When flames change everything, you need experienced legal advocates who understand the devastating impact of burn injuries. At Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, our Chicago burn injury attorneys have helped countless victims secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
We offer a free consultation, and won’t charge lawyer fees until we win for you. Call us today at (312) 957-4166. The experienced burn injury attorneys at Willens & Baez are ready to listen to your story and get justice on your behalf.
The Harsh Reality of Burn Injuries in America
Burn injuries remain a serious public health concern across the United States. According to the American Burn Association, approximately 398,000 fire or burn-related injuries occurred in 2021, requiring emergency department treatment. The National Fire Protection Association adds that every 60 seconds, a person in the US gets a serious burn injury that needs medical care.
These aren’t just numbers. Behind each statistic is a person whose life changed in an instant, facing months or years of recovery, mounting medical bills, and often permanent disabilities.
Understanding Burn Injury Severity
Medical professionals classify burns into three primary categories:
- First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing some pain and redness. While these may seem minor, they still require proper medical documentation and treatment.
- Second-degree burns affect the outer skin layer and the underlying dermis. These injuries typically cause pain, redness, blistering, and swelling that requires professional medical care.
- Third-degree burns represent the most severe category, penetrating through the dermis and affecting deeper tissues. These catastrophic injuries often result in charred or white skin and may cause numbness due to nerve damage.
The True Cost of Burn Injuries
The financial impact of burn injuries extends far beyond initial emergency treatment. Research shows that the average total healthcare cost per burn patient reaches $88,218, with costs ranging from $704 to over $717,000 depending on severity.
These figures don’t include:
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Psychological counseling
- Long-term rehabilitation
- Ongoing medical care.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Chicago
Our legal team has handled burn injury cases resulting from various incidents throughout the Chicago area:
- Vehicle accidents: Car fires, truck crashes, and motorcycle accidents can trap victims in burning vehicles or expose them to hot engine components and fuel.
- Workplace accidents: Construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and restaurants present burn hazards from equipment malfunctions, chemical exposure, and electrical incidents.
- Premises liability: Faulty electrical systems, defective appliances, and negligent maintenance in apartments, hotels, and commercial buildings.
- Product defects: Malfunctioning space heaters, defective electronics, and recalled appliances that overheat or catch fire.
- Chemical exposure: Industrial accidents, household cleaning product mishaps, and transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.
Why Experience Matters in Burn Injury Cases
Burn injury litigation demands attorneys who understand both the medical complexities and legal challenges these cases present. At Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, founding attorney Matthew Willens brings over 29 years of experience to every case.
Matthew Willens has earned recognition as one of Illinois’ Top 100 Super Lawyers, an honor given to less than 1% of attorneys in the state. His $15.8 million pedestrian accident verdict was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the Top 100 Verdicts nationally. This track record of success stems from his unique background as a former insurance company executive, giving him insider knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate and defend burn injury claims.
Our Proven Approach to Burn Injury Cases
- Immediate investigation: We act quickly to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and secure expert opinions before crucial details disappear.
- Medical documentation: Our team works with leading burn specialists, plastic surgeons, and rehabilitation experts to document the full extent of your injuries and future needs.
- Life care planning: We calculate not just current expenses but lifetime costs of care, lost earning capacity, and quality of life impacts.
- Aggressive negotiation: Insurance companies know we’re prepared to try cases, which motivates them to offer fair settlements.
The Willens & Baez Difference
Our firm’s success speaks for itself. Willens & Baez has secured numerous million-dollar recoveries for personal injury cases, including:
- $2.01 million settlement for a young man injured when a porch railing collapsed
- $15.8 million verdict for a pedestrian accident with severe injuries
- $2.25 million settlement for a truck accident victim
- $1.75 million settlement for an aviation accident survivor.
These results reflect the Willens & Baez commitment to thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy. We don’t settle cases for less than full value because we understand the lifelong impact of burn injuries.
Fighting Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often try to minimize burn injury claims using various tactics:
- Questioning the severity of scarring and disfigurement
- Arguing that psychological trauma isn’t compensable
- Disputing the need for future plastic surgery
- Undervaluing lost earning capacity
- Rushing victims to settle before understanding full damages.
Our experience handling cases from both sides of the courtroom helps us anticipate and counter these strategies effectively.
Compensation Available for Burn Injuries
Illinois law allows burn injury victims to recover various types of damages:
Economic damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Assistive devices and equipment
Non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium.
Punitive damages:
In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish wrongdoers and deter similar behavior.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Illinois personal injury cases are subject to a statute of limitations, typically two years from the date of injury. However, waiting to contact an attorney can hurt your case in other ways:
- Evidence disappears or gets destroyed
- Witnesses’ memories fade
- Insurance companies may use delays against you
- Critical medical documentation might be lost.
What to Expect When You Call
When you contact Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll receive:
- Free consultation: We evaluate your case at no cost and explain your legal options clearly.
- “No Fees Unless We Win” guarantee: You owe us no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
- Personal attention: Attorney Matthew Willens personally handles cases, not junior associates or paralegals.
- 24/7 availability: We understand that questions and concerns don’t follow business hours.
- Home and hospital visits: If you’re unable to visit our office, we’ll come to you.
Don’t Face This Alone
Burn injuries create physical, emotional, and financial challenges that no family should face without proper legal support. The insurance companies have experienced lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve the same level of representation.
The Chicago burn injury attorneys at Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers understand the unique challenges you’re facing. We’ve helped families navigate the complex legal process while focusing on recovery and healing.
Contact Chicago’s Top-Rated Burn Injury Attorneys Today
At Willens & Baez Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve built our reputation on achieving exceptional results for burn injury victims throughout Chicago and Illinois. Our track record includes multiple million-dollar settlements and verdicts, with one case recognized as a Top 100 Verdict nationally.
Attorney Matthew Willens’ extensive experience, combined with his unique background as a former insurance executive, gives our clients a distinct advantage in burn injury litigation. We know how insurance companies think and prepare accordingly.
Don’t allow insurance companies to exploit your circumstances. Contact our award-winning legal team today for your free consultation.
Call (312) 957-4166 or complete our online contact form. We’re available 24/7, and if you’re unable to come to us, we’ll come to you.
