Valparaiso Burn Injury Attorneys

Burn injuries are among the most painful, debilitating, and life-altering traumas a person can experience. From the initial agony of the burn itself to the long, grueling recovery process, victims often face permanent scars, both visible and invisible. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we understand that burn injuries require more than just medical care; they demand fierce legal advocacy to hold wrongdoers accountable and secure the resources victims need to heal.

Since 1988, our law firm has represented seriously injured individuals across Valparaiso and Porter County. Our Valparaiso burn injury attorneys bring more than 75 years of combined experience in personal injury law, with a strong focus on catastrophic cases like severe burns caused by fires, explosions, chemical exposure, and electrical hazards.

Whether your injury occurred at home, on the job, or due to a defective product, we are here to fight for your recovery.

Types of Burn Injuries We Handle

Not all burns are the same. While fire is the most commonly recognized source, burn injuries can result from many hazards, and each type may involve unique complications and legal implications. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we represent clients suffering from all major categories of burn trauma.

Thermal burns are the most common and are typically caused by direct contact with flames, hot objects, boiling liquids, or steam. These are frequently seen in house fires, vehicle collisions, and industrial explosions.
Electrical burns occur when the body comes into contact with an electrical current, often resulting in deep internal damage that isn’t immediately visible on the skin. These are particularly dangerous and may lead to heart complications, nerve damage, or even death. They are common on construction sites or in buildings with faulty wiring.
Chemical burns happen when corrosive substances, such as industrial cleaners, acids, or solvents, come into contact with the skin or eyes. These burns can be particularly difficult to treat and may cause long-term organ or tissue damage.
Radiation burns may result from medical treatment errors (such as overexposure during radiation therapy) or malfunctioning equipment. While less common, they still pose serious health risks.
Friction burns, including road rash, combine abrasion with thermal damage and often occur during motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, or falls on hard surfaces.

Each type of burn injury requires specific medical and legal responses. As such, it’s critical to work with a legal team familiar with the full scope of burn-related trauma so nothing is overlooked in your recovery.

Degrees of Burn Severity

Burn injuries are medically categorized by degrees, which reflect how deeply the skin and underlying tissues are affected. These classifications are not just important for treatment; they also help determine the long-term impact on the victim’s health and the potential value of a legal claim.

First-degree burns are the mildest, affecting only the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). These burns typically cause redness, pain, and minor swelling but usually heal without scarring.
Second-degree burns extend into the deeper layers of skin (the dermis) and often result in blistering, intense pain, and risk of infection. Healing can take weeks and may leave scars or discoloration, especially if not treated properly.
Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin and can damage underlying tissue. These injuries may appear white, blackened, or charred. Because nerve endings are often destroyed, third-degree burns may actually feel numb. These burns almost always require skin grafting and leave significant scarring.
Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, affecting muscles, tendons, or bones. These catastrophic injuries carry a high risk of complications, require extensive surgery, and may result in permanent disability or death.

Understanding the severity of your burn injury is a critical step in calculating both immediate medical needs and long-term damages. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we work closely with medical experts to ensure every injury is fully documented and legally accounted for.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Valparaiso

Burn injuries can occur anywhere, from your own kitchen to your workplace or even in the middle of a routine commute. Throughout Porter County, our burn injury lawyers have seen burn victims hurt in a wide range of preventable incidents. Understanding the cause of the injury is key to determining who is legally responsible and what compensation may be available.

Residential Fires

One of the most frequent causes of burns is residential fires, which may result from faulty wiring, defective appliances, space heater malfunctions, or unattended cooking. In some cases, landlords fail to maintain smoke detectors or repair known hazards, putting tenants at risk.

Auto Accidents

Serious car accidents are another significant source of serious burns. When a car or truck catches fire after a collision, especially if flammable materials or electrical systems are involved, occupants can suffer thermal or chemical burns in seconds.

Construction and Industrial Accidents

In the construction and industrial sectors, workers are frequently exposed to electrical systems, high-temperature equipment, and hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. Accidents caused by inadequate training, lack of protective gear, or unsafe job sites can lead to life-changing injuries.

Chemical exposure in factories, warehouses, or laboratories also poses a severe risk. Even brief contact with corrosive substances can cause burns to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system, especially if safety protocols are ignored.

At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our Valparaiso burn injury lawyers will dig deep into the origin of your injury to identify every party whose negligence contributed to your suffering.

Physical and Psychological Impact

The damage caused by severe burns extends far beyond the surface of the skin. Burn victims often face a lifetime of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that can impact every aspect of their lives.

Physically, burn injuries may require multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, debridement, and reconstructive procedures. Victims may suffer permanent scarring, loss of mobility, or even amputations, particularly when the burns affect joints or limbs. Infections are a constant threat, especially during the initial recovery period, and many victims endure chronic pain or nerve damage that never fully resolves.

Emotionally, survivors of burn injuries often carry invisible wounds. The trauma of the event itself, whether it’s a fire, explosion, or chemical accident, can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many struggle with anxiety, depression, and body image issues, particularly if the burns caused disfigurement. Returning to work, school, or even social events may become overwhelming or impossible.

Burn victims also face unique psychological hurdles. Children with burn injuries may be bullied or isolated, while adults may withdraw from public life or experience difficulties maintaining relationships. The journey through healing isn’t only physical; it demands emotional resilience and support.

