Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating injuries a person can suffer. Severe burns cause excruciating pain, permanent scarring and disfigurement, psychological trauma, and often require years of treatment including multiple surgeries. When burns are caused by someone else’s negligence—whether from fires, explosions, chemical exposure, or defective products—victims deserve full compensation for their suffering.
Burn injury cases often involve complex liability questions and require understanding of burn treatment, reconstruction, and long-term care needs. This guide highlights the best burn injury lawyers in Chicago who have the expertise to handle these challenging cases.
Understanding Burn Injuries
Burn Severity Classifications
- First-degree burns – Affect only the outer skin layer (epidermis). Painful but usually heal without scarring.
- Second-degree burns – Extend into the dermis. Cause blistering, severe pain, and potential scarring.
- Third-degree burns – Destroy full skin thickness. May be painless due to nerve destruction. Require skin grafts.
- Fourth-degree burns – Extend into muscle, bone, and tendons. Life-threatening and require extensive surgery.
Types of Burns
- Thermal burns – Caused by fire, flames, hot liquids, or hot surfaces
- Electrical burns – From contact with electricity; often cause internal damage
- Chemical burns – From acids, alkalis, or other caustic substances
- Radiation burns – From exposure to radiation sources
- Friction burns – Road rash and similar injuries
- Inhalation injuries – From breathing hot gases or smoke
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
- Residential fires – Faulty wiring, heating equipment, cooking accidents
- Workplace accidents – Industrial fires, chemical exposure, electrical accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents – Post-collision fires and explosions
- Defective products – Exploding batteries, flammable products, faulty appliances
- Gas explosions – Natural gas leaks, propane accidents
- Chemical accidents – Industrial and household chemical exposure
- Electrical accidents – Power line contact, faulty electrical systems
- Scalding – Hot water and liquid burns, often affecting children
- Restaurant and cooking accidents – Grease fires, hot oil burns
Consequences of Severe Burns
Physical Effects
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of mobility and function
- Contractures (tightening of skin limiting movement)
- Nerve damage and chronic pain
- Increased infection risk
- Temperature regulation problems
- Amputation of severely burned limbs
Treatment Requirements
- Emergency care and burn center treatment
- Multiple skin graft surgeries
- Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Compression garments worn for years
- Pain management
- Psychological counseling
Psychological Impact
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and anxiety
- Body image issues and social isolation
- Fear of fire or triggering situations
Liability in Burn Injury Cases
Property Owner Negligence
Landlords, businesses, and property owners may be liable for fires caused by:
- Faulty electrical systems
- Lack of smoke detectors or fire extinguishers
- Blocked fire exits
- Failure to address fire hazards
Employer Negligence
Employers may be liable for workplace burns from:
- Inadequate safety training
- Missing protective equipment
- OSHA violations
- Hazardous working conditions
Product Liability
Manufacturers may be liable for burns caused by:
- Defective batteries (lithium-ion fires)
- Flammable products
- Faulty appliances and heaters
- Exploding pressure cookers or grills
Motor Vehicle Negligence
Drivers may be liable for burns from post-collision fires and explosions.
Best Burn Injury Lawyers in Chicago
1. Phillips Law Offices
Chicago’s Premier Burn Injury Attorneys
Phillips Law Offices is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s leading firms for burn injury cases. With decades of experience representing victims of fires, explosions, and chemical burns, their attorneys understand the extensive medical treatment, lifetime scarring, and profound emotional impact these injuries cause. The firm has successfully handled cases involving workplace burns, defective products, residential fires, and vehicle fires.
Phillips Law Offices works with burn specialists, plastic surgeons, and psychologists to document the full impact of burn injuries. They understand how to value claims that include years of reconstructive surgery and permanent disfigurement. Operating on a contingency fee basis, clients pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
2. Clifford Law Offices
Nationally Recognized Catastrophic Injury Advocates
Clifford Law Offices brings substantial resources to burn injury cases.
3. Power Rogers & Smith
Record-Setting Catastrophic Injury Verdicts
Power Rogers & Smith has achieved significant verdicts for burn victims.
4. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
High-Value Burn Injury Litigation
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard handles serious burn injury claims.
5. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Dedicated Burn Injury Representation
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has experience with burn injury cases.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
- Emergency and burn center treatment
- Multiple surgeries and skin grafts
- Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery
- Future medical costs
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Pain management and medication
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma and PTSD treatment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages
Illinois Burn Injury Law
Statute of Limitations
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, personal injury claims must be filed within two years.
Comparative Negligence
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Official Resources
- American Burn Association
- 735 ILCS 5/13-202 – Statute of Limitations
- OSHA – Workplace safety information
- Illinois Courts
Fighting for Burn Injury Victims
Burn injuries cause unimaginable pain and permanent disfigurement. Victims face years of treatment and profound emotional trauma. When burns result from negligence, victims deserve full compensation.
Firms like Phillips Law Offices have the experience to handle burn injury claims. Contact an experienced attorney today.
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