If you’ve just suffered a burn injury take these steps to protect yourself and the possibilities of filing a future lawsuit.  

Regardless of the severity of the burn you should be cautious and see a medical professional. Even if you feel the burn isn’t bad enough, a medical professional will be your best advocate for your health. Additionally, if there is a chance that you need to file an injury lawsuit, seeing a medical professional helps strengthen your case. 

Some burn injury cases can take months or years to process. By this time your injuries might have healed and you’ve gotten back to normal. Taking good notes, pictures, and documenting everything that has happened will really help your case. A judge, jury, or even settlement from the insurance company will REALLY see how your injuries affected your life. It’s so much better than trying to paint a verbal image for them, and then they see you sitting there looking normal. 

We’ve handled hundreds of burn cases for our clients. There will be legal options you’re not aware of. We’ll be able to protect you from aggressive insurance companies. We’ll be able to give you peace of mind and guide you for what to expect next. We’ll handle all the paperwork and give you suggestions for how we can best help you win your case. It’s well proven that hiring a personal injury lawyer results in more compensations and quicker settlements. 

Learn More About Our Lawyers

Due to the complexity each case is different. There is no swift yes or no answer. Each burn accident needs to be evaluated and investigated. Burn injuries can be complex and long lasting. They have some of the most severe consequences and commonly, the most severe form of physical and emotional trauma. Treatment for burn injuries can be expensive and extensive. They can easily reach and exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Attorneys that work with burn injuries will be able to listen to your story and give you feedback on how strong your case might be. Tell us your story our consultation if free – Available 24/7 – (815) 315-4967 

If you feel that your burn was the cause of neglect there are a few ways our attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, missed work, and pain. 

If your accident was the result of negligence our offices can file a personal injury claim against the person who caused your injuries. 

Personal Injury Covers Many Accident Types, Learn More Here

If the burn was the result of a car crash, or in a place of business a claim can be filed against the insurance company.That is if the policy covers it. But, sometimes there are limits on what is covered and the coverage might not be enough to cover all of your damages. 

A lawyer can help navigate all the specifics and provide you with your best course of action. 

More About Car Accidents and Insurance Claims Here

If you were burned at work your employers workers’ comp insurance can cover the costs associated with your accident. Our lawyers can help you fill out all the paperwork and make sure you’re claiming everything you need to so you can get back to work. 

More About Workers’ Comp Here

There are 4 Levels or Degrees of Burn Injuries:

First-Degree Burns — A person sustains first-degree burns when the outer layer of skin is affected. Such as a mild to moderate sunburn. The damage to one’s skin involves mild pain and redness but does not involve blistering or permanent scarring.

Second-Degree Burns — A person sustains second-degree burns when both the outer layer of skin and the dermis are damaged. Besides pain and redness, second-degree burns may lead to swelling and blistering. A second-degree burn may be superficial, whereby only a part of the dermis suffers damage. Or a second-degree burn may be deeper (“partial-thickness burn”), resulting in scarring and skin discoloration.

Third-Degree Burns — A person sustains a third-degree burn, also known as a “full-thickness burn,” when the two top layers of skin are destroyed. Rather than being red, a third-degree burn appears white, black, or yellow, and because third-degree burns damage nerve endings, a burn injury victim may not feel the extent of the burns.

Fourth-Degree Burns — A person sustains fourth-degree burns, which can be life-threatening when all layers of one’s skin are destroyed. As well as damage to one’s muscles, tendons, and even one’s bones.

Thermal Burns — These burns result when skin cells begin dying from an increase in temperature of the skin, such as a fire.

Electrical Burns — These burns are the direct result of exposure to an electrical current.

Cold Burns — Frostbite is a “cold burn” that results from the death of skin cells upon freezing. Many frostbite injuries or cold burns lead to amputation.

Friction Burns — These burns happen when an object rubs off one’s skin. Such burns are often associated with motorcycle or bicycle accidents. A person gets thrown or tossed on a roadway, and suffers what many call “road rash.”

Chemical Burns — These burns result from contact with acids, solvents, or detergents.

Radiation Burns — These burns result from exposure to the sun (sunburn), x-rays, or radiation therapy.

The statute of limitations for lawsuits involving burn injuries will vary based on the type of lawsuit at issue. Under Illinois law, most statutes of limitations involving injuries are consistent, providing an injured person two years to file a lawsuit. 

Per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, a burn injury victim has two years from the date the cause of action accrues to file a personal injury lawsuit. The accrual date, in most cases, is the date the injuries are suffered. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-213, a burn injury victim has two years from the date he or she became aware that his or her burn injuries were caused by a defective product to file a product liability lawsuit. The date at issue — in most cases — is the date burn injuries are sustained. 

However, with some liability lawsuits, the date one becomes aware that his or her burn injuries are linked to a defective product may come days, weeks, or even months after the injuries are sustained. In such cases, the statute of limitations begins to run at that later “discovery” date.

When burn injuries are fatal, a surviving spouse, adult child, or another legal representative may choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit. According to 740 ILCS 180/1, the legal representative must file the wrongful death lawsuit no more than two years after the date of the injury victim’s death, regardless of whether the lawsuit involves negligent conduct or allegedly defective products.

No Fees Unless We Win – FREE CONSULTATION

At Rockford Personal Injury Lawyers: Marriett & Murati, our office is uniquely situated to handle burn injury cases. We keep a trim caseload and have the time and resources to adequately investigate, and prepare a case to seek maximum compensation. From doing onsite investigations, talking to witnesses, and building a case for trial from the very beginning. We’ve helped hundreds and have the right systems in place to help maximize the recovery for our clients. 

For a FREE and honest consultation call, text, us 24/7/365 815-315-4967 or email – contact@rockfordpersonalinjury.com

All burn injury victims in Illinois should consider how an Illinois Burn Injury Lawyer can significantly help increase the chances of obtaining compensation.