A burn injury can be painful when it is minor, but severe burns put patients at risk of additional health issues, such as infection. Burns can happen at home, at work, or as the result of a car accident, but they all require immediate medical attention and investigation for who is at fault. Suppose fire, dangerous substances, or a product malfunction burned you or a loved one. In that case, you may be eligible to seek compensation with the help of a qualified Chicago burn injury lawyer.

At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, a Chicago catastrophic injury lawyer can help you determine the best legal option for your case and move forward to seek compensation. You deserve to seek justice from negligent individuals who contributed to your harm. Schedule a free consultation today to speak with our professionals and learn more.

We’ve offered top-tier legal representation for over 100 years

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has been a premier personal injury law firm in Chicago for over a century. We offer a tremendous background in all areas of injury law and strive to obtain the maximum compensation for each client. Our burn injury lawyers in Chicago focus on the special nuances of calculating damages for cases that can affect victims for the rest of their lives.

We recognize that burn injuries are expensive to treat, and you may be concerned about adding attorney’s fees to the bills you already face. Rest assured that we help ease your fears by offering free initial case reviews and a contingency fee structure where we only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay – it’s that simple.

As you learn more about us, you’ll find our attorneys are fiercely determined to ensure each client feels cared for and protected. When we assess your case, we answer your questions and determine the best approach, even if other law firms have told you that you don’t have a case. We don’t give up on you, so you don’t give up on holding wrongdoers accountable for what they’ve done to you.

Our past clients believe in us and we think you will, too

At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, helping them have the resources they need to heal. For burn victims, this may include financial relief for years of surgeries and rehabilitation treatments, as well as lost income while dealing with their recovery. Clients like you have put their trust in us, and here some are their testimonials.

Burn injuries are often severe and require experienced lawyers to ensure the best results

Your first worry after a burn injury is getting medical treatment, especially if the damage is serious. After you’ve begun to heal, you may realize that someone else is to blame for your injury, but you’re unsure of how to proceed. It is vital to collect evidence and maintain records to support your claim against negligence parties, which is easier with the help of our Chicago burn injury lawyers.

Common causes of burn injuries

While you can get burned almost any place, Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates frequently assist those burned at work. Construction employees and other laborers work with high voltage, large equipment, hazardous chemicals, and flammable materials. The American Burn Association reports that almost 400,000 people a year require medical treatment, and nearly 30,000 end up at the hospital.

Common situations where you might be seriously burned include:

• Camping or working with a fireplace at home
• Explosions after a vehicle accident
• Batteries or chargers that explode or overheat
• Hot stoves or other home appliances
• Overexposure to heat without appropriate protection
• Frayed electrical cords or equipment
• Unsecured substances that catch fire or cause chemical burns
• Cold burns from liquid nitrogen or other extremely low-temperature environments

Determining who is responsible for your injuries can be a crucial part of your case. Your attorney will identify all liable parties and develop evidence showing how they contributed to your burns. Manufacturers, distributors, sellers, repair shops, operators, property owners, automotive drivers, and fellow employees may be some of those at fault. Your burn injury lawyer will explore every avenue for compensation.

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates has experience handling all types and degrees of burns

Burns may be mild and heal in a couple of weeks, but those that result from work injuries, vehicle accidents, or severe product flaws can leave victims with months of recovery. In the most desperate cases, patients may lose limbs or organ function, sometimes passing away from subsequent infections. Your attorney will collaborate with medical experts to help diagnose the severity of your injuries and estimate how much your costs may be.

Part of what affects your recovery is how widespread the burns are. Another is the degree. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are three primary degrees of burn injuries:

• 1st-degree: Least harmful, usually affecting just the epidermis (the outermost layer of your skin)
• 2nd-degree:  Involving the epidermis and dermis (the second skin layer) and leading to scars, swelling, and blistering, with recovery taking several weeks
• 3rd-degree: Affects the epidermis, dermis, and nerve endings, with the area blackened or white, often requiring several skin grafts and additional surgeries over months or years

In catastrophic instances, patients may suffer what are known as 4th-degree burns that remove bone, tendons, and muscle. The damage may require amputation to remove destroyed body parts and prevent the risk of necrosis or infection. If a patient dies from their burn injuries, families often wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover their loved one’s medical and final expenses.

Let our Chicago burn injury attorneys tackle your case with experience and skill

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates understands your concerns about managing a complicated burn injury case in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We are on your side and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or at (800) 985-1819 to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago burn injury lawyer today.

Our Chicago burn injury attorneys answer your frequently asked questions

Does my burn injury case have to go to court?

In almost all personal injury claims, the first step is to file an insurance claim against the policy of anyone found liable for your harm. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurers to seek a fair settlement based on evidence detailing the injury and who caused it. If these discussions aren’t productive or reach a standstill, your attorney may advise you to move to trial.

Settlements are still possible until the case is handed to the jury. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we strive to settle as quickly as possible to save you unnecessary time and expense, but we never stop fighting for what you deserve.

What if I’m partly at fault for my burns?

In Illinois, burn injury cases are subject to the comparative fault system, allowing defendants to claim the victim was partly at fault. If you did contribute to your injuries in some way, it’s vital that your attorney work to minimize the amount of fault assigned to you. If you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot seek damages.

Otherwise, your percentage of fault affects your settlement by reducing it by the same amount. For example, if you’re 20% at fault when seeking $10,000 in damages, you will only receive $8,000 if you win.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit for my burn injury in Chicago?

The Illinois statute of limitations allows victims only two years to file their lawsuits after the date they are injured. Because you may need extended medical care after severe burns, you should contact a burn injury attorney as quickly as possible so they can begin working on your case. Collecting evidence, witness statements, and expert testimony can take some time, in addition to insurance negotiations.

If your burn injury is work-related, you will likely need to also file for workers’ compensation and potentially file a lawsuit against any responsible third party. Suppose you were injured on government property or by a government employee. In that case, you must also file a “notice of claim” with the Illinois Court of Claims indicating your intent to pursue legal action.

Resources for Chicago burn injury victims

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

25 E Washington St
Ste 900
Chicago, Illinois 60602

Directions

Call us: (800) 985-1819

Burn care centers

• University of Chicago Burn and Complex Wound Center
• The Burn Center at Loyola Medicine
• John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County

Loyola Medicine support group

Loyola sponsors a support group for burn survivors and their families. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Contact Kelly McElligott at (708) 216-4171 for more information.