Cicero Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries can be devastating and often lead to excruciating amounts of pain. Of the 450,000 people that seek treatment for burn injuries in the United States each year, approximately 40,000 of them end up hospitalized. In some cases, these injuries are the result of another party’s wrongful actions or negligence.

If you are suffering from a burn injury and believe you deserve compensation, contact a Cicero burn injury lawyer today to begin pursuing compensation for your pain and suffering. In addition to helping you take stock of your damages, your persistent personal injury attorney could work with you to determine whether a reasonable settlement is possible and represent your best interests in court if filing suit becomes necessary.

What Constitutes a Burn Injury?

The three primary burn types are first, second, and third-degree. Each of these categories refers to the severity of the burn in question, with third-degree burns being the most severe. Beyond this sorting method, there are many types of burn injuries, each with the potential to form the basis of a civil suit depending on the nature of the accident.

Some of the most common types of burns include:

  • Chemical burns
  • Thermal burns
  • Electrical burns
  • Cold burns
  • Radiation burns

Across all types, motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 10 percent of all burn and fire injuries. Although they can stem from collisions, in many cases these are the result of vehicle design flaws such as faulty wiring, electrical system failures, and battery problems.

In burn injury cases resulting from design flaws such as these, injured individuals may need to face product manufacturers in court. Often, these large companies have experienced legal counsel fighting to have the case thrown out or minimize compensation. For this reason, it can be extremely important for plaintiffs to have legal assistance themselves from an experienced Cicero burn injury lawyer.

Burn Injury Cases Against Manufacturers

In Illinois, strict liability theory states that the manufacturer, seller, or other entity that is involved in the distribution chain of a product might be responsible for defective products that harm individuals. In these cases, individuals must prove that:

  • The injury was due to a defect or condition of the product sold or manufactured by the defendant
  • The defect or condition was unreasonably dangerous
  • The defect or condition existed at the time that it left the control of the manufacturer

Lawyers hired by manufacturing companies may use every tactic in their arsenal to minimize the danger of the defect or prove that it was not present at the time it left the manufacturer. With the help of an experienced burn injury lawyer in Cicero, plaintiffs could be much more prepared to present a solid case that ends in a positive outcome for them.

Proving Fault in General Burn Injury Cases

Individuals who are burned due to the negligence of another party, such as a driver or property owner, must prove that they were not more at fault than the defendant. For example, an individual who slips in a restaurant while carrying hot water might be deemed 20 percent at fault for the injury if they ignored a wet floor sign.

If the plaintiff in a burn injury case is found to bear some fault themselves, Illinois Statutes Chapter 735. Civil Procedure § 5/2-1116 would adjust the value of their possible damage award based on this degree of fault. In the previous example, the individual would only be entitled to receive 80 percent of their potential compensation.

Potential Compensation for Burn Injuries

In Cicero, there are no limits on the compensation value for burn injury suits. This cap was lifted at the state level in 2010 after it was deemed to violate the state’s constitution.

Compensation may take the following injuries and losses into consideration:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of normal life
  • Lost income
  • Physical and mental suffering
  • Decreased life expectancy

Consulting with a Cicero Burn Injury Attorney

If another person’s actions or negligence caused you to suffer a burn injury, you have the option of pursuing compensation. Contact a Cicero burn injury lawyer today to help you begin this process and start pursuing recovery for your losses. A compassionate attorney could handle all the details of your case so you can focus on healing.