Raleigh Workplace Burn Injuries and Workers' Compensation

Why Choose Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Your Burn Injury Case?

For 24 years, the team at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. has successfully represented injured workers across North Carolina, securing critical benefits for our clients. Some of our notable victories include:

The Hawkins v. General Electric Company case – We won benefits for a technician who developed contact dermatitis, even after GE denied the claim despite acknowledging it resulted from his employment.

The Frederici v. Skansa case – We obtained medical and ongoing wage benefits for an employee initially denied compensation for knee and leg injuries from a work-related auto collision.

The Mills v. Triangle Yellow Transit case – We successfully argued for employee benefits when a taxi company tried to deny responsibility by claiming independent contractor status.

The Gutierrez v. Coast Personnel Services case – We secured benefits for an injured employee when a temporary agency denied the claim and disputed suitable employment.

Two of our attorneys, David Vtipil and Chip Younce, are Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law. David has been named among the nation’s Top 100 Injured Workers’ Attorneys and has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law. Attorneys Joe Baznik and Ross Weatherspoon also spend most of their practice time representing clients in workers’ compensation cases. Both Joe and Ross are fluent in English and Spanish.

Our clients trust us because we’re willing to do what it takes to get results. As one client, Javier Pintos, shared: “They have been our lawyers for more than 17 years, always excellent service and good communication, in Spanish or English! Younce, Vtipil, attorneys at Law always fighting for the rights of their clients!”

How Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help

When you work with our firm, we handle every aspect of your burn injury claim. Our attorneys will:

Thoroughly investigate your workplace accident to determine all potential sources of compensation

Gather and preserve crucial evidence to support your claim

Work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs

Handle all communication with insurance companies and opposing attorneys

Ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time

Fight any attempts to deny or minimize your benefits

Represent you at hearings if your claim is disputed

Demand the maximum compensation you deserve

We know what unique challenges burn injury victims face and are committed to helping you pursue the resources you need for recovery. Our team will stay by your side throughout the entire process, keeping you informed and answering your questions at every stage of your claim.

What to Do After a Burn Injury at Work in North Carolina

The moments and days following a burn incident at work are critical. While the aftermath can feel confusing and overwhelming, taking the right steps after a workplace burn injury helps protect both your health and your legal rights. Here is what you should do:

Seek immediate medical attention – Even if the burn seems minor, get medical care right away. Some burns can worsen over time or cause hidden internal damage.
Report the injury to your supervisor – Notify your employer in writing as soon as possible. North Carolina law requires you to report workplace injuries within 30 days.
Document everything – Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene if possible. Keep records of all medical visits, treatments, and work missed.
Follow your doctor’s orders – Attend all medical appointments and follow treatment plans precisely as prescribed.
Contact our law firm – The sooner you speak with a workers’ compensation attorney, the better we can protect your rights and build your case.

What NC Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can You Get for a Burn Injury?

North Carolina workers’ compensation provides comprehensive benefits for workers who suffer burn injuries on the job in the “course and scope” of their employment. Understanding these benefits can help you take the right steps to receive all the compensation you deserve.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation covers all reasonably necessary medical treatment related to your work burns, including:

Emergency room visits and hospitalization
Surgery and skin grafts
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Prescription medications
Medical devices and equipment
Transportation to medical appointments
Future medical care for your burn injury

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 97-2(19), 97-25)

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

If your burn injury prevents you from working for over seven days during recovery, you can receive weekly payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage up to a maximum amount. These benefits continue until you can return to work or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point when your injuries are not likely to improve with further treatment. However, benefits are capped at 500 weeks, with exceptions (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29 ).

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

If you can work in a limited capacity during recovery but earn less than before your injury, you may receive benefits to help make up the difference in wages (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-30).

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

You may qualify for additional compensation if your burn injury causes permanent impairment to a specific body part. The amount depends on:

Which body part is affected
The percentage of permanent impairment
Your average weekly wage before the injury

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31)

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

You may receive lifetime disability benefits for second-degree or third-degree burns to 33 percent or more of the body (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29 ).

Disfigurement Benefits

North Carolina provides compensation for severe burn injuries that result in visible scarring or disfigurement (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31).

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

If your burn injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, workers’ compensation can cover the following:

Job placement assistance
Career counseling
Retraining programs
Educational expenses
Skills assessment and testing

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-32.2)

Insurance companies often try to minimize benefits or end them prematurely. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can protect your rights. Our lawyers will work diligently to help you pursue every benefit you qualify for under North Carolina workers’ compensation law. We understand the complicated rating system used for work-related burn injuries and will fight to maximize your compensation.

Could Someone Else Be Liable for Your Workplace Burn Injury?

While workers’ compensation provides benefits regardless of fault, sometimes other parties may share responsibility for workplace burn injuries. These may include:

Equipment manufacturers, if defective machinery or safety equipment contributed to your burn injury
Property owners, when unsafe conditions on someone else’s property caused your injury while working
Contractors or subcontractors, if their negligence led to hazardous conditions that caused your burns
Chemical manufacturers, when inadequate warnings about dangerous substances result in chemical burns

These “third-party claims” can provide additional money beyond workers’ compensation benefits, such as pain and suffering and the full amount of your lost wages. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate every case to identify all potential sources of financial recovery for our clients. Discussing your case with an attorney soon after the injury allows your lawyer to preserve critical evidence and protect your right to pursue all available compensation.

What Types of Burn Injuries Happen at Work in North Carolina?

Workplace burn injuries can occur in many ways, with varying levels of severity:

Chemical burns – Chemical burns often result from exposure to industrial cleaning products, acids, solvents, or other hazardous substances. These burns can continue causing tissue damage even after initial contact, making immediate decontamination crucial.
Thermal burns – Hot surfaces, flames, steam, and scalding liquids can cause thermal burns. These commonly occur in manufacturing facilities, restaurants, and construction sites where workers handle hot materials or work near heat sources.
Radiation burns – Workers in medical facilities or nuclear power plants can suffer radiation burns. Those who work long hours outdoors can also get these types of burns, which may develop slowly and require specialized medical treatment.
Electrical burns – Contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or exposed electrical systems can cause severe electrical burns. These burns often lead to internal damage that may not be immediately visible.

What Industries Do Workplace Burn Injuries Commonly Occur In?

While burn injuries can happen in any workplace, certain industries see higher rates of these injuries. These include:

Construction – Workers face risks from hot materials, welding equipment, and exposed wiring.
Manufacturing – Industrial processes often involve high temperatures and hazardous chemicals.
Food service – Commercial kitchens present numerous burn hazards from hot surfaces and liquids.
Healthcare – Medical professionals may encounter radiation and chemical burn risks.
Industrial cleaning – Workers regularly handle potentially dangerous cleaning chemicals.
Electrical work – Electricians face constant risk of electrical burns while working with power systems.
Chemical processing – Plants handling caustic materials put workers at risk of chemical burns.

Contact Our North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys After Your Burn Injury

If a workplace burn injury has resulted in overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future, you need a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer who knows how to protect your rights. At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we know what you’re up against. Our team will use our experience and dedication to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 919-661-9000 or fill out our online form for your free consultation with a North Carolina workplace burn injury attorney.

Workplace Burn Injuries in Raleigh, NC