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When we are at work and performing our work duties, we expect our employer to do everything they can to keep us safe, especially if we are working with dangerous chemicals. However, if your employer fails to abide by workplace health and safety laws, resulting in you suffering an injury, such as a chemical burn, you may be eligible to receive compensation. We understand that this may be a stressful time for you while you are recovering from your injury; that’s why our panel of solicitors here at Legal Helpline is here to help you through every stage of the chemical burn at work claims process.
As part of the process, our panel can ensure that you have compelling supporting evidence that proves your employer’s liability for the chemical burns you suffered. Additionally, they will make sure that all of your damages are considered when valuing your claim. This will include the physical pain and mental suffering caused by the chemical burn, with consideration to the effect it will have on your lifestyle as well as any associated financial hardships faced from lost wages to cosmetic surgery.
Our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors have years of experience helping their clients make accident at work claims. They could handle all communication with your employer and their insurance company, help you with gathering supporting evidence, and negotiate your final compensation settlement to be the highest it can be.
If you would like to receive free advice for your chemical burn injury claim, you can contact our friendly team of advisors today.
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- Can I Claim For A Chemical Burn At Work?
- Chemical Burn At Work Claims Examples
- What Types Of Chemical Burns Might Be Sustained At Work?
- What Industries Are Most At Risk From Chemical Burns?
- What Steps Should Be Taken To Prevent Employees From Being Burnt By Chemicals?
- Long-Term Effects Of Chemical Burns
- How Much Chemical Burn At Work Compensation Could Be Awarded?
- What Will I Need To Bring A Chemical Burn At Work Claim?
- Why Choose Legal Helpline’s Panel Of Solicitors To Claim For Workplace Chemical Burns?
- Can I Claim For Chemical Burns At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More
Can I Claim For A Chemical Burn At Work?
Yes, you could claim for a chemical burn at work, provided that your injury was caused by the negligent actions of your employer. Essentially, all chemical burn at work claims need to meet the following key criteria in order to be eligible:
- You Were Owed A Duty of Care
Your employer owes you a duty of care while you are in the workplace and completing your work duties. Per the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, your employer has a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure your health and safety, such as performing regular risk assessments. Additionally, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require employers to prevent or adequately control exposure to hazardous substances, such as chemicals, including bleach and hair dyes.
- That Duty of Care Was Breached
You must be able to show that your employer breached their duty of care. For example, your employer failed to provide you with proper training on how to safely handle workplace chemicals.
- You Suffered an Injury
In order to have a valid personal injury claim, you need to have suffered an injury. For example, due to not being provided with chemical safety training, this resulted in you suffering a burn at work.
To see if you have an eligible chemical injury claim, you can contact our advisors today to discuss your case.
Chemical Burn At Work Claims Examples
Some examples of chemical burn at work claims include accidents involving a lack of training, a lack of PPE, and a lack of risk assessments. Below, we explore these examples in more depth:
- Despite knowing you have received no training on how to safely handle chemicals, your employer instructs you to move a vat to another shelf. This causes the chemical to slosh onto your hands, resulting in a severe chemical burn.
- Your employer fails to provide you with safety goggles despite assessing that you need them. This results in you suffering a chemical burn in your eye, causing partial blindness.
- Your employer fails to perform regular risk assessments, meaning they failed to notice that containers containing chemicals were damaged. This resulted in the chemical leaking onto your arms, causing burns and leading to permanent scars.
These are only a few examples of how a chemical burn could be suffered in a workplace accident. To discuss your particular circumstances and to see if you have a valid compensation claim, you can contact our advisors today.
What Types Of Chemical Burns Might Be Sustained At Work?
Minor or severe chemical burns may be sustained at work due to direct contact, inhalation of fumes, or splashes, which may damage the skin, eyes, or internal tissues.
Examples of different types of chemicals that could cause workplace burns include:
- Alkali burns: These can cause liquefaction necrosis, allowing the chemical to penetrate deeply. Examples include:
- Sodium hydroxide – found in manufacturing detergents, industrial degreasers and drain cleaners.
- Ammonia – used in manufacturing, agriculture, and refrigeration systems.
- Acid burns: They can cause coagulative necrosis, which creates a barrier that limits deeper penetration. Examples include:
- Sulfuric acid – found in industrial cleaning agents and automotive batteries.
- Hydrochloric acid – commonly used in manufacturing, pool maintenance and metal cleaning.
- Industrial solvent and oxidiser burns: Examples could include:
- Paint strippers and removers – contain agents that can cause eye and skin damage.
