When a person suffers a significant burn injury, it can lead to chronic pain, disfigurement, and permanent disability. According to the American Burn Association (ABA), every year, an average of 121,000 Americans suffer burn injuries that require emergency room visits. The average number of fire-related fatalities in the United States is approximately 3,275. If you or a loved one have been injured by a serious burn, you should contact a skilled attorney to determine your options for pursuing compensation from those who were responsible. 

Accidents Leading to Burn Injuries

Throughout the United States, a person is fatally burned every 2 hours and 35 minutes. Regardless of how burns are suffered, the impact of these injuries can be life-altering. Some of the leading causes of burn injuries include: 

• Car Accidents: According to the ABA, motor vehicle collisions only account for approximately 5% of all annual burn injuries. However, when a vehicle erupts into flame, the injuries can be incredibly severe or fatal, due to the amount of fire, the sudden nature of the eruption, and the difficulties of escaping the vehicle. A motor vehicle can catch fire for a number of reasons, including defective manufacturing of vehicle parts. If a car has a defective gas tank or fuel delivery system, leaking gas can cause dangerous fires in the immediate aftermath of a collision.
• Occupational Burns: According to statistics compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), more than 5,000 American workers suffer burn injuries on an annual basis, and chemical and electrical burns make up approximately 10% of all burn injuries that require medical attention. Despite increased safety measures designed to lower the chances of burn injuries in the workplace, occupational accidents are still the second most common cause of burn injuries. These injuries can be caused by leaks of hazardous materials, explosions, or electrical malfunctions. In the event of a burn injury in the workplace, an injured employee will typically be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. 
• Exploding E-Cigarettes: Nationwide, e-cigarettes and vape pens have become a cultural phenomenon. According to research conducted by the Annals of Internal Medicine, more than 10 million Americans currently use e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, these devices have been known to explode. E-cigarettes use a lithium-ion battery to heat up the liquid that ultimately creates the vapor that users inhale. If these batteries are defective, the device can explode or spontaneously catch fire. Due to the fact that a user of an e-cigarette will have the object close to their face, the injuries suffered in an e-cigarette accident can cause significant facial scarring or injuries to the eyes, throat, neck, or brain. 

Contact a Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer 

After suffering a burn injury, a victim can face years of chronic pain, difficulty moving, and significant skin damage or scarring. Due to the long-term symptoms of most burn injuries, many victims suffer from depression or PTSD. At Pullano Law Offices, we are prepared to aggressively fight for the injury compensation you deserve. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a skilled Cook County personal injury lawyer, contact us immediately at 312-551-1100. 

Every year, thousands of Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries that can impact the rest of their lives. If you are fortunate enough to survive a serious brain injury, the prolonged symptoms can range from severe headaches to loss of motor functions. Tragically, many brain injuries ultimately prove to be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries contribute to approximately 30% of all injury deaths in the United States. Throughout 2013 alone, 50,000 Americans died after suffering brain injuries. If a member of your family suffers a traumatic brain injury, you should seek out legal counsel immediately in order to ensure that their rights and ability to hold wrongdoers accountable are properly protected. 

The Symptoms of a Head Injury 

After suffering a traumatic brain injury, the symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the person injured. The most common brain injury is a concussion. Minor brain trauma can come with symptoms ranging from headaches to sensitivity to light to difficulty concentrating. In the event of a severe brain injury, the implications of the injury can be even more life-changing. After suffering a severe injury to the brain, many people experience memory loss, problems with hearing and vision, taste and smell loss, and issues of balance. Victims of traumatic brain injuries can also experience major changes in their personality, and severe anxiety and depression as well.  

The science of head injuries has changed drastically over the past several years. Recent studies have shown that even mild head injuries can cause severe symptoms that will not necessarily resolve. Whether the head injury is a concussion or results in brain bleeds, the injury can have lasting effects and result in symptoms that will impact the rest of the person’s life. Studies now show that failing to obtain the appropriate medical care from a team of brain injury specialists right away can have detrimental impact on a person’s ability to recover. These studies show that an interdisciplinary team of specialists, including neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, neuropsychologists, pain management doctors, and speech therapists can play a significant role in your loved one making a good recovery. As a result, do not delay in seeking and obtaining this type of treatment and care after a head injury. 

When the vast majority of Americans think about problems at nursing homes, they think of outright abuse, such as intentional physical harm, verbal abuse, or sexual misconduct. In reality, the vast majority of problematic behavior from nursing home staff members comes in the form of nursing home neglect. 

Nursing home neglect differs from nursing home abuse in that neglect is not always intentional, but is often an unintentional oversight or breach of responsibility that results in harm to the nursing home occupant. Thousands of elderly Americans are plagued by the negligence of their caretakers, and if you believe that your elderly loved one is being negatively affected by negligent staff at their nursing home facility, it is important to understand your legal options. 

Types of Nursing Home Negligence 

Much like nursing home abuse, negligence in a senior care facility can come in a number of different forms. The four most common types of senior care negligence include: 

When we place our elderly loved ones in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we are placing a great deal of trust in the caretakers and staff members of the facility. Tragically, a large number of assisted living facilities allow their staff to neglect and abuse their residents, either knowingly or unknowingly. In fact, approximately two million cases of elder abuse are reported each year. 

Shockingly, nearly one in ten Americans over the age of 65 will experience some form of elder abuse. If you believe your elderly loved one is suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse, it is time to contact law enforcement officials, medical staff, and a legal team you can trust. 

What Is Elder Abuse? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elder abuse is defined as the intentional act of causing harm to an elderly person entrusted to one’s care. Elder abuse is not just limited to outright physical abuse, but it can also come in the form of emotional and verbal abuse, neglect of the everyday needs of the patient, and sexual misconduct. 

Cycling is a common form of exercise, recreation, and transportation in the Chicago area, especially in the summer months. However, while cycling may be a relaxing and enjoyable activity, it can be extremely dangerous. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,322 bicycle crashes in the state in 2015 alone. 

Chicago and many other major cities have taken action toward making cycling safer for everyone. Bicycle lanes have been created to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike. But even though cyclists are provided their own space on the road, serious and sometimes fatal bicycle accidents continue to happen daily.

Common Injuries