A serious burn changes everything, from how you sleep to how you work to how you see yourself in the mirror. If a fire or burn happened because someone else was careless, a Chicago burn injury lawyer can help you pursue the resources you need to heal. Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys represents burn survivors and grieving families throughout Chicagoland.
Fire and burn cases are central to our practice. We secured a $34 million verdict in an apartment-fire wrongful death case, and we bring that same level of preparation to every burn case we accept.
We answer calls 24/7 and will travel to you, including the burn unit. Call (312) 448-8181 for a free consultation.
Why Families Turn to Kennedy Watkins After a Fire or Burn Injury
Burn cases demand patience, resources, and attorneys who understand how fires start and spread. Jack Kennedy and Daniel Watkins work every case side by side, so your family gets senior attention from the first call to the final resolution.
- A $34 million fire verdict: Our apartment-fire wrongful death result shows how seriously we prepare these cases for trial.
- Fire-scene investigation: We work with fire cause-and-origin investigators to learn how the fire began and why it spread.
- Help at the hospital: We travel to clients across Illinois, including burn centers and rehabilitation facilities.
- Always available: We are reachable 24/7, and consultations are free.
Past results do not predict the outcome of any future case. Every fire and every family is different, and we treat yours that way. We’re with you. On your side. By your side. Call us today.
What Does a Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer Do?
A Chicago burn injury lawyer investigates the cause of the fire or burn, identifies who is legally responsible, and pursues compensation for your medical care, lost income, and long-term needs. That work begins before evidence is cleared away.
Fire scenes change quickly. Buildings are boarded up, debris is hauled off, and repairs start within days, so we move fast to preserve:
- Fire department and fire investigator reports
- Photos and video of the scene, including smoke detectors and exits
- Building inspection histories and code violation records
- Maintenance logs, tenant complaints, and repair requests
This evidence often decides whether a fire was an unavoidable accident or the result of someone’s negligence. We gather it so you can focus on recovery.
Burn and Fire Injury Claims We Handle in Chicago
Burn injuries happen in homes, workplaces, vehicles, and businesses. Here is a quick look at the types of cases we take on.
Apartment and Residential Fires
Multi-unit buildings, from courtyard complexes to classic three-flats, can trap residents when smoke detectors fail or exits are blocked. Our $34 million verdict came from this type of case, and we handle apartment and residential fire claims across the city.
Landlord-Caused Fires
Landlords are responsible for wiring, heating systems, and fire safety equipment in the units they rent. We hold property owners accountable when a landlord’s negligence causes a fire.
Workplace Burns and Explosions
Construction sites, restaurants, and industrial facilities carry fire and explosion risks. Workers’ compensation usually applies, but a contractor or property owner other than your employer may also be responsible.
Vehicle Fires
A violent crash can rupture a fuel line and start a fire within seconds. When a careless driver causes that crash, they can be held responsible for the burn injuries that follow.
Chemical Burns
Improperly stored cleaning agents, industrial chemicals, and pool chemicals can burn skin, eyes, and lungs. These cases often turn on how a business or property owner handled hazardous materials.
Electrical Burns
Exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and unsafe electrical work can cause deep internal burns that are worse than they look on the surface. Owners and contractors who ignore electrical hazards can be held accountable.
Scald and Hot Liquid Burns
Excessively hot tap water, steam, and spilled hot beverages can cause severe scalds, especially for young children and older adults. In apartment buildings, the owner often controls the water heater settings that make these burns possible.
No matter how your burn happened, we start with the same question: what should have been done differently, and by whom?
How Are Burn Injuries Classified?
Doctors classify burns by degree, based on how deeply the burn damages the skin and the tissue beneath it. The degree of a burn shapes the treatment you need and the value of your claim.
- First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin and usually heal on their own.
- Second-degree burns reach deeper layers, causing blisters, intense pain, and possible scarring.
- Third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of the skin and often require skin grafts.
- Fourth-degree burns extend into muscle, tendon, or bone and can lead to amputation.
Smoke inhalation can also cause lasting lung damage, even without visible burns. We make sure every injury, seen and unseen, is part of your claim.
What Does Recovery From a Severe Burn Look Like?
Recovery from a severe burn usually happens in stages that can stretch over months or years. Knowing what lies ahead helps us value your claim accurately from the start.
