Chicago Child Burn Injury Lawyer

Compensation for Children with Burn Injuries in Chicago

If your child suffered burns due to someone else’s negligence, working with a Chicago child burn injury lawyer can make all the difference. Pursuing a legal claim not only helps with the financial burden but also provides vital support for your child’s long-term recovery.

Burn injuries are among the most devastating types of harm a child can experience. A serious burn can impact every aspect of a child’s life, including physical mobility and emotional well-being. 

Should You Hire a Lawyer?

Navigating a burn injury case is complex, especially when it involves a minor. Insurance companies often try to minimize financial settlements, and without strong legal advocacy, you may not receive fair compensation. A Chicago child injury lawyer understands the medical, legal, and emotional aspects of these cases. 

They can investigate the cause of the burn injuries, gather necessary clinical records, and work with specialists to build a case that fully addresses your child’s burns and future needs. Hiring a personal injury attorney allows your family to focus on healing while an experienced advocate fights for justice.

Verdicts and Settlements from Our Child Burn Injury Cases in Chicago

Our personal injury attorneys have secured significant results for families dealing with serious injuries:

• $8,000,000 settlement for two children who suffered burn injuries in an apartment fire. The claim was resolved against the landlord and maintenance company for failing to install smoke detectors as required by the applicable building code.
• $4,222,000 settlement in a product liability claim involving a cooking spray manufacturer after our client sustained facial burns when the can exploded during use.
• $1,799,000 settlement for a 6-year-old girl who fell from a carnival ride due to missing protective equipment, leading to life-altering injuries.

These outcomes reflect the dedication of our Chicago burn injury attorneys in holding negligent parties accountable.

How Burn Injuries Happen to Children

Children can suffer burn injuries in a wide variety of ways, usually when adults least expect it. Common causes include:

• Scalding from hot liquids or bathwater. Scalds account for nearly 70% of burns in children, making them the most common type of pediatric burn injury.
• Contact with hot surfaces like stoves, heaters, or fireplaces.
• House fires caused by faulty wiring, cooking accidents, or unattended candles.
• Electrical burns from exposed wires or household appliances.
• Chemical burns from cleaners, batteries, or industrial materials.
• Burns caused by defective products, such as malfunctioning toys, electronics, or home appliances.

Burns from a Car Accident

Prompt medical evaluation is critical when a child is injured by burns. Specialized pediatric burn centers offer expertise in pain management, infection control, and minimizing the risk of scarring. 

Early intervention can prevent serious complications and lay the foundation for a smoother recovery. Even burns that seem minor can quickly worsen without proper medical attention, leading to infections, lasting tissue damage, or dangerous fluid loss.

In addition to protecting your child’s health, seeking immediate care creates vital medical records that document the extent of the injuries. 

These records can play an important role in any future personal injury claim, helping your attorney prove the severity of the injuries and treatments required. Prompt care also helps establish a clear link between the accident and the costs families face, including emergency room visits and long-term rehabilitation needs.

Burn injuries often lead to substantial medical bills, especially when surgery, skin grafts, or specialized therapies are needed. Getting medical attention right away not only improves the child’s chances of recovery but also strengthens your ability to recover full financial compensation for these mounting costs.

Types and Degrees of Burns

Burn injuries are classified based on how deeply they penetrate the skin:

• First-degree burns affect only the outer layer, causing redness and mild pain, much like sunburn.
• Second-degree burns go deeper, resulting in blisters, swelling, and severe discomfort.
• Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin and may damage underlying tissues, often requiring skin grafts.
• Fourth-degree burns extend into muscle and bone, causing catastrophic damage.

Even minor-looking burns can cause serious trauma in children because of their smaller body size and greater risk of complications.

The Devastating Impact When a Child Suffered Severe Burn Injuries

Serious burn injuries create a long and painful road to recovery. Children with third or even second-degree burns may face:

• Intense, persistent pain.
• A high risk of infection and sepsis.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Reduced mobility due to scar tissue contractures.
• The need for multiple surgeries, such as skin grafts and reconstructive procedures.
• Psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

The emotional and financial costs can overwhelm a family without legal and medical support.

