logo
  • Home
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Appellate Law
    • Financial Institutions
    • Business & Transactional
    • Civil Litigation
    • Construction
    • Divorce & Family Law
      • Family Law FAQs
      • Child Support & Maintenance (Alimony)
      • Post Decree (After Divorce) Issues And Appeals
      • Prenuptial And Antenuptial Agreements
      • Adoption
      • Civil Unions And Dissolution
      • Marital Property, Marital Assets And Business Assets
      • Tax And Financial Planning In A Divorce
      • Paternity
      • Domestic Violence And Orders Of Protection
      • Free Resources
      • Divorce Magazine Newsletters
    • Employment
      • Employment Law FAQs
      • How The Illinois Civil Union Act Affects Employers
    • Estate Trust & Tax
    • Healthcare & Elder Law
    • Land Use
    • Local Government
      • Local Government Law Bulletin
      • Local Government Links
      • Municipal Matters Newsletters
    • Personal Injury
      • Personal Injury FAQs
      • Personal Injury News
      • Results
    • Real Estate
  • Our Attorneys
    • Richard G. Flood
    • David W. McArdle
    • Melissa J. Cooney
    • Michael J. Smoron
    • Kelly A. Cahill
    • E. Regan Daniels Shepley
    • Ruth Alderman Schlossberg
    • R. Mark Gummerson
    • Jeannine A. Thoms
    • Jennifer J. Gibson
    • Gregory J. Barry
    • Timothy Clifton
    • Brad Stewart
    • David Noland
    • Brandy S. Quance
    • Theresa Voge Kaman
    • Jacqueline Z. Riotto
    • Matthew J. Walters
  • Results
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Publications
    • ZRFM News
    • Local Government Law Bulletin
    • Books
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact
logo
  • Home
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Appellate Law
    • Financial Institutions
    • Business & Transactional
    • Civil Litigation
    • Construction
    • Divorce & Family Law
      • Family Law FAQs
      • Child Support & Maintenance (Alimony)
      • Post Decree (After Divorce) Issues And Appeals
      • Prenuptial And Antenuptial Agreements
      • Adoption
      • Civil Unions And Dissolution
      • Marital Property, Marital Assets And Business Assets
      • Tax And Financial Planning In A Divorce
      • Paternity
      • Domestic Violence And Orders Of Protection
      • Free Resources
      • Divorce Magazine Newsletters
    • Employment
      • Employment Law FAQs
      • How The Illinois Civil Union Act Affects Employers
    • Estate Trust & Tax
    • Healthcare & Elder Law
    • Land Use
    • Local Government
      • Local Government Law Bulletin
      • Local Government Links
      • Municipal Matters Newsletters
    • Personal Injury
      • Personal Injury FAQs
      • Personal Injury News
      • Results
    • Real Estate
  • Our Attorneys
    • Richard G. Flood
    • David W. McArdle
    • Melissa J. Cooney
    • Michael J. Smoron
    • Kelly A. Cahill
    • E. Regan Daniels Shepley
    • Ruth Alderman Schlossberg
    • R. Mark Gummerson
    • Jeannine A. Thoms
    • Jennifer J. Gibson
    • Gregory J. Barry
    • Timothy Clifton
    • Brad Stewart
    • David Noland
    • Brandy S. Quance
    • Theresa Voge Kaman
    • Jacqueline Z. Riotto
    • Matthew J. Walters
  • Results
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Publications
    • ZRFM News
    • Local Government Law Bulletin
    • Books
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Appellate Law
    • Financial Institutions
    • Business & Transactional
    • Civil Litigation
    • Construction
    • Divorce & Family Law
      • Family Law FAQs
      • Child Support & Maintenance (Alimony)
      • Post Decree (After Divorce) Issues And Appeals
      • Prenuptial And Antenuptial Agreements
      • Adoption
      • Civil Unions And Dissolution
      • Marital Property, Marital Assets And Business Assets
      • Tax And Financial Planning In A Divorce
      • Paternity
      • Domestic Violence And Orders Of Protection
      • Free Resources
      • Divorce Magazine Newsletters
    • Employment
      • Employment Law FAQs
      • How The Illinois Civil Union Act Affects Employers
    • Estate Trust & Tax
    • Healthcare & Elder Law
    • Land Use
    • Local Government
      • Local Government Law Bulletin
      • Local Government Links
      • Municipal Matters Newsletters
    • Personal Injury
      • Personal Injury FAQs
      • Personal Injury News
      • Results
    • Real Estate
  • Our Attorneys
    • Richard G. Flood
    • David W. McArdle
    • Melissa J. Cooney
    • Michael J. Smoron
    • Kelly A. Cahill
    • E. Regan Daniels Shepley
    • Ruth Alderman Schlossberg
    • R. Mark Gummerson
    • Jeannine A. Thoms
    • Jennifer J. Gibson
    • Gregory J. Barry
    • Timothy Clifton
    • Brad Stewart
    • David Noland
    • Brandy S. Quance
    • Theresa Voge Kaman
    • Jacqueline Z. Riotto
    • Matthew J. Walters
  • Results
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Publications
    • ZRFM News
    • Local Government Law Bulletin
    • Books
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact

