Burns and scalds are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a worker can suffer. Whether caused by hot liquids, steam, open flames, hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical contact, a serious burn injury can require months of treatment, multiple surgeries, and leave permanent scarring that affects both physical function and mental health.
If you have been burned or scalded at work because your employer failed in their duty to keep you safe, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
NJS Law handles all burn injury claims across England and Wales on a No Win, No Fee basis.
This page is part of our Accident at Work Claims service.
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Burns injuries can require years of treatment. NJS Law will ensure your compensation reflects the true extent of your losses.
Discover today if you’re eligible to make a claim.
Complete the form below, email or call our slip and trip claims solicitors for free, no-obligation advice.
NJS Law handles burn and scald injury claims across all workplace sectors. The most common types include:
The overarching duty on all employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of all employees — including protection from falls when working at any height.
Requires employers to assess risks from hazardous substances — including corrosive chemicals — and put adequate controls in place. A failure to carry out a COSHH assessment, provide chemical-resistant PPE, or train workers in safe handling is a breach of these Regulations and a common basis for chemical burn claims.
Requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments of all workplace hazards, including thermal and chemical burn risks.
Requires work equipment — including industrial ovens, boilers, steam equipment, and machinery with hot components — to be suitable, properly maintained, and guarded to prevent contact burns.
Requires employers to provide suitable PPE — including heat-resistant gloves, face shields, and chemical-resistant protective clothing — where a risk assessment identifies a burn hazard.
Burn and scald injuries occur across many industries. The sectors with the highest incidence include:
You may still be entitled to claim even if you were partly responsible — for example, if you breached a site rule. Contributory negligence reduces your award proportionally but does not end your right to claim. See: Can I Claim If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
Burn injury compensation is assessed using the Judicial College Guidelines, 18th edition (April 2026). The amount depends on the burn’s depth (superficial, partial thickness, or full thickness), the total body surface area (TBSA) affected, the location (face and hands attract higher awards), and the degree of permanent scarring and functional impairment:
Burns Severity | Description | Approximate Range |
Minor burns (limited area, full recovery) | Superficial burns, minimal scarring | Up to £11,200 |
Moderate burns (significant area, some scarring) | Partial or full-thickness, noticeable scarring | £11,200 – £27,220 |
Serious burns (larger area, permanent scarring) | Requiring skin grafting, significant permanent scarring | £27,220 – £55,700 |
Severe burns (extensive, life-altering) | Large TBSA, multiple surgeries, serious permanent scarring | £55,700 – £136,430+ |
Very severe burns (catastrophic) | Extensive full-thickness burns, permanent disability | £136,430+ |
Significant facial scarring | Permanent, prominent facial scarring affecting appearance | £29,780 – £97,330 |
Hand injury — burn / scarring | Impaired grip, permanent sensitivity changes | £5,720 – £57,000+ |
Moderate PTSD / psychological injury | Following traumatic burn incident | £9,980 – £21,730 |
In addition to the general damages above, you can claim all financial losses: lost earnings, surgical and rehabilitation costs, the cost of ongoing skin care, psychological therapy, and any care or home adaptation costs. . See: General Damages vs Special Damages and Average Compensation Payouts.
NJS Law has recovered over £6 million for injured workers in 2024–25 alone.
All burn injuries should be assessed by a medical professional. A&E will document the injury, classify the depth and extent of the burn, and begin treatment. Ask the treating clinician to record the cause — “burn sustained at work” — in your medical notes.
Report to your employer and ensure the accident is recorded in the workplace accident book. Burns covering more than 10% of the body or causing damage to the respiratory system or vital organs must be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR 2013.
Photograph the source of the burn (hot equipment, chemical containers, flame source), your injuries at different stages of healing, the PPE (or lack of it) that was provided, and any warning labels or safety data sheets present. Obtain COSHH risk assessment records where a chemical was involved.
Note the names and contact details of all witnesses — workers, site managers, and any visitors present at the time. Request any CCTV or dashcam footage immediately. Note the exact time and location to assist your solicitor in identifying relevant footage.