Acute Care
The first weeks often happen in a burn unit, where the focus is on preventing infection, managing pain, and stabilizing fluids. Some patients need breathing support if smoke damaged their airways.
Wound Care and Grafting
Deep burns may require several skin graft surgeries and painful dressing changes. Each procedure brings its own recovery period and time away from work.
Rehabilitation and Scar Management
As skin heals, it can tighten and limit movement. Physical therapy, compression garments, and later reconstructive procedures help survivors regain function and comfort.
Because recovery unfolds over time, settling a burn case too early can leave future needs unpaid. We wait until we understand the full course of your treatment before advising on any offer.
Who Is Liable for a Fire or Burn Injury in Illinois?
Whoever caused the fire or failed to take reasonable safety steps can be liable for a burn injury in Illinois. Liability usually rests on negligence, which means someone failed to act with reasonable care.
Property owners must use reasonable care toward visitors under the Illinois Premises Liability Act. Owners of homes and apartments also have duties under the Illinois Smoke Detector Act, which requires working smoke alarms in dwelling units.
Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include landlords, property managers, businesses, contractors, and negligent drivers. Many fire cases overlap with claims involving unsafe property conditions, such as broken exits or faulty wiring.
Burn Injuries and Emotional Trauma
The physical wounds from a burn are only part of the story. Many survivors live with nightmares, anxiety around heat or flames, and flashbacks to the moment the fire started.
Visible scarring can also affect how people feel in public, at work, and in their relationships. Children may struggle at school, and spouses and parents often carry their own trauma after watching a loved one suffer.
Illinois law allows compensation for emotional distress and loss of normal life, not only medical bills. We document these harms through counselors, family members, and your own words, so a jury or insurer understands the full weight of what you are carrying.
The Long-Term Costs of a Serious Burn Injury
Severe burns often require months of treatment and years of follow-up care. The compensation you pursue should reflect the full road ahead, not only the bills in front of you today.
- Burn unit care, skin grafts, and reconstructive surgery
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Counseling for trauma, anxiety, and depression
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Disfigurement, pain, and loss of normal life
- Replacement housing and belongings lost in a fire
We work with your medical providers to project future care needs, so a settlement offer does not leave you short years from now. Recovering compensation is about getting you the care and stability you deserve.
When a Burn Injury or Fire Takes a Life
Losing someone to a fire is a grief no family should face. Illinois law gives surviving family members the right to seek accountability under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.
These cases are about justice and about making sure a family has the resources it needs to go on. We guide families through what happens when a burn injury or fire is fatal, gently and at a pace that respects their loss.
How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Claim in Illinois?
Most burn injury lawsuits in Illinois must be filed within two years of the injury under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Claims against a public body often carry a shorter deadline.
Two years can pass quickly when you are in surgery and rehabilitation. Contacting us early gives us time to investigate while the fire scene and records are still available.
FAQs Answered by a Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer
Below are answers to questions burn survivors and their families often ask us.
What if the fire department says the cause is undetermined?
An undetermined ruling does not end a civil claim. Private fire investigators can often find answers that an initial report did not, especially about missing alarms or code violations.
Can I recover compensation for scarring?
Yes. Illinois law recognizes disfigurement as its own type of harm, and scarring from a burn can be a significant part of your claim.
Who pays for temporary housing after a fire?
If the fire was caused by negligence, temporary housing costs may be part of your damages. Keep receipts for hotels, new rent, and other expenses.
What if the property owner’s insurance company contacts me after a fire?
You can take their contact information and let them know you will follow up. Many people speak with a lawyer before giving a statement or signing anything, since early offers rarely reflect the full cost of a burn injury.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Often, yes. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, you may recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, though your award is reduced by your share.
Do you handle burn cases for children?
Yes. Children’s burn cases require special care because a child may need treatment and surgeries for years as they grow.
What does it cost to work with your firm?
Your consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis. You owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Speak With a Chicago Fire Injury Lawyer Today
You do not have to figure out what comes next on your own. Kennedy Watkins Injury Attorneys is ready to investigate your fire or burn injury and fight for the care, stability, and accountability your family deserves.
Call (312) 448-8181 any time or contact us online. We will come to you, wherever you are in Illinois.