Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer
At Ankin Law, our Chicago burn injury lawyers understand that burn victims deserve accountability. They deserve justice. They deserve full compensation for every dollar lost, every medical need, and every piece of their lives disrupted by someone else’s negligence.
Burn injuries are among the most catastrophic, painful, and life-changing injuries a person can endure. Fires, explosions, chemical exposure, electrical accidents, and defective products can leave victims with permanent scarring, emotional trauma, disability, and staggering medical bills. Severe burns often require surgeries, skin grafts, long-term treatment, and months or years of recovery.
“I’m Howard Ankin. If a burn injury has changed your life, you deserve a legal team that understands the medicine behind your injuries and the fight ahead. At Ankin Law, ‘Injury Law Made Personal’ means we know your story, your doctors, and your needs, and we fight to restore what was taken from you.”
~ Howard Ankin, Chicago burn injury lawyer, founder of Ankin Law
Whether your burn injuries occurred in a Chicago apartment fire, workplace explosion, vehicle fire, chemical incident, or due to a defective product, our legal team knows how to investigate the cause, identify every liable party, and build a case that demands full compensation.
Call (312) 600-0000 for a free consultation. No fees unless we win.
Why Hire a Burn Injury Lawyer at Ankin Law?
Hiring a burn injury attorney at our law firm is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Burn injury cases are high-value claims, and insurance companies fight them aggressively. Adjusters may dispute liability, minimize your injuries, challenge your treatment, or pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement while you’re in pain and overwhelmed.
Without an experienced Chicago burn injury lawyer, you risk receiving far less than you need to rebuild your life.
When you hire Ankin Law, you get a full legal team dedicated to proving your case. You focus on healing. We handle everything else.
- We work with fire investigators, electrical engineers, product experts, and chemical specialists.
- We gather medical evidence from burn surgeons and reconstructive specialists.
- We identify every negligent party, from landlords to manufacturers to contractors.
- We negotiate aggressively and refuse to settle for shortcuts.
- We take cases to trial when insurers won’t offer fair value.
If you suffered burn injuries in an accident, call Ankin Law for a FREE consultation. (312) 600-0000
Who Is Liable for Burn Injury Accidents?
Liability for a burn injury depends on how the accident occurred and who failed to act responsibly. Under Illinois law, individuals and businesses owe a duty to avoid causing harm to others. Any person or entity that creates or allows a dangerous condition may be held liable for the harm caused.
Liable parties in burn injury lawsuits may include:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Employers
- Product manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Contractors
- Negligent drivers
- Chemical suppliers
Many cases involve multiple negligent parties. Identifying each one is essential to maximizing compensation. Ankin Law investigates every angle to ensure no liable party is overlooked.
Center:
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Types of Burn Injury Claims
The type of burn injury claim you pursue depends on who caused the injury and where the incident occurred. Our injury lawyers commonly handle the following types of cases.
Premises Liability Claims for Burn Injuries
Property owners in Chicago must maintain safe conditions, follow fire codes, keep electrical systems safe, and ensure smoke detectors and fire suppression systems function properly. When landlords or businesses fail to meet these obligations, fires and dangerous conditions can lead to severe burn injuries.
Apartment fires, commercial building fires, fireworks accidents, and electrical failures are common sources of premises liability claims. The property owner’s insurance typically pays for the victim’s damages.
Product Liability Claims
Manufacturers, designers, and distributors are responsible for ensuring products are safe for consumer use. When defective appliances, electronics, batteries, heaters, vehicles, chemicals, or even food products cause burns, victims may file a product liability lawsuit.
Defects may involve:
- Faulty wiring
- Exploding batteries
- Overheating devices
- Flammable materials
- Failure-to-warn labeling issues
Under strict liability laws, victims do not need to prove negligence. They only need to show that the product was defective and caused the injury.
Motor Vehicle Accident Claims
Motor vehicle collisions can lead to fires, chemical burns, fuel tank explosions, and airbag deployment burns. Negligent drivers are responsible for the harm they cause, and their insurance policies must compensate victims.
Some burn-related vehicle claims also involve defective parts, such as unsafe fuel systems or faulty batteries, allowing product liability claims as well.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Burns are common in industrial settings, commercial kitchens, construction sites, electrical trades, and chemical facilities. Illinois workers’ compensation provides medical care and wage benefits, regardless of fault.
