Unfortunately, burns can be a fairly common type of injury, and the nature of this type of physical damage means that they can take a long time to heal and are very painful in the meantime. Severe burns might require multiple skin grafts and surgeries and usually result in some level of scarring. Some of the most common types of accidents that cause burn injuries include:

• Workplace accidents such as in commercial kitchens, or burns caused by faulty electrics, chemicals or construction industry burns

• Road traffic accidents, when burns can occur due to hot liquids escaping from vehicles, faulty airbag inflation, friction or flames caused by the incident

• Fault products or appliances, usually electric or gas, which can cause fire and burns.

A common question we are asked is "How much compensation will I get for a burn at work", but unfortunately there is no straightforward answer as every situation is different. The amount of compensation for a burn claim will depend on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life.

Worker's compensation for burns is based on a number of factors, which include:

• How severe the burn is

• The long-term prognosis in relation to the burn injury

• How much the injury affects your day-to-day life e.g. ability to work or carry out normal daily tasks

• The suffering experienced because of the burn injury. This can take into account not only physical pain but also emotional pain and distress, especially if there will be permanent scarring or disfigurement due to the injury

In the same way as for workplace burns, compensation for burns caused by chemicals will also depend very much on the specific circumstances involved, including the degree and extent of the burn injury and the level of recovery expected in the future.

Compensation for burn injury claims not only includes a general award for the injury itself, but can also include recompense for any out-of-pocket expenses or financial loss suffered as a result of the injury, such as lost wages when undergoing treatment.

The Claimant attended a Salon for Laser hair removal treatment. During the procedure the Claimant sustained a laser burn injury.

It was the Claimant’s case that during the session the practitioner did not position themselves to the correct side of the claimant, so had no clear view of the area being targeted, resulting in the laser hitting an existing tattoo causing second degree burns. Prior to treatment the Practitioner had mapped out the area using a marker pen but had failed to keep the laser within the targeted area and had also failed to cover the existing tattoos to afford them protection from the laser. Following treatment, it was noted that the laser had burnt through the centre of the Claimant’s existing tattoo.

The Claimant suffered a 2nd degree laser burn injury causing pain and swelling for a period of 2 months.

The Claim was intimated in the MOJ Portal, and the Insurers admitted liability.

A pre-medical report offer was made in the sum of £2,700, plus the cost of touching up the existing tattoo which had been damaged. The offer was accepted.

The Claim was settled in under 3 months from the date of instruction.

The personal injury team at Forbes have a proven track record in achieving successful results for our clients who have suffered a burn that wasn't their fault. Whether it happened at work, as the result of a road traffic accident or in any other type of incident, our team can help you to make a claim for the maximum possible amount of compensation.