According to the American Burn Association, an estimated 450,000 people sustain burn injuries requiring medical treatment in the United States each year. Those who survive the most serious of these injuries face a lifetime of new challenges. Fortunately, state-of-the-art burn centers continue to pioneer innovative therapies and surgery options for victims. Still, roughly 40,000 burn victims require hospitalization each year and about 3400 do not survive. If you or someone you know has suffered from a burn accident due to another party’s negligence, you should seek the counsel of an experienced Chicago burn injury attorney to help you recover full damages for your injuries.
Classification and Causes of Burns
Burn injuries are typically classified into one of four categories:
- First-Degree Burns: These are burns that affect the top layer of your skin only, and are considered superficial. Mild sunburns or touching hot burners commonly cause first-degree burns, and a doctor’s attention is usually not required.
- Second-Degree Burns: These are so-called “partial thickness burns” rendering the affected area of your skin moist in appearance. Typical causes are fire, scalding water or chemicals.
- Third-Degree Burns: These are “full-thickness burns” that burn through to the third layer of the skin, appearing leathery, black, brown or white in color, often with numbness, pain and scarring. Many such burns result from traumatic accidents, including auto accidents with fire, or accidents at work where exposure to excessive heat is a common occurrence. Most burn victims in this category will be delivered to a professional burn unit with rigorous medical treatment and rehabilitation needed.
Causes of Burn Injuries
There are a wide range of possible causes for burn injuries and many of them are the result of another party’s careless or reckless behavior. Some of the most common include:
- Propane gas explosions;
- Vehicle crashes of all kinds;
- House fires;
- Flammable liquids and clothing;
- Chemicals such as those found in lighter fluid and gasoline;
- Cigarettes left to burn;
- Workplace accidents; and
- Industrial fires
Burn Injury Claims
Determining whether another individual or company is responsible for your burn injury or the injury of a loved one can be a complicated, expensive and emotional undertaking. An experienced Attorneys Bios personal injury attorney will work with you, the police, medical professionals, investigators and other experts to determine whether your injuries were caused by the negligence, defective products or breach of care of another person or entity.
At Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C., we have over two decades of experience representing victims of burn accidents in Chicago, Cook County, and throughout the country. Our dedicated legal team has the expertise and resources to successfully navigate through the complexities of these cases and secure maximum compensation for our clients. If you have suffered a burn injury or a loved one has been injured or killed by a severe burn, contact an aggressive Chicago burn accident lawyer at HM&M today for a free consultation.
For a free consultation, contact Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. today at 312-553-4900 or fill out our online form to have a lawyer contact you.
