Chicago Burn Injuries (Thermal, Chemical & Electrical)
People often underestimate burns, but severe burns can devastate the immune system, cause permanent disfigurement, and create lifelong pain. Hundreds of thousands of victims seek care for burn injuries each year, and many of those injuries happen because of another party’s negligence.
If you’ve suffered a burn because of someone else’s actions, you may be able to seek compensation for medical care, time off work, and future needs. Reach out to Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. online or call (312) 236-2900 to discuss your case.
The Dangers of Burn Injuries
Burns can trigger a cascade of serious complications. The larger the burn area, the higher the fluid loss, shock, and infection risk. Deep burns often require ICU-level care, multiple debridements, and staged skin grafts. Even after the skin closes, patients can face nerve damage, chronic neuropathic pain, and severe scarring that limits movement and affects work and daily life.
Disfigurement & Contractures: Hypertrophic scarring and contractures can tighten skin over joints, reducing range of motion and requiring revision surgeries or physical therapy.
Infection & Sepsis: Damaged skin leaves the body vulnerable to bacteria, increasing hospital stays and costs.
Inhalation Injury: Smoke and superheated gases can damage airways and lungs, often necessitating intubation and long rehabilitation.
Psychological Trauma: Anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common and compensable when properly documented.
Burn severity depends on depth (degree) and total body surface area (TBSA), as well as location (face, hands, feet, groin, major joints) and co-injuries such as fractures or head trauma.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burns occur in many scenarios. When negligence is involved, Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit:
Vehicle accidents & roadway fires: Post-collision fires, hot fluids, or airbag propellant burns; negligent drivers and commercial carriers can be liable.
Explosions & blasts: Fuel leaks, gas line failures, or workplace explosions can cause catastrophic thermal and inhalation injuries.
Chemical accidents: Industrial cleaners, acids/alkalis, and improper labeling/handling cause deep chemical burns and eye injuries; may implicate product liability and employer/third-party negligence.
Residential & commercial fires: Faulty wiring, space heaters, code violations, and landlord negligence; potential premises liability claims.
Defective products: Batteries, appliances, e-bikes, and charging devices that overheat or ignite; claims against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
Electrocution & electrical burns: Exposed wiring, unsafe worksites, or product defects; deep tissue damage not visible at the surface.
Scalding: Hot water, steam lines, coffee spills in restaurants, or inadequate anti-scald devices; common in daycare, elder care, and rental units.
Medical negligence: OR warming devices, diathermy/cautery injuries, or failure to prevent pressure/chemical burns during procedures.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are classified by depth and may require different treatments and timelines:
First-degree (superficial): Redness and pain; usually heals in days without scarring.
Second-degree (partial thickness): Blistering and severe pain; infection risk; may need debridement, dressings, and sometimes grafting.
Third-degree (full thickness): Destroys all skin layers; may be painless due to nerve loss; requires surgical management and grafts.
Electrical burns: Current can cause deep muscle and organ damage; cardiac monitoring and surgical exploration may be required.
Chemical burns: Tissue destruction continues until neutralized; early irrigation and specialist care are critical.
Inhalation injury: Airway burns from smoke/superheated gases; risk of respiratory failure and prolonged hospitalization.
How Burn Injuries Are Treated
Hospitals follow burn protocols that may include fluid resuscitation, wound debridement, infection control, pain management, and surgical coverage using autografts or advanced dressings. Rehabilitation involves scar management (compression garments, silicone, laser therapy), range-of-motion work, and counseling. Severe cases require multiple surgeries and long-term follow-up with burn specialists.
Compensation for Burn Injuries in Chicago, IL
If another party’s negligence caused your burns, you may pursue damages that reflect both immediate and future needs:
Medical bills: ER, ICU, surgeries, grafts, dressings, medications, and follow-ups (medical expenses)
Fire reports, incident reports, surveillance, and scene photos
Product evidence (batteries, appliances) for product liability claims
Medical records (TBSA, depth, graft notes), wound photos, and therapy logs
Work restrictions, HR correspondence, pay stubs, and vocational assessments
Expert opinions (burn surgery, life-care planning, economics, fire investigation)
Choosing a Chicago Burn Injury Attorney
Insurers often minimize burn claims—labeling them “partial thickness” or “cosmetic”—while ignoring pain, surgical risk, or the real cost of scarring and contracture management. Adjusters may pressure you for recorded statements or social media posts that downplay your limitations. Once you accept a low settlement and sign a release, you usually cannot ask for more—even if new procedures or grafts are required.
Protect Your Claim: We handle insurer communications so you can focus on healing.
Prove the Full Harm: We work with burn surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and life-care planners to document long-term needs.
Value the Future: We account for revision surgeries, compression garments, laser treatments, and lost earning capacity—not just today’s bills.
Burn recovery is a long, painful process. Reduce stress by entrusting legal issues to a personal injury attorney who understands complex burn litigation and Illinois law.
Why Staver Accident Injury Lawyers for a Burn Case?
Medical-Legal Command: We translate burn surgery notes, TBSA charts, and rehab plans into clear, persuasive proof of harm.
Future-Focused Strategy: We build life-care plans that account for revision procedures, garments, therapy, and mental health support.
Negotiation & Litigation: We prepare every case as if it may go to trial—maximizing leverage and protecting you in court if needed.
Accessible Representation: Our no-win, no-fee model means no upfront costs; we’re paid only if we recover compensation for you.
Our Chicago Burn Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help
We understand the pain and uncertainty that follow a serious burn—and how aggressive insurers can be. Before you sign anything, contact Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. We’ll evaluate liability, preserve evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery.
How Do I Know If My Burn Is “Serious Enough” for a Claim?
If another party’s negligence caused your burn—or worsened it—you may have a claim. Deep (third-degree) burns, high TBSA, facial/hand burns, inhalation injuries, or any burn requiring grafts or hospitalization are strong indicators. A brief consultation can clarify your options under Illinois law.
What If the Insurer Says My Scars Are Only “Cosmetic”?
Scars and contractures can limit movement, affect work, and require costly revisions. We document functional impairment, pain, and psychological impact and use expert opinions to rebut “cosmetic only” arguments.
Who Can Be Liable for a Burn Injury in Chicago?
Potentially negligent drivers, property owners/managers, landlords, employers/contractors (third-party claims), manufacturers/distributors/retailers, and healthcare providers. We analyze the facts, identify coverage, and pursue all responsible parties.
How Are Burn Injury Settlements Calculated?
Value depends on severity (depth/TBSA), location, surgeries, hospitalization length, complications, permanent scarring, work impact, and future care needs. Life-care plans and economic analyses help quantify long-term costs.
How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?
Many personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury date, though exceptions can apply (e.g., certain medical or product claims, minors). Speak with a lawyer promptly to protect your rights and evidence.
Should I Talk to the Insurance Adjuster?
Not before legal advice. Early statements—or social media posts—are often used to downplay pain and limitations. We handle communications and ensure your damages are fully documented before negotiations.
We understand how much pain you must be in and how confused you may be about your next step. Perhaps you’ve even been contacted by the insurance company, and you aren’t sure how you can protect your rights. Before you do anything else, contact the team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. now.
Serious injuries don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, which is why we are always available to help if you have been hurt. Our team is available around the clock to provide the support you need.
