If you are interested in making a chemical burn at work compensation, you might be unsure where to start. In this guide, we aim to explain everything you need to know about making a claim for a chemical burn in the workplace and the personal injury claims process.
We’ll talk about the criteria for making a valid claim and the duty of care owed to you by your employer. Then, our guide will talk about different types of substances that cause chemical burns, and how your employer could prevent such injuries.
Then, we’ll talk about some of the most important steps in the accident at work claims process. These include collecting evidence to strengthen your claim, and negotiating a settlement that covers all of your losses.
Finally, we’ll talk about how one of our expert accident at work solicitors could help you make your claim. Our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis, and we’ll explain what this means a little later on in the guide.
Contact Us
To find out if one of our personal injury claim solicitors could help you, or to learn more about the claims process, get in touch with our team by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8801
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Browse Our Guide
- Can I Claim Chemical Burn At Work Compensation?
- What Substances Can Lead To A Chemical Burn?
- How Could My Employer Prevent A Chemical Burn?
- How Do I Claim For A Chemical Burn In The Workplace?
- Chemical Burn At Work Compensation Payouts
- Make A No Win No Fee Chemical Burn At Work Claim
- Read More About Accident At Work Claims
Can I Claim Chemical Burn At Work Compensation?
In order to make any kind of accident at work claim, you need to be able to show that negligence has occurred. This means that:
- Your employer owes you a duty of care
- They breached this duty
- You were injured as a result
All employees are owed a duty of care by their employer, and this is outlined under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). Basically, this means that employers need to make sure that their employees are safe while they’re working.
We’ll talk a bit more about what this can entail and what your employer could do to prevent chemical burns in the workplace a bit later on in this guide.
If you would like to find out whether or not you could claim, contact our team today. Or, read on to find out what substances could cause a chemical burn at work.
What Substances Can Lead To A Chemical Burn?
There are many different kinds of substances that can cause chemical burns, including:
- Bleach
- Battery acid
- Ammonia
- Paint thinner
- Drain, oven, and surface cleaners
- Acids, like sulfuric or hydrochloric acid
- Certain fertilizers and pesticides
These kinds of chemicals can be found in a number of workplaces, from hairdressing salons to agricultural work. Keep reading for more information, or contact our team to find out if you could be eligible for compensation.
How Could My Employer Prevent A Chemical Burn?
One of the main pieces of legislation in place to protect workers from chemical burns is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, or COSHH. This legislation outlines some of the steps that your employer is expected to take to prevent chemical burns and other injuries, including:
- Risk assessments: Employers should undertake risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks caused by employees handling dangerous substances
- Monitor and control exposure: Make sure employees aren’t exposed to substances when it isn’t necessary, and monitor when they are.
- Provide training: Employers should make sure that they provide free and adequate training to employees required to handle hazardous substances.
If you have suffered a chemical burn because your employer breached their duty of care and didn’t take any of these steps, contact our team today and find out if you could make a claim.
How Do I Claim For A Chemical Burn In The Workplace?
There are many steps involved in making a claim, but one of the most important steps in the chemical burn at work compensation claims is collecting evidence.
When you put forward any kind of claim, the responsibility is on you to prove that negligence occurred. You can do this with evidence such as:
- Photographs of the burns or the chemicals that caused them
- CCTV footage of the accident that caused your burns
- The contact details of anyone who witnessed the burns occurring
- Reports of the accident taken from the accident book
- Medical records that show how severe the burns are
Who Pays Compensation For A Chemical Burn Injury?
A lot of people hesitate to make a claim because they don’t want to put any financial strain on their employer. This is a common misconception, but your employer doesn’t actually pay out your compensation.
All employers are required to have Employers’ Liability insurance, so if you make a claim, the compensation will come from their insurer. If you’d like to learn more about claiming against your employer for a health and safety breach, contact us today.
Chemical Burn At Work Compensation Payouts
If you make a successful chemical burn at work compensation claim, you will receive general damages. This is the first of two potential heads of compensation that can come together to form a final payout.
All successful claimants get this head of claim because it covers the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. It also covers loss of amenity, which means loss of enjoyment in your hobbies. For example, if you suffer severe burns on your face, this could cause significant and permanent scarring that makes you anxious to go out and enjoy your usual activities.
When this head of claim is calculated, reference is often made to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) which lists guideline compensation brackets that, while not guaranteed, can be a good jumping-off point.
In the table below, you can take a look at some examples of these guidelines. Please note that the first bracket listed isn’t a JCG figure.
| Injury | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries and special damages | Up to £1,000,000+ | A combination of severe injuries and financial losses, like lost earnings |
| Burns Covering 40% or More of the Body | Likely to exceed £127,930 | A lot of different factors affect this bracket, including the severity of the burns and how many there are. |
| Very Severe Facial Scarring | £36,340 to £118,790 | A very disfiguring effect on a young person with a psychological reaction. |
| Less Severe Facial Scarring | £21,920 to £59,090 | There is a substantial cosmetic and psychological effect. |
| Significant Facial Scarring | £11,120 to £36,720 | Plastic surgery reduces the worst cosmetic effects of these burns. |
| Less Significant Facial Scarring | £4,820 to £16,770 | There is only a small effect. |
| A Number of Noticeable Laceration Scars or One Single Disfiguring Scar | £9,560 to £27,740 | Either a number of very noticeable scars, or one significant scar of leg(s) or arm(s) or hand(s) or back or chest fall in the bracket. |
| Dermatitis a) | £16,770 to £23,430 | Dermatitis on both hands which affects employability. |
| Dermatitis b) | £10,550 to £13,930 | Dermatitis affecting one hand or both that settles with use of gloves or treatment. |
Can I Claim For The Long-Term Impact Of Severe Chemical Burns?
Severe chemical burns can have a significant long-term effect on your finances, and this effect is addressed by special damages. This is the second head of compensation, and can help you claim back the cost of things like lost earnings from taking time off work to recover, as well as the cost of:
- Childcare
- Prescriptions
- Cosmetic surgery
- Mobility aids
- Prosthetics
- Home adjustments
- Counselling
- Rehabilitation
Contact our team of advisors today to learn more about accident at work claims.
Make A No Win No Fee Chemical Burn At Work Claim
So, why should you make a claim with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors? While there is no legal obligation to make a claim with a solicitor, it can make the process seem much less stressful, and easier to understand.
For example, one of our accident at work solicitors could help you:
- Collect evidence and strengthen your claim
- Understand and explain legal terminology and jargon
- Stay updated on the progression of your case
- Negotiate a settlement
- Prepare for trial if negotiations fail
And they can do all of this on a No Win No Fee basis. Thanks to a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you don’t need to pay any upfront or ongoing fees for their service. Likewise, if the claim fails, you won’t pay anything for your chemical burn injury claims solicitor’s work.
If it succeeds, then a success fee is due. This is a small percentage of your compensation, which your solicitor takes directly. However, the percentage they are allowed to take is capped by law.
Contact Us
Our team are here to help, and can answer any questions you might have about making a chemical burn at work compensation claim. Through a free consultation, they can provide further information, and could even connect you with one of our specialist personal injury solicitors.
Get started today by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8801
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Read More About Accident At Work Claims
For more helpful personal injury guides:
- Learn how to claim for an injury while working on a roof
- Find out how to claim if a colleague injured you at work
- Get advice on claiming if you slipped on ice at work
Or, to get more information:
- General guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Learn how to request CCTV footage of yourself
- Advice on acid and chemical burns from the NHS
Thank you for reading our guide on chemical burn at work compensation.