Our specialist employer liability solicitors will assess your claim and, if we take on your case, issue a Letter of Claim to your employer’s insurer and begin gathering all available evidence.
You will be examined by an independent burns specialist or plastic surgeon who will assess the injury, prognosis, scarring, and functional impact. We build your full Schedule of Loss and negotiate maximum compensation. In serious cases involving significant scarring, we will ensure your compensation reflects long-term treatment needs including future reconstructive surgery.
Under the Limitation Act 1980, there are strict time limits for bringing a personal injury claim. Act within these limits — missing the deadline is the most common reason valid claims cannot be pursued.
Claim Type | Time Limit | Notes |
Standard workplace accident | 3 years from date of accident | The most common scenario |
Industrial disease or occupational illness | 3 years from date of diagnosis (or “date of knowledge”) | Applies where symptoms developed gradually over time |
Child injured at work (or as a visitor) | 3 years from their 18th birthday | A parent or guardian can bring a claim at any time before the child turns 18 |
Person lacking mental capacity | Time limit suspended during period of incapacity | A litigation friend manages the claim |
Fatal workplace accident | 3 years from date of death | Dependants may claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 |
For a full explanation of all time limit exceptions and what to do if you are approaching your deadline, see our guide: Personal Injury Claim Time Limits in England and Wales.
For guidance on how long the claim process itself takes once you have started: How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
Case highlight
Our client arrived for work early one morning when his forklift truck struck a pothole hidden under murky water at the loading bay. The impact caused severe spinal injuries, leaving him unable to move. What followed was four years of rehabilitation, specialist hospitals, and legal complexity — with NJS Law by his side throughout.
“Nichola, my solicitor, took on two professional barristers who got my claim going. Without NJS Law, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. They helped me far beyond things I wouldn’t have known about.”
— NJS Law client, £3.7 million settlement
Settlement
£3,700,000
Injury type
Severe spinal injury
Cause
Hidden pothole — employer negligence
Duration
4-year case
Interim payments
Yes — housing, mobility, therapy
Outcome
Full independence restored
Our client suffered serious leg injuries when faulty workplace equipment malfunctioned without warning, causing a heavy load to fall directly onto both legs.
The injuries included broken bones, severe ligament damage, an extended hospital stay, ongoing pain, and long-term mobility issues.
NJS Law successfully showed that the accident was caused by defective or poorly maintained equipment, and that the employer had failed to keep the workplace equipment safe and fit for purpose.
Our client suffered a broken leg after tripping over a wooden pallet that had been left in a cluttered and poorly maintained workspace while they were operating an electric pump truck.
As they tried to manoeuvre safely around colleagues, they fell backwards over the pallet, which had been left leaning against a pipe.
The pump truck then moved forward and trapped their leg.
NJS Law proved that the accident was caused by unsafe workplace conditions, poor housekeeping, and a failure to remove obvious hazards.
Our client was sent overseas for a work project and was repeatedly required to lift and carry heavy items without suitable lifting equipment, assistance, or adequate manual handling training.
The client suffered a serious back injury, required a four-day hospital stay, experienced long-term pain and mobility difficulties, and needed time off work to recover.
Although the accident happened abroad,
NJS Law successfully established that the UK-based employer had breached its duty of care.
Our client suffered a serious arm injury while trying to clear a printer jam at work.
The printer had been positioned tightly against a wall, making it difficult to access safely.
When the client tried to move it into a safer position, they felt sudden pain and heard three sharp snaps in their arm.
The injury caused muscle and soft-tissue damage, required medical treatment and rehabilitation, led to time off work, and resulted in ongoing pain, weakness, and reduced mobility.
NJS Law proved that the employer had failed to provide a safe workplace setup, proper risk assessments, and safe procedures for dealing with equipment faults.
All accident at work claims at NJS Law are handled under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — what most people call No Win, No Fee. Here is exactly what that means for you:
You can read a full plain-English explanation of how No Win, No Fee agreements work at No Win No Fee Claims Page.
