You’re a chef. You love cooking for others and enjoying time in the kitchen. Unfortunately, the kitchen comes with its own dangers. There are sharp knives, hot stoves, open fires and other hazards that can lead to injuries if you’re not cautious.
You made it years without any significant injuries, but that all ended when one of the new waitresses bumped into you while you were sauteing potatoes. She caught you off-guard, and you dropped what you were holding. Unfortunately, that meant that boiling oil and fat ended up all over your hands.
Your hands were badly burned, and that means that you’re going to need time to recover. Fortunately, you’re employed by a restaurant that has workers’ compensation coverage. With the second-degree burns you have covering your hands, you’re going to need medical care and ongoing treatment for some time to come.
Second-degree burns often cause swelling, blistering, redness and significant pain. With blisters, there is a risk of infection if they pop or open. You’ll need to be cautious and won’t be able to work for a while, at least until your hands heal enough to hold a pot again.
In cases like this, a significant injury could end your career, at least for a short time. Second-degree burns can take two to three weeks to fully resolve. Burns that are more severe or bordering on third-degree may take even longer or require some skin grafting in the future. The good news is that workers’ compensation should help cover the cost of those treatments, so that you can recover without worrying about going back to work too soon.