Bloomington Burn Injury Attorney

Legal Help For Serious Burn Injuries

Serious burns change life in an instant. Painful procedures, the risk of infection, visible scarring, and time away from work can leave you worried about your health and your future. If you suffered a burn injury in Bloomington or the surrounding Central Illinois area, you do not have to navigate this alone.

At Haxel Law, we help burn survivors and their families understand their rights and pursue compensation so they can focus on healing. Our team listens to your story, explains your options in plain language, and deals with insurance companies that try to minimize the impact of your injuries.

Attorney Martin Haxel has more than 40 years of experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in Illinois, including many complex legal matters. He began his career working for insurance companies, so we know the tactics adjusters use and how to respond. Your initial consultation is free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.

Call (217) 215-4166 to schedule your free case evaluation.

What is a Burn Injury?

A burn injury occurs when the skin or underlying tissue is damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. These injuries can range from minor surface burns to severe, life-threatening trauma that requires surgery, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation.

Burn injuries are often categorized by severity:

• First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin and typically cause redness and mild pain.
• Second-degree burns: Penetrate deeper into the skin and may cause blistering, swelling, and intense discomfort.
• Third-degree burns: Destroy multiple layers of skin and tissue, potentially affecting nerves and leading to permanent damage.
• Fourth-degree burns: Extend into muscles, tendons, and bones, often resulting in life-threatening complications.

Even seemingly minor burns can lead to infections, complications, and emotional trauma. Severe burns frequently require years of treatment and recovery.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can happen in a wide range of environments, from homes and workplaces to public spaces and roadways. Some of the most common types include:

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with flames, hot liquids, steam, or heated surfaces. These are among the most common burn injuries and often result from fires, cooking accidents, and vehicle crashes.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns happen when the skin or eyes are exposed to harmful substances such as acids, cleaning products, or industrial chemicals. These injuries can continue to worsen until the chemical is fully removed.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns occur when a person comes into contact with an electrical current. These injuries may cause internal damage that is not immediately visible, making them particularly dangerous.

Radiation Burns

Radiation burns may result from prolonged sun exposure, medical treatments like radiation therapy, or industrial accidents.

Friction Burns

Friction burns occur when skin is scraped forcefully against a surface, often in motorcycle accidents, bicycle crashes, or workplace incidents involving machinery.

Each type of burn injury may involve different medical challenges and legal considerations, making experienced legal guidance essential.

The Long-Term Impact of a Burn Injury

Burn injuries often extend far beyond the initial incident. Victims may face lifelong physical, emotional, and financial consequences.

Physical Effects

Severe burns can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, and limited mobility. Many victims require reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, and ongoing therapy.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Burn survivors frequently experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reduced self-confidence, particularly when visible scarring is involved.

Financial Burdens

Medical bills for burn treatment can be overwhelming. Victims may face:

• Emergency care and hospitalization
• Surgeries and skin graft procedures
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Long-term medication and treatment
• Lost income and reduced earning ability

The total cost of recovery can be substantial, especially when injuries prevent a return to work.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Bloomington, IL

Burn injuries are often preventable and occur due to negligence, unsafe conditions, or defective products. Some common causes include:

• Residential or apartment fires
• Workplace accidents involving machinery or chemicals
• Car and truck accidents involving fires or explosions
• Defective appliances or electrical equipment
• Gas leaks and explosions
• Restaurant and commercial kitchen accidents

When another party’s negligence contributes to a burn injury, they may be held legally responsible for damages.

Why Burn Injury Victims Choose Our Team

When you are dealing with a severe burn, you need more than legal information. You need a steady team that understands both the medical and financial stakes and knows how insurers think. At Haxel Law, we bring a combination of local commitment and hard-earned experience that is rare in Central Illinois.

Attorney Haxel has spent decades on both sides of injury and workers’ compensation cases. That dual background helps us anticipate how insurance carriers may attack a burn injury claim, from downplaying scarring to questioning future treatment. We work to build your case with the evidence needed to counter those arguments and to present the full impact of your injuries.

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured people across Southern and Central Illinois, including a $1.3 million recovery for a motorcyclist and significant results for injured workers, firefighters, and truck drivers. These are the types of serious, contested cases where careful preparation and persistence matter. We have handled more than 100 trials and appeals, including hearings before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and we are prepared to litigate when fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation.

We also know that personal attention makes a difference when you are in pain. Our team returns calls, explains each step before it happens, and keeps you updated throughout your case. We investigate what happened, identify all available insurance coverage and policy limits, and work with health insurance professionals to negotiate reimbursements so that as much of the recovery as possible goes to you for your pain, suffering, and future needs. Our practice is built on referrals from past clients who appreciated this combination of honest counsel and determined advocacy.

Reach out today to learn how a burn injury lawyer in Bloomington can help you move forward while you focus on healing.