Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns are not only painful and terrifying to experience, but they also leave lasting physical and emotional scars. Severe burns are catastrophic injuries that have permanent effects on all aspects of the injury victim’s life. When someone else caused or could have prevented the burn injuries, it’s even more devastating.

While no legal process erases burns, you may have the right to compensation. Call Smith LaCien LLP to speak to a Chicago personal injury lawyer during a free consultation.

Why Choose Us for Your Chicago Burn Injury Law Firm?

At Smith LaCien, we have decades of experience, knowledge, and resources to put behind your claim as we represent your best interests throughout the process. With Smith LaCien LLP, you can expect the following:

• A commitment to compassionate legal representation while we tirelessly fight for the justice and financial accountability our injured clients deserve
• An individualized strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case, always aimed at achieving the maximum compensation available to you
• Access to key resources, such as medical experts to testify in your case

We understand that no one saves for the possibility of requiring a personal injury attorney. For this reason, we offer a free consultation followed by contingency-based payment, so you owe nothing until after we’ve recovered compensation for you.

Understanding the Severity Of Burn Injuries

Burn specialists classify the severity of a burn by the following degree system based on the depth of the injury’s penetration through the skin layers:

• First-degree burns are superficial and damage only the skin’s surface layer. The skin may be very red, but doesn’t blister or develop scars
• Second-degree burns penetrate through the surface layer of skin and impact the second and third layers, causing redness, inflammation, and often painful blisters
• Third-degree burns penetrate all skin layers and may damage or destroy the underlying fat and muscle. Nerves and bones may sustain damage. Third-degree burns may have a blackened or charred appearance

Second and third-degree burns require specialized medical treatment.

According to the Mayo Clinic, third-degree burns often require debridement procedures and skin grafts. Burn injuries at this level may easily become infected and require antibiotic treatment.

Many burn victims experience burns on wide sections of their bodies and may have burns at different degrees.

Common Causes of Burns In Chicago Burn Injury Claims

If another individual, business, or other entity is responsible for your burns due to their negligent, reckless, or wrongful actions, they may be held financially accountable through a burn injury claim under the state’s modified comparative negligence law. The most common causes of burns in Chicago burn injury cases include the following:

• Structure fires, including in apartments, hotels, and workplaces
• Car accidents
• Commercial truck accidents
• Chemical exposures
• Electrocutions
• Gas line explosions
• Defective products, such as fireworks, firearms, grills, and lighters

Most burn injury claims in Chicago are filed against the at-fault party’s insurance; for instance, auto insurance after a car accident or property owner’s insurance after an apartment fire.

What Damages Are Available In a Chicago Burn Injury Case?

Besides being painful and disfiguring, burns are expensive to treat, requiring specialized care in burn units. With evidence of the at-fault party’s liability, a successful claim recovers compensation for damages such as:

• Past and future medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs
• Total income loss and reduced future earning ability
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Catastrophic injury compensation for severe burns with permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability

Evidence of liability must demonstrate that the at-fault party owed a legal duty of reasonable care to the burn victim, that they breached this duty and caused injury, and that the injury victim suffered damages from the injury.

Contact a Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer From Smith LaCien LLP

After an injury, the at-fault party’s insurance company is not on your side and may actively try to undermine your claim to protect profits by limiting your compensation. You deserve assertive legal representation throughout every step of your claim to maximize your financial recovery while you focus on your physical recovery.