Hazel Crest Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn accidents can happen almost anywhere. If someone else’s negligence caused your catastrophic injuries, you could receive compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. A Hazel Crest burn injury lawyer could help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Types of Burn Injuries

Many types of accidents can cause burns that damage the skin. Some examples include:

  • Kitchen accidents in which skin comes in contact with a hot stovetop or oven
  • Bathroom accidents involving scalding water
  • Defective products that are fire hazards
  • Automobile accidents in which a vehicle catches fire
  • Fires in commercial buildings that lack fire safety equipment
  • Locked fire exits in public spaces such as restaurants or movie theaters
  • Faulty electric wiring causing home and building fires

Because burn injuries are often caused by carelessness, a lawyer in the area can review a case and determine if negligence is a factor.

Negligence is the Basis for a Burn Injury Claim

In a burn injury claim, a plaintiff must prove the defendant’s negligence. The four factors of negligence claims are:

  • The defendant has a duty to act reasonably toward others
  • The defendant acted recklessly and caused harm to the plaintiff
  • The defendant’s act is the actual and proximate cause of the accident
  • The plaintiff is injured because of the defendant’s actions

A local attorney with experience in burn accidents could review the specific circumstances of a case to determine if a negligence claim is appropriate.

Accident Victims Can Sustain Three Types of Burns

Burn wounds are categorized as first, second, or third degree depending on their severity. A lawyer in the area can review medical records to help determine the compensation a victim will need to recover from burn injuries.

First-Degree Burns are Most Common and Least Severe

First degree burns affect the top layer of skin and rarely demand anything more than soothing ointment. Even if someone else caused a first-degree burn, the damages probably would not warrant filing a lawsuit for negligence.

Second Degree Burns May Require Medical Attention

When a burn penetrates the top layer of skin into the dermis, a second-degree burn occurs. These burns are more severe than first-degree burns and may require medical attention to stave off infection. Second-degree burns are very painful and result in blisters.

Third Degree Burns Are Life-Threatening

The most severe burns are third-degree, which penetrate all the skin’s layers into tissues, muscles, and bones. Victims of third-degree burns require immediate medical treatment and may experience a long and expensive recovery time. They may be permanently scarred or need skin grafts and antibiotic regimens.

A third-degree burn victim may also be emotionally devastated. A nearby burn injury attorney could calculate non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering or scarring, into the financial compensation sought.

Statute of Limitations for Illinois Burn Injuries

Illinois imposes a two-year statute of limitations to file personal injury lawsuits. This means a burn injury attorney must gather enough evidence within that period, or the court will deny a claim. A victim should consult an attorney in the community as soon as possible after the accident so evidence such as medical records, photos, police, and fire department reports, and witness statements can be preserved.

A Hazel Crest Burn Injury Lawyer is Here for You

Second or third-degree burn injuries are painful and could be permanently disfiguring. If you are burned, you should concentrate on getting well. A Hazel Crest burn injury lawyer can help get the compensation you need while you get the rest you deserve. Call today for your complimentary consultation.