Burns at work can be thermal, chemical or electrical, and some of the most serious leave permanent scarring and psychological harm. Exposure to hazardous substances can also cause dermatitis, occupational asthma and long-term illness. Employers have specific legal duties to control each of these risks, and a failure that caused your injury can give rise to a claim.
Types of Burn and How They Happen
- Thermal burns — hot fluids, steam, ovens, molten metal and hot machinery surfaces
- Chemical burns — acids, alkalis, solvents and cleaning chemicals splashed on skin or eyes, inhaled or swallowed
- Electrical burns — contact with live equipment or wiring, and arc flash
- Friction burns — from machinery, ropes and conveyor belts
- Flash and flame burns — fires, gas leaks and welding
The relevant duties come from the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), PUWER 1998, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Chemical Burns and Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
COSHH requires employers who use or store hazardous substances to:
- Carry out a COSHH risk assessment for each hazardous substance
- Control the risk in order: eliminate or substitute the substance, then engineering controls such as ventilation and extraction, then safe systems of work, with PPE last
- Provide PPE suitable for the specific chemical, free of charge
- Store and label substances safely, with safety data sheets available
- Train workers in safe handling, and have spill and emergency procedures, such as eyewash stations
Generic gloves that are not rated for the chemical you were using do not meet the duty. If you don’t know exactly which substance burned you, your solicitor can obtain the safety data sheets and workplace records.
Longer-term exposure can cause dermatitis, respiratory conditions such as occupational asthma, and in some cases occupational cancers. For these conditions the three-year time limit generally runs from your date of knowledge — when you first knew the condition was significant and linked to work. Occupational health records, GP and hospital records, and a specialist report linking the condition to the exposure are the key evidence.
Electric Shock Injuries
Electric shocks usually trace back to defective wiring or equipment, portable electrical equipment that was never inspected or tested, poor isolation procedures, or live work done without qualified electricians. Injuries include burns at the entry and exit points, heart complications, falls caused by the shock, and lasting neurological symptoms. Heart problems can appear hours or days later, so always get a medical assessment after any shock. Even if you recovered quickly, you can still claim — particularly if you lost earnings.
What to Do After a Burn or Chemical Exposure
- Follow first aid: flush chemical burns with water for an extended period and remove contaminated clothing
- Get medical attention promptly, especially for eye contact, inhalation or electric shock
- Make sure the incident is recorded in the accident book
- Note the chemical or equipment involved and ask for its safety data sheet
- Photograph the injury regularly through recovery — scarring changes over time
Burn and Scarring Compensation
General damages reflect the depth of the burn, the area of the body affected, scarring and any psychological injury. The Judicial College Guidelines have separate brackets for scarring to the body and for facial scarring, and the most serious burns are also valued with reference to other brackets because they often involve loss of function and psychological harm. PTSD, anxiety, depression and body-image distress after burns are routinely part of the claim, supported by a psychiatric report.
In serious cases the special damages often exceed the general damages: reconstructive and scar-revision surgery (including private treatment to avoid delays), psychological treatment such as CBT or EMDR, cosmetic camouflage, lost earnings, aids and adaptations, and care during recovery. Burn claims typically take 12 to 24 months, longer where reconstructive surgery is needed, because the final appearance of the scarring must settle before the claim is valued.
Evidence That Helps
- Accident book entry, A&E and burns unit records, and operation notes for any grafts
- Photographs of the injury throughout recovery, and of the substance or container
- The safety data sheet and COSHH assessment, or evidence that none existed
- Details of the PPE provided, or that it wasn’t provided or suitable
- Electrical inspection and testing records for shock injuries
- Witness accounts and psychological reports
Frequently Asked Questions
Does compensation cover scarring?
Yes. The Judicial College Guidelines set separate brackets for scarring to the body and to the face, depending on visibility, severity, and psychological impact. Costs of scar revision and camouflage can be claimed as well.
Can I claim for psychological injury after a burn?
Yes. PTSD, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorders following burns are routinely included in claims, supported by a psychiatric report.
What if I wasn't given the right PPE for the chemical I was using?
Your employer must provide PPE suitable for the specific substance, not just generic protective equipment. Unsuitable or missing PPE is a common and significant failure in chemical burn claims. If you weren't wearing it, you may still claim; any reduction for contributory negligence rarely defeats the claim where your employer failed to provide, enforce or train.
When does the time limit start for a disease caused by chemical exposure?
Generally from the date of knowledge — when you first knew your condition was significant and linked to work — rather than the date of exposure.
I recovered quickly from an electric shock — can I still claim?
Yes. Short-term injuries with no lasting effects can still attract compensation, particularly where you lost earnings. Always get checked, because heart complications can appear hours or days later.
Primary legal and safety sources
This guide is checked against official sources. The applicable law and limitation rules depend on where in the UK the accident happened.