If another company or contractor contributed to the injury, victims may also pursue a third-party lawsuit to recover additional compensation for pain, suffering, and long-term disability.
Are Burn Injuries Classified as Trauma?
Yes. Burn injuries are considered traumatic and often catastrophic. They cause intense pain, permanent physical damage, psychological suffering, and long-term impairment.
Levels of Burn Injuries
Burns are classified based on severity. Each level of burn injury has unique symptoms and side effects that allow for classification.
First Degree Burns
First degree burns affect only the outermost layer of skin. While they can be painful, they typically heal without extensive medical treatment. Legal claims are uncommon unless the burn resulted from unsafe conditions or clear negligence.
Second Degree Burns
Second degree burns damage both the epidermis and dermis, leading to blistering, swelling, and significant pain. Burns involving the face, hands, feet, or large portions of the body may result in complications, permanent scarring, or long-term impairment.
Third Degree Burns
Third degree burns penetrate all layers of skin and destroy nerve endings, which can cause numbness instead of pain. These injuries often require surgery, skin grafting, prolonged hospitalization, and ongoing medical care. Permanent disfigurement and functional limitations are common.
Fourth Degree Burns
Fourth degree burns extend beyond the skin into muscle, tissue, and bone. These injuries are life-threatening and frequently require amputation or other extensive surgical intervention. Victims typically face lifelong medical treatment and significant changes to daily living.
Do I Have a Burn Injury Case?
You may have a burn injury case if:
- Another party owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- Their negligence caused your burn injuries
- You suffered damages
If those elements are met, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and future care needs.
Severe burns usually result in high-value claims. Ankin Law will evaluate your case and guide you through your legal options. Call (312) 600-0000.
How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?
Most burn injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within two years from the date of injury.
Exceptions include:
- Workers’ compensation claims – generally three years
- Minors and incapacitated victims – extended deadlines
- Wrongful death cases – two years from the date of death
- Delayed discovery cases – extended if injuries were not immediately known
Missing the deadline usually prevents you from recovering any compensation. Contacting an attorney early is crucial.
Damages Available to Burn Victims
The damages available to burn injury victims depend on the losses caused by the accident. In most cases, victims may recover compensation for financial costs and personal losses. Sometimes, punitive damages are also available.
Economic Damages
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization
- Skin grafts and surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Home modifications
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Trauma and PTSD
- Permanent scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely awarded in personal injury claims. Since they are intended to punish the liable party, these damages only apply to cases where defendants acted with egregious negligence or intentionally caused harm.
The true cost of burn injuries may not be immediately apparent. Ankin Law can evaluate your claim to determine the impact of your injuries on your life. Because burn injuries often lead to lifelong care needs, settlements in these cases can be substantial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injury Lawsuits
Burn injury lawsuits often raise urgent questions about medical costs, long-term recovery, and financial compensation. Because burn severity, treatment needs, and liability factors vary widely, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The following frequently asked questions address common concerns we hear from burn injury victims and their families. For answers specific to your case, contact our attorneys for a free consultation.
How Much Is My Burn Claim Worth?
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your burns, medical needs, long-term disability, lost wages, and emotional damages. Severe burns often result in significant settlements. A burn injury lawyer can calculate your full damages and negotiate with insurers.
What If I Was Partially At-Fault for My Accident?
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence. You can still recover damages if you were less than 50% responsible. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Do I Do After Getting Burned in an Accident?
If you have already received medical treatment, your next steps focus on protecting your legal rights. Continue following your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments, as gaps in care can be used against your claim. Preserve photographs of your injuries as they heal, keep copies of medical records and bills, and document how the burn affects your work and daily life. Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement, speak with a burn injury attorney who can evaluate liability and the full value of your claim.
What Our Clients Say About Us
This is a very good law firm. Being represented by them in a worker’s comp & personal injury case. If there are any issues with dealing with worker’s comp sending benefits payments, they stay on them and make sure that you’re receiving your benefits. Mr. Goldstein and his assistant Alex Quigley are amazing. She has made sure that I’ve received ALL of my benefits and responds to my emails in a timely manner, whenever I have questions or concerns about my case. My attorney Mr. Scott Goldstein is there when I need him to assure me that they have not forgotten about me and continue to push for a resolution of my claim.
