drawbacks. A knowledgeable McAllen burn injury attorney can help you determine which is right for you.

First, you will have to determine whether you even have the option of choosing between a workers’ comp and personal injury claim. Texas employers are allowed to opt out of subscribing to workers’ comp insurance. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you will have no way of filing a workers’ comp claim. However, many employers offer workers’ comp on the grounds that employers waive the right to sue the company. If you are unsure what your options are, an attorney will be happy to schedule a free consultation to go over your contract.

A workers’ comp claim gives you the convenience of filing a claim internally with your company. Additionally, you do not have to prove your employer’s fault in order to receive benefits, so long as your injury was incurred while carrying out your work. However, you will only receive economic benefits and will not see compensation for your pain and suffering. Your employer also has the right to stop your workers’ comp payments contingent on your job performance.

If your employer does not subscribe to workers’ comp, a personal injury claim is your best option. You will most likely want a McAllen work injury lawyer to help you draft your claim, as you will need to make a compelling argument that your injuries resulted from negligence. While the process will be more difficult, you stand to receive more compensation, seeing your medical treatment covered and the noneconomic impacts of your burns financially addressed.

If you are ready to proceed with a claim, or if you need more advice before making a decision, contact the Texas personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw today.