Signs of Burn Injury in Your Child

Recognizing burn injuries quickly can protect your child from worsening harm. Vital signs include:

• Redness, swelling, or blistering of the skin.
• Peeling or charring of the affected area.
• Weeping or leaking fluids from the wound.
• Pain, itchiness, or sensitivity to touch.

It’s critical to remember that the visible severity of a burn does not always reflect the internal damage. Always seek professional medical attention if you suspect serious burns.

Seeking Immediate Medical Care for Child Burn Injuries

Prompt medical evaluation is critical when a child is injured by burns. Specialized pediatric burn centers offer expertise in pain management, infection control, and minimizing scarring. 

Early intervention can prevent serious complications and lay the foundation for a smoother recovery. Even burns that seem minor can worsen rapidly without professional care, leading to infection, nerve damage, or dangerous fluid loss.

When a child injured by a burn is brought in for treatment, doctors typically perform a series of diagnostic tests to assess the severity and underlying impact of the burn, including:

• Wound assessments to determine the depth and size of the burn area.
• Blood tests to monitor for signs of infection, dehydration, or organ stress.
• X-rays if there is suspicion of underlying bone damage or inhalation injury.
• Skin cultures to detect any bacterial infections developing at the burn site.
• Pulmonary function tests if smoke inhalation or chemical exposure is suspected.

Healthcare records from these evaluations provide crucial evidence if an attorney needs to build a legal claim later on. They document not only the seriousness of the initial injury but also the medical steps taken to address it.

It’s also important to recognize that mistakes in burn treatment can worsen outcomes. If medical negligence delays proper care, fails to diagnose complications, or leads to infections, families may also have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim. 

An attorney experienced in burn cases can help families seek compensation for additional harm caused by medical errors on top of the original injury.

Early medical attention protects your child’s health and strengthens the foundation of a personal injury claim. It also creates a clear record of the costs families face, including medical bills for surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care, which are critical when seeking full financial recovery.

Who is Responsible When a Child Gets Burned?

Liability depends on how the child was injured. Common sources of responsibility include:

• Negligent supervision by daycares, babysitters, or caretakers.
• Dangerous property conditions leading to premises liability claims.
• Defective products causing burns, leading to product liability lawsuits.
• Drivers who cause car accidents resulting in thermal burns or chemical exposure.

Working with experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys can help identify all responsible parties.

Pursuing Compensation for Your Child’s Burn Injury Claim

Filing a personal injury claim after a child sustained burn injuries can provide critical financial support. Recoverable damages often include:

• Past and future medical bills, including surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy.
• Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering.
• Damages for disfigurement and permanent scarring.
• Lost wages for parents who had to take time off work to care for their children.

An experienced lawyer will build a case that accurately reflects the long-term consequences of serious burn injuries.

Special Considerations for Third-Degree Burns and Long-Term Care

Severe burns like those classified as third-degree typically require years of specialized treatment. Skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and physical therapy are costly and physically taxing. Severe burns can lead to lifelong care needs, which must be factored into the claim’s value to fully support the child’s recovery.

Why You Need an Experienced Chicago Child Injury Lawyer

Navigating a burn case requires deep knowledge of personal injury law, insurance tactics, and medical issues. A skilled lawyer can:

• Investigate the cause of the burn.
• Work with medical experts to assess future care needs.
• Identify all liable parties, including companies responsible for product defects.
• Present strong evidence to insurance companies to avoid lowball settlements.
• Maximize your ability to seek compensation for current and future damages.

Families dealing with severe injuries deserve a legal team that understands the high stakes involved in a child’s recovery.

Contact Our Firm for a Free Consultation Regarding Your Child

If your child was injured due to someone else’s negligence, you do not have to navigate this difficult time alone. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to support you. We offer a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case, review your medical records, and explain your legal options.

Our burn injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs. Contact us today to learn how a personal injury attorney can help your family seek compensation and secure the care your child needs for a brighter future.Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or through our online form to schedule your consultation.

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.