Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago burn injury lawyer team knows these injuries are among the most painful and traumatic experiences anyone can endure. Whether our clients suffered burns in a workplace accident, a residential fire, or due to someone else’s negligence, we are committed to helping them recover the maximum compensation they deserve.

We’ve represented burn victims throughout Chicago who are facing long hospital stays, skin grafts, and overwhelming medical expenses. We offer a free consultation to review your case and explain how our team can guide you through every step of the burn injury claim process.

Burn Injury Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

• $8,000,000 — We represented two young siblings, Ava and Jordan, who suffered burns in a West Chicagoapartment fire. Our investigation revealed the landlord failed to install working smoke detectors, violating local building codes. The children required hospitalization and multiple skin grafts.
• $6,400,000 — Miguel, a laborer, suffered burns to both legs while pouring concrete at a commercial site. Faulty equipment caused hot material to spill, leading to permanent disability. The case involved complex workplace liability issues.
• $4,222,000 — Our client, Rachel, sustained facial burns when a defective cooking spray can exploded in her kitchen. We pursued a burn injury lawsuit against the manufacturer, citing a failure to warn and product design defects.
• $4,000,000 — Kevin, a deckhand, was injured after a fire ignited due to improperly stored fuel. He suffered burns to his arms and chest. We held the marine company accountable under maritime and negligence laws.
• $3,333,333 — James was exposed to mislabeled industrial chemicals while cleaning machinery. He developed serious burns and post-traumatic stress disorder. We proved the employer failed in its duty to provide safety training and warnings.
• $2,550,000 — A welder named Marcus sustained third-degree burns on his arms after an equipment explosion on a bridge repair project. We pursued damages for lost wages, medical expenses, and permanent scarring.
• $1,833,333 — We represented an elderly resident, Dolores, who was severely burned by scalding water during a bath. Her burn injury case led to a major settlement against the nursing home for negligent care.
• $1,667,500 — Emily, a server, was injured when a heating element spilled burning fuel on her lap. She suffered second-degree burns and missed months of work. We recovered compensation for her medical treatment and lost wages.

What Makes Us the Best Burn Injury Attorneys in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our catastrophic injury attorneys in Chicago have spent nearly 25 years helping burn injury victims and their families recover after devastating accidents. Our firm has recovered over $450 million in verdicts and settlements across Illinois.

We’ve been recognized by leading legal organizations, including:

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Super Lawyers
• American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
• AVVO 

We’ve represented over 5,000 personal injury clients across Chicago, and we’re ready to help you, too. When you hire us, you get a legal team that truly fights for your recovery, both in and out of the courtroom.

Types of Burn Injury Cases We Handle

Here are the most common burn injury cases we handle:

• Thermal Burns – Caused by heat sources like open flames, hot surfaces, scalding liquids, or steam. These are the most frequent burn injuries we see in personal injury cases.
• Scald Burns – A type of thermal burn from hot liquids or steam. Common in homes, restaurants, and nursing facilities.
• Chemical Burns – From exposure to corrosive substances like acids, cleaning agents, or solvents. These serious burn injuries often cause deep tissue damage and require urgent medical attention.
• Electrical Burns – Caused by contact with electrical currents. These injuries may look minor on the surface, but can damage internal organs and lead to chronic pain.
• Radiation Burns – Often linked to sun exposure, tanning beds, or medical treatment like radiation therapy.
• Friction Burns – A mix of heat and abrasion, often seen in road accidents or machinery incidents.

What Are Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Here are some of the most common causes of burn injury cases we handle across the Chicago area:

Apartment and Residential Fires

Often caused by faulty wiring, broken smoke detectors, or landlord code violations.

Workplace Accidents

Especially common in construction, manufacturing, and food service. These often involve electrical, chemical, or thermal burns.

Car Accidents

A motor vehicle accident can result in fires, fuel explosions, or contact with hot metal.

Defective Products

Faulty appliances, flammable clothing, and aerosol sprays can all lead to burn accidents.

Scalding Injuries 

Hot water and steam from showers, dishwashers, or industrial equipment can cause second-degree burns or worse.

Restaurant & Hospitality Negligence 

Spills of boiling liquids or flammable materials often lead to burn injury claims.

