Burn injuries can be devastating for victims. They can lead to severe disfigurement and permanent disability. If you or someone you care about has sustained a burn injury that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, contact Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates as soon as possible. Our Chicago burn injury lawyers will get to work on your case immediately. Our goal is to secure all compensation you need for your burn injury expenses so you can get back on your feet. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation, contact our office today.
Why choose Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
When you have suffered from a devastating burn injury that was caused by another person’s negligence, you need to seek assistance from an attorney you can trust both personally and professionally. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we have the experience you need.
- The Horwitz family has proudly served the Chicago area as skilled trial attorneys since the 1920s and are known for their record-breaking settlements and verdicts.
- Our team always puts the client first. We will keep you continually updated about your case and we will never settle for less than what your case is worth.
- We take all Chicago burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you will pay us no legal fees until we secure a favorable settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Burn injury meaning
According to the American Burn Association, approximately 450,000 people receive medical treatment for burn injuries in hospitals in this country each year. Many more seek treatment at other types of medical centers (private doctor’s offices, clinics, or other medical facility). Around 3,400 people are killed each year due to burn incidents.
Burn injury types, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include the following:
- Light burns: caused by sunlight or UV light. We typically associate this with sunburns.
- Thermal burns: caused by contact with fire, steam, other heated liquids, or other sources of high heat.
- Chemical burns: caused by contact with acid, alkali, or other chemicals.
- Radiation burns: caused by contact with nuclear radiation and are not as common as other types of burns.
Types of burn injuries
Burn injuries are typically classified by their severity. According to WebMD, the levels of burn severity range from first- to fourth-degree (though some classifications only go to third-degree):
- First-degree: Only affect the outer layer of skin and are considered the least severe type of burn. These burns usually only result in mild irritation, red skin, and some pain.
- Second-degree: This type of burn is going to affect the outer and immediate under layer of skin, called the dermis. This type of burn will typically result in red, swollen skin that will blister. These burns can lead to a permanent change in a person’s skin to the affected area.
- Third-degree: This is considered a full-thickness burn and will typically destroy two layers of skin. This type of burn can appear white, brown, yellow, or black. This type of burn is likely to destroy nerve endings and can lead to significant scarring.
- Fourth-degree: This is the most serious type of burn a person can sustain and are typically life-threatening. They usually destroy every layer of skin and can damage bones, muscles, and tendons.
In many burn cases, a person will experience multiple degrees of burns at once. For example, someone who has a third-degree burn may also have second- and first-degree burns around the more severe burn.
It is important to note that burn victims are very prone to sustaining infections in the aftermath of their injury. This includes the period immediately following the burn injury as well as at any point during their recovery. There is also a high likelihood that their body will reject any skin grafts that are necessary.
Types of compensation you may seek after a burn injury
Burn injuries can become incredibly expensive. Aside from the initial emergency medical costs, burn victims often face a long road to recovery. This can include:
- Numerous surgical procedures and skin grafts to repair the damage
- Plastic surgery to restore appearance and functionality
- Treatment for any infections that occur
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Follow-up doctor’s visits
At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we regularly help burn accident victims secure the following compensation:
- Coverage of all medical expenses they incur
- Recovery of lost wages if they cannot work
- Loss of future earnings if they are unable to work
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
The total amount of compensation a victim will receive differs from case to case. No two burn injury incidents are alike, and the total amount awarded will vary.
How an attorney can help with this case
When a burn injury is caused by another person’s negligence, the victim will need to prove liability. This can become incredibly difficult. A Chicago burn injury lawyer will have the resources and knowledge necessary to properly investigate what happened.
Some questions your Chicago burn injury lawyer will ask during the course of their investigation could include:
- Was the burn injury caused by any foreseeable hazards that a negligent party failed to remedy?
- Was the burn injury caused by a defective product such as a tool, cleaner, toy, etc.?
- Was the burn injury caused by the intentional actions of another person?
Your burn injury attorney will diligently work to:
- Obtain all evidence related to the incident, including video or photo surveillance, eyewitness accounts of the incident, accident reports, and more.
- Ensure that you are seen by the appropriate burn specialists who can fully assess the extent of your burn injuries.
- Negotiate with all parties involved, including aggressive insurance carriers, to secure the compensation you are entitled to.
- Prepare to take your case to trial if that is what it takes to secure the compensation you need.
Schedule a free consultation
If you or someone you care about has sustained a burn injury that was caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions, seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, our knowledgeable and experienced team is going to get to work on your case immediately. We will handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on recovering and being with your family. When you need a Chicago burn injury attorney, do not hesitate to reach out to us today.
