Burn injuries leave victims with lasting and devastating results. These traumatic injuries are painful and create significant challenges that extend far beyond the initial medical treatment.

If you sustained a burn injury due to another party’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover significant compensation for your medical costs and other losses.

At Cooney & Conway, our attorneys provide the experienced legal guidance burn survivors need. We are dedicated to holding at-fault parties accountable for their negligence and fighting for the compensation you need and deserve.

Can I Sue for My Burn Injuries in Chicago?

If your burn injuries are the result of someone else’s negligent actions, then you may be eligible to sue for damages to aid your recovery and compensate you for your pain and suffering.

Depending on the circumstances of the incident that caused your burns, you may be able to pursue compensation through one or more of these legal pathways:

Personal injury lawsuit
Workplace injuries
Product liability cases
Wrongful death if the burn victim did not survive

How Much Could My Burn Injury Case Be Worth in Illinois?

The value of burn injury cases in Illinois varies significantly based on several critical factors. These factors can help you develop realistic expectations about potential compensation.

Burn Severity Classification

The medical classification of your burn significantly impacts case value. If you have more severe conditions, it could lead to more compensation. Some of the factors that could determine that are medical expenses, ongoing treatment, and recovery time.

Body Location and Visibility

Burns on visible areas like the face, hands, or neck typically yield higher compensation than those on areas usually covered by clothing. Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and the associated emotional distress can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, self-esteem, and social interactions. These visible injuries often necessitate extensive medical treatments like reconstructive surgery or skin grafts.

Medical Expenses and Future Treatment

Burn injury victims may recover compensation for current and future medical expenses, including:

Emergency treatment and hospitalization
Surgical procedures including skin grafts
Rehabilitation therapy
Specialized burn treatments
Reconstructive surgeries
Psychological counseling
Adaptive equipment needs

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

Some injuries may cause you to miss time away from work. Your claim can include compensation that help you with:

Wages lost during initial hospitalization
Income missed during outpatient procedure and follow-up appointments
Compensation for used vacation, sick days, or personal time off
Lost bonuses, commissions, or performance incentives during recovery
Reduced ability to work in previous occupation due to physical limitations
Diminished capacity to work full-time hours after recovery
Permanent career path limitations due to visible scarring or disfigurement
Lost promotions or advancement opportunities during recovery period
Reduced earning trajectory over remaining work life

Pain and Suffering

Illinois places no statutory cap on non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Burn injuries typically receive higher pain and suffering multipliers compared to other injuries due to their:

Extreme physical pain
Psychological trauma
Diminished quality of life
Lengthy recovery periods
Permanent scarring and disfigurement

What Is the Filing Deadline for Burn Injury Claims in Chicago?

Burn injury claims are subject to specific filing deadlines that vary based on the type of claim and the parties involved. These deadlines are essential because missing them typically results in permanently losing your right to seek compensation.

Most burn injury cases in Illinois have a statute of limitations that requires filing within two years from the date of the injury. This deadline applies to:

Residential fires
Vehicle accident burns
Burns from product defects
Burns sustained on private property
Construction site burns involving third parties

What Evidence Can Help to Prove Negligence for a Burn Accident?

You and your attorneys need to prove negligence in burn accident cases and require strong evidence establishing that someone breached their duty of care, causing your injuries. Here are the most crucial forms of evidence that can strengthen your claim:

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence provides tangible proof of the conditions and factors that contributed to the burn injury.

Source of the Burn: Identifying the exact cause, such as defective products, faulty wiring, or hazardous chemicals, is crucial in establishing liability.
Safety Equipment Deficiencies: The absence or malfunctioning of fire extinguishers, sprinklers, or alarms can indicate negligence in maintaining safety standards.
Building Code Violations: Documentation of any breaches in safety regulations, like improper fire exits or blocked pathways, can support claims of negligence.
Product Packaging Flaws: Missing warning labels or inadequate safety instructions on products can point to manufacturer negligence.
Maintenance Records: Logs showing neglected inspections or repairs can demonstrate a failure to address known hazards.

Documentation Evidence

Documentation evidence encompasses written or recorded materials that support the claim.

Incident Reports: Official accounts from first responders or workplace supervisors provide an objective overview of the incident.
Medical Records: Detailed documentation of the burn’s severity, treatment plans, and prognosis help quantify damages.
Employment Records: Information on work assignments and safety training can establish the employer’s role in the incident.
Inspection Logs: Records indicating failed safety inspections or unaddressed recommendations highlight negligence.

Witness Testimony

Testimonies provide personal accounts that can corroborate the victim’s version of events.

Eyewitness Accounts: Individuals who directly observed the incident can offer valuable insights into the circumstances leading to the injury.
Industry Professionals: Professionals like fire investigators, engineers, or safety specialists can provide authoritative opinions on the cause and impact of the incident.
Medical Experts: Burn specialists can attest to the injury’s causation, severity, and long-term impacts.
Coworker Testimonies: Colleagues can shed light on workplace safety practices and any known hazards.

Visual Evidence

Visual documentation offers compelling proof of the incident and its aftermath.

Photographs of the Scene: Images capturing dangerous conditions or safety violations at the accident site can be pivotal.
Injury Documentation: Photographs showing the severity and progression of burn injuries provide tangible evidence of harm.
Video Footage: Surveillance or bystander videos can offer real-time evidence of the incident.

How Can a Lawyer Help My Case?