At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we understand that burn cases are about more than skin injuries. We partner with medical specialists, mental health professionals, and life care planners to ensure every client receives the full scope of care and compensation they deserve.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Serious Burn Injury?

Determining who is responsible for a serious burn injury is a significant part of building a successful legal claim. In many cases, liability extends beyond a single negligent party. Burn injuries often result from a complex chain of failures involving individuals, corporations, and institutions that owe a duty of care.

When a burn occurs in a rental home or apartment, landlords may be liable for failing to maintain safe living conditions, such as working smoke detectors, proper wiring, or safe heating systems. Landlords also have a legal obligation to follow building codes and conduct timely repairs.

Employers and contractors may be responsible when burns occur in the workplace. If the employer failed to provide adequate protective equipment, ignored known hazards, or violated safety regulations, they may face legal consequences. This is especially true in cases involving third-party contractors or equipment manufacturers.

If a defective product, such as a faulty space heater, battery, or cleaning chemical, caused the burn, the product manufacturer, designer, or distributor may be liable under Indiana product liability laws. This applies whether the defect involved poor design, manufacturing flaws, or a failure to warn consumers of known dangers.

Property owners, including businesses or municipalities, can be held accountable if a hazard on their premises led to a burn injury. For example, exposed electrical wiring or spilled chemicals left unattended can create serious risks to visitors and workers.

At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our Valparaiso burn injury attorneys work tirelessly to uncover the full picture of what happened. We consult with fire investigators, electrical engineers, and safety experts to identify all liable parties. This thorough approach ensures that no one responsible for the incident escapes accountability and that our clients pursue every available avenue for recovery.

What Compensation Is Available to Burn Injury Victims?

Burn injuries are among the most expensive and traumatic types of personal injury, both physically and financially. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we fight for full compensation that reflects every dimension of your suffering, not just your immediate medical bills.

Economic damages often include extensive medical expenses, such as emergency room visits, surgeries, skin grafts, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and the cost of future care. Many burn victims require years of follow-up treatment, including physical therapy, pain management, and reconstructive surgeries. We also seek compensation for the cost of prosthetics, specialized medical equipment, home health aides, or necessary home modifications.

In addition to medical care, we pursue damages for lost income and reduced earning capacity. Burn survivors often miss weeks or months of work and, in severe cases, may never return to their previous occupation. Whether you’re a construction worker unable to return to a physical job or a professional whose disfigurement impacts your ability to perform, we work with economic experts to estimate the true impact on your career.

Our burn injury attorneys also aggressively pursue non-economic damages, the intangible yet deeply felt consequences of your injury. These may include chronic pain, disfigurement, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and reduced quality of life. For many burn survivors, the psychological toll of the injury is just as serious as the physical one.

Finally, in cases involving reckless or egregious conduct, such as a landlord ignoring fire hazards or a manufacturer selling dangerously defective products, we may seek punitive damages to punish wrongdoing and deter future negligence.

Our goal is always to pursue the maximum available compensation to help you rebuild your life with dignity and security.

Indiana’s Statute of Limitations for Burn Injuries

In Indiana, victims of burn injuries have a limited amount of time to take legal action. Under state law, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to most negligence claims, including those involving fires, explosions, electrical accidents, chemical exposure, and defective products.

Missing this deadline can have serious consequences. If you attempt to file after the two-year window has closed, your case may be dismissed, and you can permanently lose your right to seek compensation, no matter how strong your claim might be.

However, there are certain exceptions. For example, if the injury victim is a minor or mentally incapacitated at the time of the incident, the clock may be paused or extended. Similarly, if the liable party is a government entity, such as a city agency responsible for fire safety or public housing, you may be required to file a notice of claim within a much shorter time. Sometimes, this time frame is as little as 180 days.

Because these rules can be complicated and case-specific, it’s imperative to consult with our knowledgeable burn injury attorneys as soon as possible. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we act swiftly to preserve your legal rights, collect vital evidence, and ensure that your case complies with every procedural deadline. Don’t let time run out on your opportunity for justice.

Why Choose Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. for Your Burn Injury Case?

At Theodoros & Rooth, we know that burn injury cases are among the most physically and emotionally demanding claims a family can face. Since 1988, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping seriously injured clients in Valparaiso and throughout Northwest Indiana recover meaningful compensation and reclaim their lives.

What sets us apart is our deep experience and unwavering commitment. Our Valparaiso burn injury attorneys bring over 75 years of combined legal knowledge, and we limit our caseload to give each client the full attention and resources their case deserves. We’ve earned recognition from Best Lawyers, Indiana Super Lawyers, and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Firms because of our relentless pursuit of justice.

Our team approach means you never face your recovery alone. From the moment you call, you have access to experienced burn injury lawyers, investigators, medical consultants, and support staff, all working together to secure the outcome you need. We understand the local landscape, from Valparaiso’s neighborhoods to industrial facilities throughout Porter County.

We are available 24/7 to answer your questions, review your case, and take immediate action when your future is at stake. Consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Our Valparaiso Burn Injury Attorneys Are Ready to Help

If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn due to someone else’s negligence, let us help you get answers and take the first step toward justice. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.