Chicago Burn Injury Attorney

Burn injuries are extremely common across the United States. In 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 398,000 emergency department visits due to burn injuries caused by fire and an additional 252,000 visits due to burns caused by hot objects or substances.

While many burns are minor, some can be life-altering and require extensive medical treatment. Common causes of serious burns include fires, catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, on-the-job accidents, and dangerous products and premises. If you or someone you love sustained burn injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, wrongdoing, or liability, contact the Chicago burn injury lawyers at Power Rogers for a free review of your case.

How do burn injuries commonly occur?

Burn injuries are commonly associated with fire, however, they can result from a wide variety of incidents. There are four major types of burn injuries, which include:

• Thermal burns: This burn is caused by exposure to extreme heat, such as a fire/open flame, hot surface, or hot substance, like steam or boiling water. These burns usually turn red and blister quickly. In some cases, the skin may peel away immediately, leaving the exposed area raw. The longer the exposure to the cause of the burn, the more severe the burn will be.
• Electrical burns: When a person comes in contact with an electrical current, there is a chance for a burn to occur. Electrical burns can be sustained from contact with a live wire or from lightning. The severity of the burn will depend on the length of the exposure and the amount of the current. Electrical burns on the skin may blister, but electrical burns also carry the risk of organ damage.
• Chemical burns: Burns that are caused by exposure to a dangerous chemical are called chemical burns. Chemical burns can even be caused by common household products like bleach. If a chemical is splashed into a person’s eyes, they may lose their vision. Chemical burns can cause serious skin damage and scarring. The severity of a chemical burn depends on the type of chemical a person is exposed to and the length of the exposure.
• Radiation burns: Exposure to radiation can cause mild to serious burns. Sunburns are a common type of radiation burn, but more serious burns can occur when a person is exposed to high-power radio transmitters and some types of medical imaging equipment. Symptoms of this type of burn will look similar to a sunburn, with red, itchy areas of skin that may blister or peel.

What are the degrees of burns?

Burn degrees are measured by how deeply they affect a person’s skin. First-degree burns are considered the mildest, while third-degree burns are the most severe.

• First-degree burns. First-degree burns only affect the epidermis. These burns result in redness, dry skin, and no blisters. Mild sunburns are an example of a first-degree burn.
• Second-degree burns. If a burn is deeper it affects both the epidermis and the dermis of the skin. These burns are more painful and involve redness and blisters that may leak.
• Third-degree burns. The most severe type of burn destroys the epidermis and dermis. The appearance of a third-degree burn will look white or charred. These burns may also damage, muscle, bone, and tendons.

While first and second-degree burns can be easier to recover from, third-degree burns often require extensive medical treatment, including skin debriding and grafting, and in some cases, amputation of the affected limb. Burns can also lead to secondary injuries such as infections, breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, organ dysfunction, and many other problems requiring lifelong care. Those who have suffered from burn injuries may be unable to enjoy the same hobbies or perform the job duties they did before their accident. They may also struggle with the financial costs of ongoing medical treatment.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For Burn Injuries?

Depending on your specific situation, there may be more than one liable party. Employers, property owners, manufacturers, and motor vehicle drivers may all be partly responsible for the burns and injuries that you sustained. Each case is individual and the attorneys at Power Rogers are committed to holding those responsible for injuring others accountable.

Should I Hire an Attorney for a Chicago Burn Injury?

If you’ve sustained a burn injury, an attorney can help you receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and impact to your life. An attorney can collect evidence such as police and fire department reports, ambulance records, traffic cam and CCTV footage, OSHA reports, and other investigative reports to help determine who is at fault for your injury. Hiring an attorney to represent you in your burn injury claim will ensure you have the best chance of recovering fair compensation and that you do not have to navigate the situation alone.

At Powers Rogers, we understand how devastating a burn injury can be and how it can affect a person’s social and work life. We are committed to helping burn victims rebuild their lives and have won substantial verdicts and settlements in cases where individuals suffered severe burn injuries.

If you need a serious advocate in your corner to fight for your rights, contact our Chicago burn injury lawyers today for a free case review.