Nursing Home Neglect

Elderly residents are especially vulnerable to first-degree burns and scalding injuries when proper care protocols aren’t followed.

What Are the Symptoms of Burns?

Below are the most common types of burn injuries, classified by degree and associated symptoms.

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are the least severe but still painful. They affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Symptoms include:

• Redness and inflammation
• Mild swelling
• Pain or tenderness
• Dry, peeling skin as it heals

These burns often heal without scarring but may still warrant a burn personal injury claim.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns go deeper into the skin, affecting both the epidermis and dermis. These are among the most painful injuries that may require specialized treatment and carry a risk of infection. Symptoms include:

• Blistering
• Wet or shiny appearance
• Severe redness
• Intense pain and swelling
• Possible scarring

Burn victims with second-degree injuries may miss work, accumulate high medical expenses, and need long-term care, all of which they can seek financial compensation for.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns destroy both layers of skin and damage underlying tissues. These injuries are considered severe burns and may not be painful initially due to nerve damage. Common signs include:

• Charred, white, or leathery skin
• Numbness at the site of the injury
• Loss of sensation
• Risk of permanent disfigurement
• High likelihood of requiring reconstructive surgery

These are among the most significant burn injuries we handle, often resulting in six- or seven-figure burn injury case settlements due to their life-changing impact.

Fourth-Degree Burns

Fourth-degree burns are catastrophic. These injuries extend through the skin, fat, muscle, and sometimes bone. Victims who survive these life-altering burns usually require lifelong medical care and may never fully recover function. Symptoms include:

• Exposed muscle, tendon, or bone
• Blackened, dead tissue
• No feeling due to destroyed nerves
• Pain, amputation, or paralysis
• High risk of death

We pursue aggressive legal action in these cases, whether through a burn injury or wrongful death lawsuit, depending on the circumstances.

What Damages Can Burn Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

We fight to recover damages for both your immediate losses and long-term needs, including:

• Medical Expenses – ER visits, surgery, rehab, and ongoing treatment
• Lost Wages – Paychecks missed while recovering
• Loss of Future Income – If you can’t return to your job or career
• Pain and Suffering – For the pain and emotional trauma of burn injuries
• Scarring & Disfigurement – Especially in visible or sensitive areas
• Long-Term Disability – For clients left with severe burns or permanent damage
• Wrongful Death – Funeral costs, lost support, and grief for families who’ve lost a loved one

What Is the Average Burn Injury Payout in Chicago?

The average burn injury payout in Chicago is approximately $10.1 million, while the median settlement sits around $3 million. Settlement values vary widely — from as low as $2,880 to over $181 million — depending on the severity of the burn injuries, liability, and long-term damages.

Factors that can impact the value of a burn injury claim include:

• Degree and depth of the burns (second, third, or fourth degree burns)
• Whether the victim needed reconstructive surgery
• Permanent effects like disfigurement or disability
• Time away from work and amount of lost income
• Evidence of negligence
• The need for ongoing medical treatment or long-term care

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

• $22.5 Million – Jose T., a laborer, was trapped in a vehicle that caught fire after a train derailed outside Chicago. His wife died in the explosion, and Jose suffered second and third-degree burns across his body. He underwent surgery and was left with a disfigured face. He received $7 million; his wife’s estate received $15.5 million.
• $16 Million – Sheryl D., a cancer patient, received double the prescribed radiation dose at a Chicago-area hospital, resulting in radiation burns and nerve damage. She needed multiple grafting procedures and could no longer use her dominant arm. The jury awarded damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, future medical care, and lost income.
• $13.7 Million – Paul D., an industrial cleanup worker in the Chicago area, sustained life-altering burns over 40% of his body due to a coal dust explosion. He suffered first, second, and third-degree burns, required multiple surgeries, and experienced permanent scarring. His case settled with several companies held partially liable.

