Alton Burn Injury Lawyers
Experienced legal advocacy for serious burn injuries in Illinois
Burn injuries are often categorized as catastrophic injuries. Serious burns can result in significant scarring and complications, along with ongoing chronic pain for the patient. If you experience burn injuries from another’s negligence or recklessness, it’s crucial you secure financial compensation from the responsible party. This can help you recover from your injuries as much as possible while also holding the right people or entities responsible for the harm they’ve caused.
At Glisson Law, our Alton personal injury lawyers have been help burn injury patients work through the legal process for more than 25 years. We help you recover the compensation you need for your medical expenses, your pain and suffering, and for every way your injury has affected your life. We hold every at-fault party accountable and maximize your injury claim so you can move on and life your best life possible. Call us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
What are the different types and degrees of burn injuries?
Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, burn are differentiated by type and degree. There are four main types of burns:
- Thermal burns, caused by hot objects like fire, hot liquids, or steam.
- Chemical burns, caused by contact with corrosive substances, like acids or toxic chemicals.
- Electrical burns, caused by electrical currents passing through the body.
- Radiation burns, caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, X-rays, or other sources.
Burn injuries are then classified into different degrees based on their severity.
- First-degree burns, which are mild burns affecting only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) causing redness, pain, and slight swelling.
- Second-degree burns, more severe burns affecting both the outer and underlying layer of skin (dermis), causing red, blistered and swollen skin.
- Third-degree burns, very severe burns penetrating all layers of skin, damaging or destroying the underlying tissues and nerves. The skin may look white or black, dry and leathery.
- Fourth-degree burns, a rare and typically fatal burn that not only destroys the skin, but also affects the bones, muscles, and tendons.
The severity of the burn will affect the type of treatment required, as well as how long it may take the patient to heal from the injury.
What is the treatment for burn injuries?
Per the Mayo Clinic, “People with severe burns may require treatment at specialized burn centers,” which in Illinois are:
- University of Chicago Burn Center
- Loyola University Medical Center Burn Center
- Memorial Medical Center Regional Burn Center
- OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center
- Sumner L. Koch Burn Center—John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
The treatment for burn injuries depends on the type, severity, and location of the burn. Treatment for burns can include:
- First-aid. Stop the burning process by removing the source of heat or chemicals and running cool water over the burn. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry around the burn to prevent constriction.
- Pain management. Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications may be used to manage pain.
- Wound care. Clean the burn wound with soap and water, and cover it with a sterile bandage or dressing to reduce the risk of infection.
- Medical treatment. For more severe burns, medical treatment may include hospitalization, fluid replacement, wound cleaning and dressing, and skin grafts (where skin from another part of the body is transplanted to the burn wound).
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy may be necessary to help regain mobility and strength in the affected area.
It's important to seek prompt medical attention for burn injuries to reduce the risk of complications and promote healing.
Good To Know: Between 7 and 12 million people suffer serious burn injuries every year – up to 33,000 every day. [UpToDate]
What are the potential complications of burn injuries?
Burn injuries can lead to a variety of serious complications, including:
- Infection. Burns increase the risk of bacterial infections, which can spread and cause serious complications if left untreated.
- Scarring. Scarring can result from both the initial burn and from any necessary surgeries, which can affect the appearance, function, and mobility of the affected area.
- Contractures. Burns that involve a joint can lead to scarring and tightness of the skin, limiting the range of motion of the joint.
- Dehydration. Burns can cause fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Respiratory complications. Inhalation of smoke or toxic fumes from a burn injury can cause respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
- Psychological effects. Burns can cause significant emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our injury lawyers work to identify all liable parties to ensure you secure maximum compensation for your damages and losses.
Who is liable for my burn injury?
Liability – or who’s at fault – for your burn injury and losses depends on the circumstances of your accident. Generally, however, the person or party who caused the accident is liable for your injuries. For example:
- If the burn occurred on the job, your employer may be held liable if they failed to provide a safe work environment, or if the burn was caused by a malfunctioning piece of equipment.
- If the burn was caused by a defective product, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be held liable.
- If the burn occurred on someone else's property, the owner may be held liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions on their premises.
- If the burn was caused by medical negligence, the healthcare provider may be held liable.
What’s the value of my burn injury claim?
Burn injuries can range from serious to catastrophic. You may need medical care and experience pain for the rest of your life. The attorneys at Glisson Law can help you recover compensation for things like:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages, current and future
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment life
- Scarring and disfigurement
We build a strong case on your behalf and work to secure the maximum compensation possible for your particular circumstances.
Do you have a burn injury lawyer near me?
Glisson Law is located at 111 East Fourth Street, Suite 400, in Alton, IL. We’re a block away from City Hall, and you can find plenty of parking across the street. There’s also a bus stop right outside our office. Glisson Law conducts phone and video conferences when applicable, and makes home and hospital visits if you cannot travel to us.
Skilled burn injury lawyers serving Alton and the surrounding areas
If you or a family member suffered a serious burn injury and are interested in find out how we can help, talk to the attorneys at Glisson Law today. Our injury lawyers have been serving the people of Southwestern Illinois for more than 25 years and we have what it takes to go up against the big insurance companies and win. We want to help. To schedule a free consultation, call our offices or fill out our contact form. We serve individuals and families throughout Belleville, Edwardsville, St. Clair and Madison County.