Burn Injury Attorneys
Legal Help After A Serious Burn
Serious burns change lives in an instant. Painful treatment, surgeries, and the risk of permanent scarring can affect every part of your future, especially when the injury happened in a workplace, rail yard, or industrial setting controlled by a large company. When you are facing that reality, you need a burn injury attorney who understands what you are up against as part of a broader Chicago personal injury lawyer practice.
The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC represents individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by severe burns linked to toxic exposure, railroad incidents, and corporate negligence. After more than a decade defending Fortune 500 companies in high stakes toxic tort cases, Gregory M. McMahon now uses that experience to hold those same kinds of corporations accountable.
If you suffered a serious burn in or around Chicago and have questions about your options, contact our firm for a free consultation to understand how the law may protect you and what steps may be available.
Why Burn Survivors Choose This Firm
Choosing a lawyer after a devastating injury is not about slogans. It is about finding someone who understands how powerful companies operate and who is prepared to confront them. Gregory M. McMahon spent more than ten years as a corporate defense lawyer, handling complex toxic tort litigation for Fortune 500 clients before founding The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC.
That experience means he has seen, from the inside, how corporations and their insurers analyze risk, manage serious injury claims, and look for ways to limit what they pay. He knows how defense teams approach discovery, what documents they try to protect, and which arguments they tend to rely on when workers are badly hurt. Now, that knowledge is used to help burn survivors and their families rather than defend companies.
The firm’s approach is built on strategy, preparation, and a commitment to justice for injured workers. Clients work with a burn injury lawyer who understands that recovery after a serious burn is long, painful, and deeply personal. In many cases, burns occur alongside other life-altering harm, including traumatic brain injuries or injuries severe enough to be considered catastrophic injuries.
In many matters, that background has helped uncover patterns in safety policies or maintenance practices that would otherwise be easy to overlook. For example, understanding how companies track incidents and report to their insurers can help identify when a known hazard was ignored before an explosion or fire. This type of insight can be important in building a strong claim for a burn survivor.
Serious Burns & Corporate Negligence
Not every burn involves corporate misconduct, but many of the most severe and complex cases do. Industrial facilities, rail yards, manufacturing plants, and large warehouses often contain high heat equipment, flammable materials, or hazardous chemicals. When safety systems fail or procedures are ignored, workers and bystanders can suffer life changing burn injuries.
Severe burns may be thermal, chemical, or electrical in nature. Chemical burns may result from chemical exposure to corrosive substances, while inhalation injuries from smoke or toxic fumes can be just as dangerous as visible burns. These injuries often require extensive medical care and can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
In the most tragic situations, burn injuries lead to fatal complications. When that occurs, surviving family members may need to explore whether a wrongful death claim is appropriate under Illinois law.
Corporate negligence can contribute to these events in many ways. Equipment may not be maintained properly, safety guards and alarms may be disabled, or workers may not receive adequate training on handling dangerous substances. Protective gear might be insufficient or unavailable. In railroad and industrial environments in the Chicago region, these failures can lead to flash fires, explosions, and severe chemical exposure.
Examples of corporate failures that may lead to burn injuries include:
- Inadequate maintenance of boilers, furnaces, or fuel systems
- Improper storage or labeling of flammable or corrosive chemicals
- Failure to provide or enforce use of protective clothing and equipment
- Ignoring known leaks, electrical problems, or past incident reports
- Pressure on workers or contractors to work quickly instead of safely
Often, more than one party may share responsibility for a serious burn. A property owner, an employer, a contractor, a product manufacturer, or a railroad can all play a role. A burn injury lawyer with experience in toxic exposure and railroad matters can help sort through these layers, identify where safety broke down, and pursue claims against the appropriate entities.
What To Do After A Burn Injury
After a serious burn, your first priority is to get medical care and follow through with the treatment plan. Emergency care, wound management, and follow up appointments are not only essential for your health, they also create a clear record of how the injury has affected you. It is important to tell your providers accurately how the burn happened so this information is documented.
At the same time, certain practical steps can help protect your legal rights. Preserving evidence from the scene is often crucial, especially when a large company or railroad controls the property where the burn occurred. If you can do so safely, or if a trusted family member can help, photographs and written notes can later assist your attorney in understanding what happened.
