If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Cool the burn with cool, not icy, running water for a good while. Do not put ice, butter or grease on it.
- 2Call 911 for burns on the face, hands, feet, joints or groin, large burns, deep or white or charred skin, or if you breathed in smoke or steam.
- 3Gently remove rings, watches or tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts, unless they are stuck to the skin.
- 4Cover the burn loosely with a clean, dry cloth or non-stick dressing.
- 5Tell your kitchen manager or chef right away, and report it in writing before you leave.
- 6Write down what burned you: fryer oil, a sheet pan, the flat-top, boiling water, a dish machine, or a splash while draining pasta.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Kitchen burns are so common that many cooks treat them as part of the job. But burns can blister, become infected or scar, and hand burns can affect your grip. A written report creates a record if a burn that seemed minor turns out to need more care.
In your report, describe the equipment and what happened: a fryer basket that splashed, a towel that slipped on a hot handle, a crowded line, a wet floor near the stove. If equipment was faulty, such as a broken handle or a fryer that overheated, say so.
The time limits for reporting an injury and filing a claim differ from state to state. Ask your manager how the restaurant handles injuries, and check with your state's workers' compensation agency soon. Part-time and tipped workers are often covered, but ask.
Keep photos of the burn as it heals, your report, clinic papers and your schedule. If you work at more than one restaurant, note that too.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can evaluate how deep the burn is and decide what care fits. Hand burns may be referred to hand and upper extremity care. Watch for signs of infection your clinician tells you about. Show the clinician photos from right after the burn if it has already changed. Tell them whether oil, water, steam or a hot surface caused it, since each can burn differently.
Tell the clinic the burn happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your manager or the adjuster. If you work at a restaurant that sends staff to a specific urgent care, follow that process for non-emergency visits.
If you are prescribed medication or dressings, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is often available.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Your burn is serious, scars or affects how you use your hands.
- You are told to finish your shift and not report it.
- Your hours are cut after you report the burn.
- Wound care or specialist visits are delayed or denied.
- The claim is denied because you are part-time or tipped.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Keep the burn clean as directed and go to follow-up visits. Burns can change over a few days, so take photos. Burns on the hands and fingers can stiffen as they heal. Tell your clinician if you have trouble gripping knives, pans or tongs.
Ask about restrictions, such as no wet work, no gloves over the burn, or no time near heat. Share them with your manager and ask about tasks like prep away from the line or front-of-house duties. Gloves, sleeve covers, splash guards and fryer baskets with sturdy handles are examples of equipment some kitchens use to prevent repeat burns.
Stay in touch with your manager and the adjuster, especially about missed shifts. Ask before returning to the fryer or flat-top whether any equipment issue was fixed.
Questions to ask
- Who do I report a burn to, and is there a form?
- Which clinic should I go to for a work burn?
- Doctor, how deep is this burn and what signs of infection should I watch for?
- Can I work with this burn, and what should I avoid?
- Can the fryer or equipment be checked?
- How are work-injury prescriptions and dressings handled, and can they be delivered?
- Attorney, what if my hours are cut after I report?
- Can I get a sleeve cover or longer gloves for fryer work?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do right after a restaurant kitchen burn?
Cool it under cool running water, remove rings or tight items nearby, and cover it loosely. Call 911 for serious burns. Then tell your manager and report it in writing.
Is a kitchen burn covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Burns from cooking equipment at work are generally the kind of injury workers' comp addresses. Report it promptly.
Should I put ice on a burn?
No, cool running water is the common first aid, not ice. Ice can damage skin further. Get medical care for serious burns.
When is a kitchen burn an emergency?
Call 911 for burns on the face, hands, feet, joints or groin, large burns, deep burns, or if you inhaled smoke or steam. Grease fires can cause serious burns. Do not wait.
Are part-time restaurant workers covered for burns?
Many are, but it depends on your state and employer. Being part-time or tipped does not by itself mean you are not covered. Ask your state's agency.
Can I keep working the line with a burn?
It depends on the burn and your clinician's advice. Heat, water and gloves can affect healing. Ask for restrictions in writing.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).