Burn Injury

Maryland Chemical Burn Injury Lawyers

Strong advocacy for chemical burn victims in Baltimore, Columbia, and all of Maryland

Chemical burns are frightening. Once a dangerous chemical penetrates your skin, the damage will continue until the chemical can be removed. Severe chemical burns can cause serious complications.

Property owners, manufacturers, and contractors have a duty to keep the people who use or are near hazardous chemicals safe. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against businesses and individuals who fail their duty to protect you. We file workers’ compensation claims when employees suffer chemical burns during the scope of their employment.

Our chemical burn injury lawyers seek compensation when chemical burns affect victims physically, emotionally, and financially. Call us now to assert your rights.

How can we help?

What are chemical burns?

According to Science Insights, a chemical burn occurs when a corrosive substance contacts your skin and damages your tissue. Unlike thermal burns, chemical burns can destroy tissue even after the initial contact, “as the substance continues reacting with skin cells until it’s fully removed.”

About 2 to 6 percent of all burn center admissions are chemical burns from either acid or alkali substances.

Acid burns

Chemical burns from acids cause coagulation necrosis. The acid kills cells on contact. The dead tissue hardens into a strong barrier that limits the depth of the acid penetration, which is why acid burns tend to be less serious than chemical burns from alkalis.

Alkali burns

Alkalis “dissolve fats in cell membranes through a process called saponification, essentially turning the fatty components of your cells into soap.” Alkalis can penetrate deeper into your tissue, causing liquefaction necrosis, which causes your tissue to become soft and mushy rather than firm. Since there’s no protective hard barrier, “alkali burns often cause deeper, more irreversible damage to the protein structure of your skin.” About 2/3 of all chemical burns worldwide are alkali burns.

What are the common causes of chemical burn injuries?

Some of the common causes of chemical burns include:

  • Workplace accidents, where workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals
  • Industrial and manufacturing accidents
  • Exposure to swimming pool chemicals
  • Exposure to household cleaning products that spill or result in an explosion
  • Accidents involving trucks that transport dangerous chemicals

What types of chemicals cause burns?

Science Insights identifies the following dangerous chemicals:

  • Oven cleaners and drain openers, which contain strong alkalis that have sodium hydroxide or lye
  • Rust removers and toilet bowl cleaners, which include strong acids
  • Bleach and disinfectants
  • Mildew stain removers
  • Battery acids (from cars and household products)
  • Hair relaxers and permanent wave products
  • Cement (which has a high alkalinity)

Other products that can cause chemical burns include lime, phosphates, calcium hydroxide, and other chemicals listed above.

Chemical burns may also be due to:

  • Industrial chemicals, including chemicals used in manufacturing, agriculture, laboratories, and construction
  • Exposure to toxic chemical liquids and gases

The Cleveland Clinic also identifies the following causes of chemical burns:

  • Paints
  • Fertilizers
  • Pesticides

What types of injuries do chemical burns cause?

Deep partial-thickness and full-thickness chemical burns can penetrate most or all of the skin’s layers. Catastrophic chemical burns can cause muscle, joint, and bone damage.

According to Apollo Hospitals, chemical burns that generally require immediate medical attention include burns that cause or include:

  • Severe, intense pain
  • Skin and tissue damage
  • Signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, fever, and pus
  • Respiratory disorders if you inhaled any chemical fumes

Other severe symptoms may include blisters, itching, burning sensations, vomiting, nausea, and drooling.

Even minor chemical burns require ER care if the burns:

  • Affect your eyes, mouth, or genital area
  • Harm an infant or a senior citizen, because their skin is more vulnerable

Possible long-term chemical burn injuries, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include:

  • Skin, stomach, and/or esophageal cancer
  • Esophageal strictures (narrowing)
  • Scars
  • Skin discoloration
  • Loss of vision
  • Musculoskeletal disorders

Chemical burns may also cause internal organ damage

What are the treatments for chemical burn injuries?

The treatments vary depending on the severity of the burn and the type of chemical. The treatments may include the following:

  • Removing the chemicals
  • Drinking water
  • Medications
  • Surgery (often at a local burn center), which may include skin grafts
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Psychological counseling
  • Pain management
  • Additional treatments for long-term complications

Who is liable for chemical burns?

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we work with fire officials, chemical experts, investigators, and product safety experts through the discovery process to determine the cause of your chemical burns and who is responsible.

