Chemical Burn Injuries in the Workplace: Your Rights Under Illinois Law

Chemical Burns at Work Are More Common Than You Think

Workers in Chicago and across Illinois handle hazardous chemicals every day. From factory floors to cleaning crews, thousands of employees are exposed to substances that can cause serious chemical burns. When employers fail to provide proper safety equipment, training, or ventilation, workers pay the price with painful injuries that can change their lives forever.

If you suffered a chemical burn at work, you likely have multiple legal options for getting compensation. Understanding those options is the first step toward protecting yourself and your family.

How Chemical Burns Happen at Work

Chemical burns occur when the skin, eyes, or internal tissues come into contact with a corrosive substance. Unlike thermal burns from heat or fire, chemical burns can continue to damage tissue until the chemical is fully removed. This makes them especially dangerous.

Industries with High Chemical Burn Risks

• Manufacturing: Workers handle industrial solvents, acids, and alkalis used in production processes
• Construction: Wet cement, paint strippers, and adhesives contain caustic chemicals. Learn more about construction accident claims.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and labs use formaldehyde, disinfectants, and other harsh chemicals
• Cleaning and janitorial services: Industrial cleaning agents can burn skin on contact
• Agriculture: Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides cause chemical burns with prolonged exposure
• Auto repair: Battery acid, brake fluid, and degreasers are common hazards
• Food processing: Ammonia refrigeration systems and industrial cleaners pose risks

Common Chemicals That Cause Workplace Burns

• Sulfuric acid
• Hydrochloric acid
• Sodium hydroxide (lye)
• Bleach and ammonia
• Hydrofluoric acid
• Phosphoric acid
• Wet concrete (calcium hydroxide)
• Industrial solvents like methylene chloride

Types of Chemical Burn Injuries

Chemical burns can range from mild irritation to life-threatening injuries:

• Skin burns: Redness, blistering, and tissue destruction depending on the chemical and exposure time
• Eye burns: Chemical splash in the eyes can cause permanent vision loss
• Respiratory burns: Inhaling chemical fumes or vapors can burn the airways and lungs
• Internal burns: Swallowing a chemical can burn the mouth, throat, and digestive tract

The severity depends on the type of chemical, its concentration, how long it stayed on the skin, and how quickly it was treated.

Employer Responsibilities Under OSHA and Illinois Law

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers from chemical hazards. Federal OSHA regulations and Illinois state laws require employers to:

• Identify and label all hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical on site
• Train workers on how to safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals
• Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, face shields, and protective clothing
• Install and maintain eyewash stations and emergency showers
• Ensure proper ventilation in areas where chemicals are used
• Have emergency response plans in place for chemical spills

When employers cut corners on any of these requirements, they put workers at risk.

Workers’ Compensation for Chemical Burns in Illinois

Illinois law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If you suffered a chemical burn at work, you can file a workers’ comp claim regardless of who was at fault. Workers’ comp covers:

• All reasonable and necessary medical treatment
• Temporary total disability benefits (two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you recover)
• Permanent partial disability benefits if you have lasting impairment
• Vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your previous job

You do not need to prove your employer was negligent to receive workers’ comp benefits. However, the trade-off is that workers’ comp generally prevents you from suing your employer directly. To learn more, visit our page on workers’ compensation claims.

Third-Party Liability Claims for Workplace Chemical Burns

While you cannot usually sue your employer, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit against a third party whose negligence caused your chemical burn. Third-party defendants in workplace chemical burn cases often include:

Chemical Manufacturers

If a chemical was unreasonably dangerous, improperly labeled, or lacked adequate warnings, the manufacturer can be held liable under Illinois product liability law.

Equipment Manufacturers

If a defective container, valve, or dispensing system caused the chemical exposure, the equipment maker may be responsible.

Property Owners

If you were working on someone else’s property and the property owner created or knew about a chemical hazard, they may share liability.

Contractors and Subcontractors

On construction sites and in industrial settings, multiple companies often work together. If another company’s negligence caused your chemical exposure, you can pursue a claim against them.

Third-party claims allow you to recover damages that workers’ comp does not cover, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and full lost wages.

What to Do After a Chemical Burn at Work

1. Remove the chemical immediately. Flush the affected area with clean water for at least 20 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing.
2. Get emergency medical treatment. Go to the emergency room or a burn center. Tell the doctors exactly what chemical you were exposed to.
3. Report the injury to your employer. Illinois law requires you to notify your employer within 45 days. Do it in writing.
4. Document everything. Take photos of your injuries, the chemical involved, and the work area. Save medical records, incident reports, and any communications with your employer.
5. File a workers’ comp claim. Your employer should provide the necessary forms. If they do not, contact the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
6. Talk to a lawyer. An experienced attorney can determine whether you have a third-party claim in addition to workers’ comp.

Long-Term Effects of Chemical Burns

Chemical burns often cause lasting damage that goes beyond the initial injury:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Chronic pain at the burn site
• Reduced mobility if burns affect joints or tendons
• Vision problems or blindness from eye exposure
• Respiratory issues from inhaling fumes
• Psychological effects, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Increased sensitivity to chemicals, making it difficult to return to similar work

These long-term effects should all be considered when calculating the value of your claim.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Between workers’ comp and a potential third-party lawsuit, you may be able to recover:

• Full medical expenses, including future treatment and reconstructive surgery
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering (third-party claim only)
• Scarring and disfigurement damages
• Loss of normal life enjoyment
• Emotional distress

The Statute of Limitations

For personal injury lawsuits in Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Workers’ comp claims have different deadlines. You must notify your employer within 45 days and file a claim within three years of the injury or two years from the last workers’ comp payment, whichever is later.

Do not wait. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and deadlines pass quickly.

Talk to a Chicago Chemical Burn Injury Lawyer

Chemical burn injuries at work can leave you facing enormous medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. You deserve an attorney who understands both workers’ compensation law and third-party liability claims.

Phillips Law Offices has helped injured workers across Chicago and Illinois recover the compensation they need to move forward. We handle chemical burn cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online for a free consultation.