A lawyer provides vital advantages that significantly strengthen your case and maximize your potential compensation. Your lawyer can help conduct thorough investigations using fire experts and engineers to determine the exact cause.

Below are other ways that a burn injury lawyer can help:

Maximizing Compensation

Ensures all damages are properly documented by medical specialists
Calculates complete economic losses including future earning capacity
Prevents exploitation by insurance companies offering inadequate settlements
Leverages trial preparation to negotiate from a position of strength

Legal Navigation

Files within strict deadlines and handles complex procedural requirements
Coordinates expert witness testimony from medical and investigative specialists
Manages all communications with insurance companies and opposing counsel
Prepares compelling trial exhibits if settlement offers prove inadequate

Causes of Burn Injuries

Burning incidents can happen in different places that have dangerous fire hazards. When a fire start, vulnerable victims in proximity could face:

Residential and Building Fires

Significant burn risks may arise from outdated electrical systems, aging gas lines, and deteriorating wiring. These structural vulnerabilities frequently spark devastating fires, particularly in large multifamily buildings where maintenance may be deferred and escape routes limited.

Workplace Burns

Facilities handling molten materials, caustic chemicals, and high-temperature equipment, such as metal fabrication and chemical processing plants. This poses significant thermal and chemical burn risks, especially when safety protocols are lacking.

Product-Related Burns

Defective electronics with faulty lithium-ion batteries cause severe burns when devices overheat or explode during normal use. Malfunctioning household appliances with heating elements, especially water heaters, space heaters, and hair tools contribute to hundreds of burn cases annually.

Chemical and Industrial Burns

Transport corridors and industrial zones generate hazardous material incidents through train derailments, truck accidents, and facility spills. In these areas, workers or occupants may be exposed to substances causing deep tissue damage.

Explosion-Related Burns

Gas explosions from aging infrastructure, damaged lines during construction, or improper installations can result in devastating burn injuries. In some cases, victims may suffer from thermal burns and traumatic injuries requiring extensive treatment.

What Are the Different Types of Burns?

Burn injuries can happen in various circumstances. Victims may have injuries due to:

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are caused by contact with heat sources. Some examples may include:

Scalding from hot liquids or steam
Flash burns from sudden explosions or flares
Flame burns from building fires, explosions, or flammable liquids
Contact burns from touching hot objects like irons, stoves, or engines

Chemical Burns

Victims may sustain chemical burns from strong acids, alkalis, or corrosive chemicals. This can continue causing damage until the chemical is neutralized or removed.

Common sources include:

Car battery acid
Industrial chemicals and solvents
Pool chemicals, especially chlorine compounds
Household cleaners like drain openers and oven cleaners

Electrical Burns

Electric current passing through the body can cause burns.

Other indicators of electric burns are:

Internal damages to the organs, nerves, and blood vessels
Entry and exit wounds
Cardiac arrhythmias and neurological damage

Radiation Burns

This results from excessive exposure to radiation sources. Some examples may include:

Severe sunburn (ultraviolet radiation)
Radiation therapy complications
Industrial radiation exposure
Nuclear accidents

Fiction Burns

Friction burns are caused by skin rubbing against rough surfaces or combined abrasion with heat-based injury. Common examples include:

Rope burns
Carpet burns
Treadmill injuries
Road rash from motorcycle or bicycle accidents

Cold Burns

Cold burns are also known as frostbite and can damage tissue from extreme cold exposure. Sometimes cold burns can lead to:

Tissue death
Reduced blood flow
Potential amputation
Damaged cells through ice crystal formation

How Are Burn Injuries Classified?

Burns are classified based on their cause and severity. These classifications are essential for proper treatment and determining potential legal outcomes in injury cases.

First-Degree Burns

First degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and are characterized by redness, minor inflammation, and pain. They typically take 3 to 5 days to heal without scarring. Examples of first-degree burns are mild sunburn or brief contact with a hot object. These types of burns generally do not require medical attention unless they cover large areas.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns damage extends through the second layer of the skin along with redness, blistering, severe pain, and swelling.

Other signs may include:

Superficial second-degree burns may heal in 2 to 3 weeks
Deep second-degree burns may take longer and risk scarring
Medical evaluation recommended, especially for burns on face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints

Third-Degree Burns

Victims with third-degree burns extend into underlying fat layer. Some individuals may feel less pain initially due to nerve damage. Other indicators of third-degree burns are:

Always require immediate medical attention
Typically result in significant scarring and may require skin grafting
Healing time extends for months with long-term functional impairment

Fourth-Degree Burns

Fourth degree burns extend beyond the skin into underlying muscles, tendons, and bones. It appears black and charred with exposed underlying tissues.

Some victims may also experience:

Life-threatening medical emergencies
Result in permanent disability and disfigurement
May require amputation and extensive reconstructive surgery

Schedule a Free Consultation with Cooney & Conway Injury Attorneys

Burn injury victims face unique challenges, so choosing the right legal representation becomes critical for your recovery journey.

At Cooney & Conway, our lawyers bring decades of dedicated experience representing injured victims.. We aggressively pursue the compensation you need for current and future expenses, including any surgery or ongoing medical treatments you may need. Our attorneys handle the legal burdens so you can focus fully on healing.

Take the first step toward your recovery today. Call our trusted law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the legal options for your burn injury case.

Cooney & Conway. Billions recovered for our clients. Call: (800) 322-5573 today.

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