Generally, employees who suffer chemical burns during the scope of their employment do not need to prove fault.

In personal injury claims, the following defendants may be liable:

  • Manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of dangerous chemical products
  • Property owners
  • Employers, when the claimant is not an employee
  • Contractors and subcontractors
  • Construction site companies

What compensation is available in chemical burn cases?

Our Maryland chemical burn injury lawyers have more than 40 years of experience handling the following types of burn injury claims:

Personal injury lawsuit

We can file personal injury claims if someone owed you a duty of care, broke that duty, and the breach caused your injuries. We can pursue compensation for all economic and personal damages (the damages to date and all future damages), including:

  • Medical expenses. All medical expenses of every type by every health care provider, including emergency care, surgeries, medical visits, psychological counseling, and medications.
  • Lost income. This includes wages, benefits, business income, and compensation for permanent impairment or the loss of future earning capacity.
  • Pain and suffering. We seek compensation for every way your chemical burns are causing physical pain and emotional trauma.
  • The loss of bodily function.
  • The inability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
  • Property damage.
  • Scarring and disfigurement.
  • Loss of consortium.
  • Punitive damages where Maryland law permits.

Workers’ compensation claims

We file workers’ compensation cases for employees who suffer chemical burns during the scope of their employment. Workers’ compensation benefits include:

  • All reasonable and necessary medical expenses
  • Temporary disability benefits
  • Permanent disability benefits
  • Vocational rehabilitation benefits

Death benefits

Our Maryland chemical burn lawyers file wrongful death claims for families if negligence or product defects cause fatal burn injuries.

We seek workers’ compensation death benefits for eligible family members if an employee suffers a fatal injury during the scope of their employment.

What steps should victims take after a chemical burn injury?

Chemical burn victims should:

  • Seek immediate medical treatment to make a proper diagnosis, remove the dangerous chemicals, and begin immediate emergency treatments.
  • Provide important notices. For example, employees must give their employer prompt notice of their chemical burns.
  • Preserve any contaminated clothing and any other physical evidence – if safe to do so.
  • Take photos/videos of the accident site – if safe to do so.
  • Take photos/videos of your burns – if safe to do so.
  • Contact our skilled Maryland burn injury lawyers. We can explain what other steps are required and begin your formal claims process.

Chemical burn injury FAQs

How long do I have to file a chemical burn lawsuit/claim?

Please contact us now. Don’t wait. Our lawyers may need to move quickly to preserve your legal claim, investigate the cause of the chemical burns, provide proper notices, and review your medical needs.

  • Generally, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Maryland is within three years from the date of your injuries. Some exceptions, such as for claims against the government, may apply. The statute of limitations for minor victims is generally tolled until the minor turns 18.
  • Maryland workers’ compensation claims involve separate notice and filing deadlines. Employees should notify their employer as soon as possible and formally file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission within applicable deadlines.

What Maryland facilities provide emergency medical care for burn injuries?

One major burn treatment facility in Maryland is the Johns Hopkins Burn Center at Bayview in Baltimore. Many local hospitals can also provide quality medical care for chemical burn victims.

Can I sue my employer for a chemical burn?

Generally, employees file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer. There is no need to prove fault in a workers' compensation claim.

Independent contractors can typically file a personal injury claim against the company/person that hires them.

What if a defective product caused my chemical burn?

Employees, independent contractors, and anyone who is legally present where chemical burn injuries occur can file a product liability claim against the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of defective chemical products or containers.

Where can victims seek help for chemical burns?

Our Maryland lawyers have been fighting for personal injury victims and workers’ compensation victims since 1985. We have the experience and resources to help you now.

Do you have a Maryland chemical burn lawyer near me?

Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. has offices located at

  • 575 S Charles Street, Suite 504, Baltimore, MD
  • 10211 Wincopin Circle, Suite 620, Columbia, MD

We represent injury victims, families, and workers across Maryland, including in Columbia, Baltimore, and Frederick. Our attorneys also conduct phone and online video conversations. We can arrange, if necessary, to see you away from the office.

We can guide you through each step of your claim.

Get help from our Maryland chemical burn injury lawyers now

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we understand how traumatic chemical burn injuries are. We have the experience and resources to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. We can answer your questions and explain your rights. We’ll fight for your future.

Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

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