Burn and Electrocution Injuries

Few workplace accidents leave behind the kind of lasting physical and emotional marks that burns and electrical injuries do. Workers across Minnesota face these hazards every day in fields ranging from construction to manufacturing. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn or electrical injury on the job, you have the right to pursue workers’ compensation benefits.

Common Causes of Burn and Electrocution Injuries on the Job

While these accidents can happen in any setting, they are especially prevalent for factory workers and industrial workers, where high-voltage machinery and chemical processing are part of the daily routine. Other hazards are often unpredictable, and even experienced workers can find themselves harmed despite following safety protocols. 

Some of the most frequently reported causes include:

• Contact with exposed or improperly insulated wiring
• Defective tools, machinery, or electrical equipment
• Arc flashes and arc blasts from high-voltage sources
• Chemical spills and exposure to corrosive substances
• Flash fires and explosions involving flammable materials
• Steam, hot liquids, or contact with heated surfaces
• Damaged extension cords or overloaded circuits
• Inadequate personal protective equipment
• Lack of proper safety training or warning signage

Types of Burn and Electrocution Work Injuries

The severity of a burn depends largely on how deeply it penetrates the skin and surrounding tissue:

• First-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of skin, leaving it red, dry, and tender without breaking the surface. 
• Second-degree burns reach deeper, often producing blisters, fluid loss, and noticeable changes in skin pigmentation. 
• Third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of the skin and frequently require skin grafts. 
• Fourth-degree burns extend beyond the skin into muscle, tendon, and bone, sometimes resulting in charred or disfigured limbs.

Electrical injuries can be just as serious, even when external damage appears minimal. Internal harm to the heart, nervous system, and organs may not be immediately visible, which is why anyone who suffers an electrical shock at work should receive close medical monitoring.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Burn or Electrical Injury

As an injured worker in Minnesota, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for your burn or electrical injury. These benefits can cover the cost of medical treatment, a portion of your lost wages while you recover, vocational retraining if you cannot return to your previous role, and permanent partial disability compensation for lasting impairments. 

Options for Families Affected by Electrocution Injuries in Minnesota

When a loved one dies from an electrocution injury at work, surviving dependents may qualify for death benefits for up to ten years. A surviving spouse may receive a portion of the worker’s weekly wage, adjusted by the state’s average weekly wage, for life or until they remarry. Dependent children may receive benefits until age 18, or 23 if they are enrolled full-time in school. Additionally, Minnesota workers’ compensation claims can provide up to $15,000 for funeral and burial expenses.

Contact Kemmitt, Sanford & Kramer About Your Work Injury Claim Today

A serious burn or electrical injury can leave you facing a long road to recovery, but you don’t have to navigate the claims process alone. The attorneys at Kemmitt, Sanford & Kramer have spent years helping injured Minnesota workers rebuild their lives following these painful injuries. If a workplace burn or electrocution has affected your life, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and start charting a path forward.