Our dedicated solicitors specialise in slip and trip claims and have decades of combined experience securing fair compensation. We understand how stressful an accident can be and provide clear, supportive guidance throughout the process.
Contact us today for a free consultation and move forward with confidence under our No Win No Fee promise. Taking early legal advice can strengthen your claim and protect your rights.
680,000 workers were injured in the workplace in 2024–25. You may be entitled to compensation.
Being injured at work can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of your rights or worried about your job. Our expert solicitors provide clear, honest advice and manage every aspect of your claim, so you can focus on recovery while we fight for justice.
Our specialist EL/PL team brings decades of expertise across workplace injury, employer liability, and serious injury claims.
Authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (no. 8006550).
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£3.7M forklift settlement · £135,000 Manchester worker · £33,000 overseas injury · £18,000 arm injury. Real outcomes for real clients.
Making an accident at work claim can feel overwhelming. Below we’ve answered the most common questions our clients ask. These cover eligibility, time limits, compensation, and what happens if your case goes to court.
Yes, if your employer failed to properly assess and control the risk of burns — for example, by failing to carry out a COSHH assessment, not providing adequate PPE, not guarding hot equipment, or not training workers in safe handling procedures. NJS Law handles burns and scalds claims across all industries on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Yes. The COSHH Regulations 2002 require employers to assess the risks from all hazardous substances, including cleaning chemicals. If your employer did not carry out a COSHH assessment, failed to provide chemical-resistant gloves or eye protection, or did not train you in the safe handling of the product, a claim can be made. Industrial cleaning chemicals, drain unblockers, and disinfectants are among the most common causes of workplace chemical burns.
Compensation for scarring depends on the location, size, appearance, and permanence of the scar. Significant scarring to the face or visible areas attracts higher awards — the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026) indicate ranges from £29,780 to £97,330 for significant facial scarring. Burns elsewhere on the body with permanent scarring can also attract substantial awards, particularly where the scarring causes psychological distress or physical impairment. Future reconstructive surgery costs are also recoverable as special damages.
Your employer may still be liable. Under the legal principle of vicarious liability, an employer is responsible for the negligent acts of their employees carried out in the course of employment. If a colleague’s negligence caused your burn injury — for example, by mishandling a chemical or hot liquid — a claim can be made against the employer. The employer’s liability insurer will be the defendant in practice.
Yes. Kitchen and catering workers are among the most frequently injured workers in England and Wales. Scalds from boiling water and hot oil, contact burns from hot equipment, and steam burns are all extremely common. Employers in the catering industry have the same health and safety duties as any other employer and must carry out risk assessments, provide suitable PPE, and train staff in safe working practices. NJS Law handles catering workplace burn claims regularly.
Our solicitors have written a library of plain-English guides to help you understand your rights. Read the articles most relevant to your situation:
Injured at work? Learn the key steps to take straight away to protect your health, evidence, and legal rights.
Find out how workplace injury compensation is calculated and what factors can affect the value of your claim.
Learn how No Win No Fee accident at work claims work and how you can start a claim without upfront legal fees.
A simple guide to the personal injury claims process, from starting your claim to reaching a settlement.
Understand your rights if you are worried about your job after making a workplace injury claim.
Learn what RIDDOR is, which workplace accidents must be reported, and how it may support your claim.
Find out your rights after a construction site accident and how to claim compensation for your injuries.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Understand when you may be able to claim compensation after a fall from height at work.
Find out what affects the length of a personal injury claim and what to expect during the process.
Learn how PUWER 1998 protects workers injured by unsafe machinery, tools, or workplace equipment.
Learn how personal injury payouts are assessed and why compensation varies from case to case.
Understand the key time limits for making a personal injury claim in England and Wales.
Find out how partial fault can affect your personal injury claim and compensation amount.
Learn the difference between compensation for pain and suffering and compensation for financial losses.
Find out when interim payments may be available before your personal injury claim fully settles.
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.