- Bleach and sanitisers – common in healthcare, hospitality and janitorial roles.
These are only a few examples of the types of chemical burns that could be suffered in the workplace. To discuss your specific chemical burn and determine whether you may have a valid compensation claim, you can contact our advisors.
What Industries Are Most At Risk From Chemical Burns?
Various industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare, are at risk of chemical burns. Below, we have listed some examples of industries that may be most at risk of chemical burns:
- Manufacturing – particular textiles, metalworking and chemical processing.
- Beauty and Hairdressing – use of chemical treatments, bleach and hair dyes.
- Construction and Engineering – use of specialised materials and cleaners.
- Healthcare and Laboratories – exposed to chemicals, detergents and disinfectants.
- Agriculture and Farming – exposure to cleaning agents, pesticides and fertilisers.
- Cleaning and Janitorial – regular handling of bleach, strong acids and alkalis.
Regardless of what industry you work in, if you suffered a chemical burn due to your employer’s negligent actions, you may be eligible to claim compensation. To find out how a solicitor from our panel could help you make a personal injury claim, contact our advisors.
What Steps Should Be Taken To Prevent Employees Being Burnt By Chemicals?
Various steps should be taken to prevent employees from being burned by chemicals, such as by providing sufficient chemical handling training. Other examples include:
- Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – this could include safety goggles and protective gloves.
- Training – ensuring all employees have received proper training on how to handle and transport dangerous chemicals.
- Labelling – employers should ensure that all chemicals are properly labelled.
- Risk assessments – employers should perform regular risk assessments, such as ensuring chemicals are stored properly and safely.
If your employer fails to implement these safety steps, resulting in you suffering a chemical burn at work, you could be eligible to make a chemical injury compensation claim. To check if you have a valid claim, get in touch with our advisors.
Long-Term Effects Of Chemical Burns
Chemical burns could cause both physical and psychological long-term effects, from scarring to anxiety. Below, we list some examples:
- Scarring and disfigurement that may require cosmetic surgery.
- Vision loss, such as complete blindness or blurred vision.
- Nerve damage, such as numbness or tingling.
- Infections due to the damaged skin tissue.
- Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Suffering from long-term effects could also impact the amount of compensation you receive following a successful claim. To discuss the particulars of your case and receive a free valuation, you can contact our advisory team.
How Much Chemical Burn At Work Compensation Could Be Awarded?
How much chemical burn at work compensation you could be awarded will depend on the type and severity of the burn you have suffered, but you could potentially receive an amount likely to exceed £138,490 for burns that cover at least 40% of the body. This figure has been taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document often used by legal professionals when valuing personal injuries, as it contains compensation guidelines for a range of injuries.
The head of claim in which compensation for your injuries is awarded under is known as general damages. There is a second head of claim, called special damages, that we look at shortly.
In the table below, we have used some of the JCG’s figures to help you gain a clearer idea of what could be awarded under general damages for chemical burn at work claims. Please remember that these figures are guidelines only. Additionally, the top entry has not been taken from the JCG.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries with compensation for financial losses. | Compensation for suffering multiple severe injuries and associated financial losses such as medical treatments, lost earnings and rehabilitation fees. | Up to £500,000+ |
| Total Blindness | Complete loss of vision in both eyes. | In the region of £355,020 |
| Loss of Sight in One Eye with Reduced Vision in the Remaining Eye (i) | There is a serious risk of further deterioration in the remaining eye. | £126,820 to £237,510 |
| Complete Loss of Sight in One Eye | Loss of vision in one eye. | £65,090 to £72,440 |
| Severe Psychiatric Damage | Person will have problems coping with daily social and working life, and also future vulnerability. | £72,440 to £152,900 |
| Burns Covering 40% or More of the Body | Various factors, such as the cosmetic impact of the burns, will affect the amount awarded. | Likely to exceed £138,490 |
| A Number of Noticeable Laceration Scars or One Single Disfiguring Scar to the Body | To the legs, arms, back or chest. | £10,350 to £30,030 |
| Very Severe Facial Scarring | In relatively young claimants (teens to early 30s) where the cosmetic effect is very disfiguring. | £39,340 to £128,590 |
| Less Severe Facial Scarring | There is a significant psychological reaction and substantial disfigurement. | £23,730 to £63,970 |
| Significant Facial Scarring | Plastic surgery will have reduced the worst effects, leaving some cosmetic disability. | £12,040 to £39,750 |
Can I Claim For Financial Losses After A Workplace Chemical Burn?