You should be cautious about giving detailed statements or signing documents from insurance adjusters, third party administrators, or corporate representatives before you have legal advice. Quick settlement offers usually come before the full extent of your recovery and scarring is known. Once you accept such an offer, you may not be able to seek additional compensation if complications arise.
Helpful steps to take in the days after a serious burn include:
- Following all medical recommendations and keeping copies of treatment records
- Photographing your injuries regularly to show the progression and scarring
- Saving clothing, safety gear, or tools that were involved in the incident
- Writing down names and contact information for coworkers or witnesses
- Keeping a journal of pain levels, sleep disruption, and how the burn affects daily life
The sooner a burn injury attorney is involved, the easier it can be to secure important evidence such as maintenance logs, safety manuals, and incident reports. At The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC, the firm works to take on communications with insurers and corporate representatives so that clients can focus on healing instead of arguing with professionals trained to minimize claims.
How A Burn Injury Lawyer Builds Your Case
Building a strong case after a serious burn requires both detailed factual investigation and a clear understanding of how corporate defendants approach these claims. At The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC, every matter begins with a careful review of how and where the burn occurred, what equipment or substances were involved, and which companies controlled the environment.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include gathering incident reports, safety procedures, maintenance records, internal emails, and chemical safety data sheets. For railroad or industrial incidents, it can also involve reviewing operating rules and past complaints about similar hazards. The goal is to identify not just what happened on the day of the burn, but whether there were earlier warning signs that the company ignored.
Gregory M. McMahon’s background in toxic tort and FELA related defense matters informs this process. Having seen how corporations and their counsel build defenses, he understands the arguments they are likely to make, such as blaming the worker, minimizing the severity of the burns, or treating the event as an unavoidable accident. That insight helps him anticipate these strategies and work to counter them with targeted evidence.
A comprehensive burn injury claim typically looks beyond immediate medical bills. It considers lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, the cost of reconstructive surgeries, the impact of disfigurement, and the emotional trauma that often follows a devastating injury. The firm’s goal is to present a clear picture of how the burn has changed a client’s life, supported by medical, vocational, and other documentation.
Throughout this process, communication is important. Clients receive explanations in straightforward language about what is happening with their claim and what decisions lie ahead. A burn injury attorney cannot change what occurred, but a well prepared case can help hold negligent companies accountable and provide resources for long term recovery.
Serving Burn Victims In Chicago
Chicago is a major hub for rail transportation, manufacturing, and warehousing, and that activity can come with real risks. When safety is not taken seriously in these environments, workers and others may suffer severe burns from fires, explosions, electrical incidents, or exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC represents burn survivors whose injuries arise in and around this city.
When a claim involves an incident within Chicago, civil cases are often filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. For events in nearby communities, other Illinois courts may be involved. Gregory M. McMahon evaluates where a claim should proceed based on where the conduct occurred and which companies are responsible, then advises clients on the most appropriate forum.
The firm handles matters involving corporate facilities, rail yards, industrial plants, and other locations throughout the area. This can include burns suffered by employees, contractors, or individuals living or working near dangerous operations. Because each case is different, a careful review of the facts and applicable Illinois law is essential before deciding how to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire you?
There is no charge for your initial consultation. In many burn cases, the firm uses a contingency based structure, which means legal fees are paid out of a recovery instead of upfront. Specific arrangements are discussed clearly at the start so you understand the financial terms.
What makes your firm right for my burn case?
Gregory M. McMahon spent more than a decade defending Fortune 500 companies in toxic tort and related litigation. That experience now helps injured people by revealing how corporations defend burn and exposure claims and where their weaknesses often lie. Clients benefit from strategic insight and focused attention.
Can I bring a claim if my employer caused my burns?
Many burn cases involve employers, railroads, or large companies, and legal options depend on the type of job and circumstances. You may have claims against third parties, such as property owners or manufacturers, in addition to workplace benefits. An attorney can review your situation and explain which avenues may be available.
How soon after a burn injury should I call?
It is usually best to speak with a lawyer as soon as your medical condition allows. Early involvement can help protect evidence and avoid mistakes with insurers or corporate representatives. Illinois has deadlines for filing claims, so waiting too long can limit your options or bar recovery entirely.
What will a burn injury attorney actually do for me?
Your attorney works to investigate what happened, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your burns. This includes handling communications with companies and insurers. At The Law Office of Gregory M. McMahon LLC, that work is guided by first hand knowledge of how corporations defend serious injury cases.