Why You Need a Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn cases are complex. Victims often face long hospital stays, extensive medical treatment, and life-altering complications like chronic pain, permanent disfigurement, and emotional trauma. When you’re up against insurance companies or large corporations, trying to handle your own burn injury claim can cost you the compensation you deserve.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago burn injury attorneys know how to:

• Prove the cause and liability behind the burn
• Work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries, from first-degree burns to catastrophic fourth-degree burns
• Calculate future damages, such as lost earnings, long-term care, and future medical expenses
• Challenge defenses that try to downplay your pain or shift blame
• Handle complex litigation in Cook County courts and negotiate high-value settlements

How Common Are Burn Injury Accidents in Chicago?

Every year, thousands of people in Chicago and across the U.S. suffer burn injuries that require emergency care, hospitalization, or long-term treatment. According to the American Burn Association, over 32,000 people were hospitalized for burn injuries in 2023 alone, with an average of 1 in every 10,000 Americans requiring inpatient burn care annually.

National data from the CDC shows that nearly 400,000 people sought medical treatment for burns in a single year, and children under five are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for burn-related injuries. Many of these injuries happen at home and could be prevented with proper safety measures.

One study of 790 pediatric scald burn cases at the University of Chicago found that 31% were caused by instant noodles, a frequent household hazard. Many of these injuries occurred in households located in lower-opportunity ZIP codes, often when children were left unsupervised. The average age of affected children was just over 5 years old, and nearly 1 in 3 required medical treatment involving hospital stays or skin grafts.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) adds that every 60 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a burn injury serious enough to need treatment. Scalds from bathwater, hot drinks, or microwaved food are especially common and represent the second leading cause of all burn injuries.

Where Do Burn Injury Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Burn injuries in Chicago tend to cluster in areas with older housing, industrial job sites, and high-density living, such as:

• Englewood & Auburn Gresham – Frequent residential burn accidents due to outdated wiring, space heaters, and non-code-compliant buildings
• Back of the Yards & Brighton Park – Industrial zones with a high rate of thermal and chemical burns among factory workers
• West Garfield Park & North Lawndale – Older multi-unit buildings where fires spread quickly due to poor maintenance
• Cicero & Little Village – Common sites for scald burns and electrical burns in both homes and food service businesses
• South Chicago & Pullman – Construction-related burn injuries often occur on active work sites, particularly near the Calumet industrial corridor

What Laws Govern Burn Injury Claims in Chicago?

When you file a burn injury claim in Chicago, several local and state laws may affect your rights and the compensation you can recover. 

The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions. It may apply if your burn injuries happened in an apartment, store, or public place due to unsafe conditions like faulty wiring or a lack of smoke detectors.

Chicago landlords and businesses are required to follow local building safety codes. For example, Municipal Code Chapter 13-64 outlines smoke detector requirements in residential units.

If your burn injuries were caused by a defective product (like a faulty appliance or flammable clothing), we may pursue a personal injury lawsuit under Illinois product liability law (735 ILCS 5/2-21), which holds manufacturers and sellers strictly liable.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault, but your damages may be reduced proportionally.

How Long Do Burn Victims Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

In most cases, burn injury victims in Chicago have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.

But there are exceptions:

• For minors, the clock usually starts when the child turns 18.
• Against government agencies, a notice of claim may need to be filed within 1 year, and often much sooner.
• Medical malpractice cases (such as radiation burns) may have different rules depending on when the injury was discovered.

Our team offers a free consultation to help you understand your deadlines and legal options.

Who Is Legally Liable for Burn Injury Accidents in Chicago?

Establishing liability is one of the most important steps in any personal injury claim. Here are the most common parties we pursue claims against:

• Landlords & Property Owners – For accidents caused by faulty wiring, broken smoke detectors, or code violations in apartments or commercial spaces.
• Product Manufacturers – In cases involving chemical burns, electrical burns, or fires started by defective products like appliances, heaters, or cooking sprays.
• Employers & Contractors – If unsafe working conditions, lack of training, or OSHA violations caused thermal, fourth-degree burns, or explosions on job sites.
• Medical Facilities – Hospitals may be held liable in cases involving radiation burns, burn injuries during surgery, or negligent post-burn care.
• Care Facilities – Nursing home or daycare staff may be liable when victims suffer preventable scald burns or first-degree burns due to negligence.
• Drivers or Vehicle Owners – In the event of a car accident that causes a fire or burn injuries, we may pursue liability under standard auto negligence law.