Yes, you can claim for financial losses after a workplace chemical burn, provided they were directly caused by your injury. This compensation would be awarded under the head of loss known as special damages. Some examples could include, but are not limited to:
- Medical expenses, such as burn ointments, dressings, and pain relief medications.
- Rehabilitation fees to help you after suffering from severe burn injuries that affect your mobility.
- Any cosmetic surgery costs if you suffered facial burns that caused disfigurement.
- Any lost earnings from taking time off work to recover or attend medical appointments.
- Any professional and gratuitous care costs you have incurred.
These are only a few examples. Regardless of what costs or financial losses you wish to claim for, you will need to present evidence of them to be able to receive special damages. This could include invoices, receipts and payslips.
You can contact our advisors to receive a free valuation of your potential compensation. Contact Legal Helpline today to discuss the specifics of your case.
What Will I Need To Bring A Chemical Burn At Work Claim?
To bring a chemical burn at work claim, you will need supporting evidence and to also ensure that your claim is started within the time limit.
How Can I Prove Fault For My Chemical Burn At Work?
You can prove fault for your chemical burn at work by ensuring you have sufficient evidence that demonstrates your employer’s liability, as well as the severity of the chemical burn you suffered. Some examples include:
- Your medical records detailing the type of burn you suffered and what treatments you received.
- A copy of your accident report in the workplace accident book.
- The contact details of anyone who witnessed your accident, such as your work colleagues.
For further examples, you can read our dedicated guide on the evidence needed for a personal injury claim.
How Long After Sustaining A Workplace Chemical Burn Can I Claim Compensation?
After sustaining a workplace chemical burn, you have 3 years to start a claim for compensation. This time limit is set out in the Limitation Act 1980 and runs from the date your accident took place.
For those who were injured as a minor or lack the mental capacity to manage their own claim, there are exceptions to this 3-year time limit. You can learn more about this in our dedicated guide on the compensation claims time limit.
You don’t need to worry about ensuring you are within this time limit or gathering evidence by yourself. A solicitor from our panel could help you. Contact our advisors today to learn more.
Why Choose Legal Helpline’s Panel Of Solicitors To Claim For Workplace Chemical Burns?
You should choose Legal Helpline’s panel of solicitors to claim for workplace chemical burns, as they have years of experience handling these types of claims. They have helped hundreds of clients obtain compensation, and could help you do the same. Some of the expert services they could provide you with include:
- Arranging any rehabilitation or cosmetic surgery you may need due to your burn injuries.
- Organising an independent medical assessment to assess the full extent of your burns and how they will impact your life moving forward.
- Handling all communication with your employer and their insurance company during the progress of your workplace injury claim.
- Gathering any supporting evidence on your behalf, such as the accident report in the workplace accident book and statements from any witnesses to your chemical burn injury, such as fellow colleagues.
- Ensuring any financial losses you suffered due to your burn injury, such as burn creams, are also accounted for in your compensation settlement.
These are only a few of the expert services the solicitors on our panel could offer you. To find out some of the other ways they could help you, contact our advisors.
Can I Claim For Chemical Burns At Work On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you could claim for chemical burns at work on a No Win No Fee basis with one of the solicitors on our panel here at Legal Helpline. Our panel have worked with hundreds of clients on their workplace injury claims under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement, and could offer to do so with yours. With this particular No Win No Fee arrangement in place, you will not need to pay your solicitor for their services:
- Prior to them starting work on your claim
- As the claim is underway
- If the claim is not successful
However, should the claim be a success, your solicitor will take a success fee from you. This fee is taken directly from your compensation as a legally limited percentage.
Get In Touch With Our Advisors
Get in touch with our advisors today with any questions you may have about the chemical burn at work claims process. They could also offer free advice for your particular case and connect you with an expert No Win No Fee solicitor on our panel.
- Call on 0333 000 0729
- Contact us online.
- Use our live chat.
Learn More
Learn more about the other types of workplace injury claims we could help you with:
- Guidance on claiming for a workplace accident as a part-time employee.
- Advice on claiming for defective and faulty workplace equipment.
- Learn how we could help following a fatal work accident.
Some useful external resources:
- Further guidance on acid and chemical burns from the NHS.
- Guidance on safe use and handling of chemicals from the Health and Safety Executive.
- The chemical hazards compendium from Gov.UK.
Thank you for reading our guide on chemical burn at work claims.