Atlanta Burn Injury Lawyers Advocating for Non-Employees

Skilled representation for Georgia burn victims who cannot claim workers’ compensation

The country may think of peaches when they think of Georgia, but our state produces far more than that. With 42,000 farms in operation, we are the country’s number one source for chickens, peanuts, pecans and blueberries; peaches don’t even crack the Top 10. As of 2017, Georgia is now the top filming location in the world; it is a $9.5 billion industry. We offer booming automotive, manufacturing and energy sectors, and a tourism industry unlike any other.

The one thing that each of these industries has in common is not all of their workers, if injured, will be entitled to workers’ compensation. And yet, every day, people sustain serious, life-threatening injuries while in the course of their work. Burns are among the most serious of those injuries, because they can affect whether or not you can care for your family. If you sustained a burn injury while at work, but are not entitled to workers’ compensation, the Atlanta attorneys of Harris Lowry Manton LLP may be able to help.

Common worksite burn injuries in Georgia

Each of the state’s leading industries poses varying levels of burn injury risks, simply by the nature of the industry. The most common include:

• Electrical burns. These are more likely on construction sites – either industrial or residential – but they can occur anywhere live electrical wires are used. The film and television industry is particularly susceptible to these injuries, because of the number of cameras and lights need to shoot a scene.
• Chemical burns. Agricultural work requires the use of toxic chemicals on a large scale; so does the automotive industry (both in manufacturing and repair).
• Thermal burns from fires and explosions. Natural gas and coal are highly flammable, and explosions are a perpetual risk. The film industry also poses this risk, as large-scale stunts and action scenes can rage out of control.
• Radiation burns. Georgia is home to four nuclear reactor units, which supply 26% of all generated electricity. Workers are covered by the state program, but everyone is at risk of radiation of the rectors fail.

Who is not covered under workers’ compensation laws in Georgia?

Georgia has specific laws about who is covered and who is not. The following workers may not be entitled to file a compensation claim:

• Independent contractors
• On-site visitors, including supervisors and other non-employees
• Farm laborers (unless their employer has elected to sign up for special coverage)
• Domestic workers
• Employees of a company which has fewer than three employees “regularly in service” within Georgia
• Sports officials (like referees)
• Railroad common carriers
• Any workers who is willfully harmed by another person
• Employees who develop heart disease
• Employees who develop alcoholism

Personal injury lawsuits for Georgia workers

There are laws in place to protect workers whose employers failed to obtain workers’ comp, but it only applies to employees who should have been covered. If you sustained a burn while working, or while on a job site, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. One of the benefits of a lawsuit is that you can sue for the full amount of your wage losses – workers’ comp only awards two-thirds of your salary – and your medical bills, as well as for pain and suffering. If your employer was willfully negligent, you may be entitled to punitive damages, as well.

Third party liability for your burn injuries

If you were burned because of a defective piece of machinery or safety equipment, or in a vehicle fire that had a design or manufacturing flaw, you may be able to file a suit against the manufacturer, designer or retailer of that defective product. This is called third-party liability, and it applies when an outside party is responsible for your injuries. HLM has the resources, experience and skill to handle claims arising from:

• Car and truck crashes involving negligent drivers
• Auto defects
• Malfunctioning and faulty machinery and equipment
• Toxic chemical burns and inhalation
• Negligent security measures

As experienced Atlanta injury lawyers, we have successfully brought claims against multi-national companies on behalf of our clients. When you are hurt, we are there to fight for your future.

Protecting the rights of Georgia workers who sustained burn injuries

Harris Lowry Manton LLP is proud to represent injured workers throughout Georgia. If you sustained a burn injury in the curse of your job duties, or while visiting a job site, we want to help you obtain the compensation you need to recover. Please call our Atlanta office at 404-961-7650 or our Savannah office at 912-651-9967 to schedule a free consultation. You can also complete our contact form.