Common Defenses in Burn Cases

When you file a burn injury claim, the other side will almost always try to minimize your damages or avoid responsibility entirely. 

Defendants may claim you caused your own burn injuries (e.g., mishandling a product or ignoring warnings). We counter this with expert testimony, safety code violations, and evidence showing someone else’s negligence.

Property owners often argue that hazards were visible. But just because a risk is visible doesn’t mean it’s legal, especially when children or elderly victims are involved.

Manufacturers may try to avoid liability by blaming the user. We investigate product design, labels, and prior complaints to prove a pattern of danger.

Insurance companies routinely downplay burns. We work with doctors and specialists to fully document medical treatment, chronic pain, and long-term impact.

In multi-party cases (like apartment fires or workplace explosions), defendants often point fingers at each other. We gather evidence to prove joint liability when multiple parties share the blame.

How to Strengthen Your Burn Injury Case in Chicago

Taking the right steps early on can make a major difference in the outcome of your burn injury claim. Here’s what our Chicago burn injury attorneys recommend to protect your case and maximize your recovery:

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

Even first-degree burns can lead to complications if not treated properly. More serious burns may require emergency care or surgery. Immediate medical attention and documentation also link your burn injuries directly to the incident.

Preserve Evidence

Photos of the injury, the scene, and any hazardous conditions (e.g., faulty wiring, spilled chemicals, or defective products) are crucial. Save damaged clothing, product packaging, or anything that may help prove how the accident happened.

Report the Incident

Notify your landlord, employer, or the business where the injury occurred. Filing a report helps create a paper trail and may uncover prior complaints, which is especially useful in personal injury cases involving repeat negligence.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements

Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that weakens your injury claim. Speak with a burn injury lawyer before discussing fault or cause with any insurer or third party.

Follow All Medical Advice

Stick to your treatment plan. Missed appointments can be used against you to argue your burn injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Our Chicago burn injury lawyer team will handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the cause to calculating all the damages you suffered.

How Our Chicago Burn Injury Attorneys Can Help

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago burn injury lawyers handle everything from start to finish, including:

• Investigating the cause of your burn injuries
• Identifying all liable parties
• Calculating damages 
• Negotiating with insurers and corporate defendants
• Taking your lawsuit to trial if needed

Chicago Burn Victim Resources

Major burn centers in and around Chicago include:

• University of Chicago Medicine Burn Center (Hyde Park)
• Loyola University Medical Center Burn Unit (Maywood)
• Stroger Hospital of Cook County Burn Center (Near West Side)
• Shriners Children’s Chicago (Pediatric burn care in Galewood)

FAQs

What Are Common Complications from Severe Burn Injuries?

Severe burn injuries can lead to serious complications, including:

• Infections like sepsis
• Dehydration and kidney issues
• Hypothermia from lost skin function
• Breathing problems due to airway damage
• Scarring that limits mobility
• Psychological distress, including PTSD and depression

How do I prove negligence?

To prove negligence, we must show:

• Duty – The other party had a legal responsibility to keep you safe (e.g., landlord, employer, manufacturer).
• Breach – They failed to meet that duty through unsafe conditions, poor maintenance, or lack of warning.
• Causation – Their actions (or inaction) directly caused your burn injuries.
• Damages – You suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm — including medical expenses, lost wages, or permanent disfigurement.

How do I negotiate with the insurance company?

Insurers downplay injuries and shift blame, so you shouldn’t negotiate alone. Our burn injury lawyers handle all communication and negotiation to protect your case and maximize your payout.

How long does a burn injury lawsuit take?

It depends on the case. Some settle in months; others take over a year. Cases involving third-degree burns or multiple defendants may take longer.

Should I accept a settlement or go to trial?

It depends on the offer. We’ll advise you based on what’s fair for your injuries. If the insurer won’t offer what your case is worth, we’re ready to go to trial.

How much does a burn injury lawyer cost in Chicago?

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win. The fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, discussed clearly upfront.

Consult a Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer Near You

If you or a loved one has suffered burns due to someone else’s negligence, our team is here to help. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we offer every client a free consultation and work on a contingency fee. Contact us today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in Chicago.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Champaign, Evanston, Peoria, Springfield and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.