Laser Burn Injuries

Suffered second degree or third degree burns after receiving a laser hair removal

Laser burn lawyers continue to see the damage that negligent cosmetic laser hair removal can cause. If you have suffered second degree or third degree burns after receiving a laser hair removal treatment at a spa or laser hair removal facility, rest assured it is not a normal occurrence. Even when severe pain and discomfort do not result, scarring that may require treatment is a real possibility.

As with any personal injury, documenting the injury early on is essential. Detailed photographs of sufficient resolution at the time of the injury and at regular intervals afterward will help to establish that your burns will likely be permanent. An evaluation from a dermatologist or, if necessary, a plastic surgeon will make your claim more credible. The laser burn attorneys at Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle can assist you in navigating this process during a free initial consultation.

Laser hair removal session with beauty technician and female patient, epilating arm hair, in a cosmetology skin clinic.

Because unlicensed technicians, not doctors, often perform cosmetic laser hair removal, the number of laser burn injuries continues to increase in Illinois and Wisconsin and across the United States as the procedure grows in popularity.

In a 2011 case in Cook County, Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle succeeded in arguing that lawsuits arising from such laser hair removal burn injuries could be filed using simple negligence theories in Illinois. In other words, a person injured by such burns typically does not have to file a medical malpractice claim or meet its heightened requirements when a technician performs the procedure. State courts in Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri and Texas have reached similar conclusions. To read more about this case, please view a story about this Cook County ruling.

Is anyone at increased risk of a laser hair removal burn?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Laser hair removal depends on the ability of the laser device to distinguish color differences. In other words, a laser is supposed to destroy a hair follicle by heating it up while leaving the surrounding skin of a different color untouched. For this reason, people with tattoos near a treated area face even greater risks of burns and scars. Ink from a tattoo can cause the laser to burn the tattoo in the same way a laser is supposed to burn a hair follicle.

Individuals with darker skin tones are more likely to experience second or third degree laser hair removal burn injuries and other side effects because their melanin is more likely to store the heat energy from the laser. For this reason, lasers are usually set lower for people with darker skin. Certain medical conditions, medications and prior sun exposure also can affect how a person’s skin reacts to a laser.

Also, treatments performed with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) machines increase the risks of second and third degree burns, due to the shorter wavelength that more quickly creates heat.

Who is legally responsible for the laser burn?

Although a laser burn injury can trigger many legal causes of action, it typically includes simple negligence or, in lay terms, carelessness. A wide variety of persons and entities may be held responsible for your injuries. Often the technician, cosmetologist or a non-physician who performed the procedure is responsible. Those who supervised or were supposed to supervise such an individual also may share in the legal responsibility. This could include a physician, medical provider, medical director, trainer, business owner, the company that employs the technician, or even the manufacturer or distributor of the laser equipment.

The specific grounds for a lawsuit can only be determined once a legal professional investigates and uncovers the circumstances of your laser burn injury. As with any personal injury, it is important to consult with a lawyer soon after the injury to preserve evidence and to have the best opportunity for a full and fair settlement. After a laser burn occurs, do not allow the laser hair treatment facility to trivialize the problem, have you treat the burn like a sunburn, or attempt to offer a series of follow-up treatments. Such a strategy may be designed to keep you from filing a complaint until the statute of limitations bars a lawsuit.

View Other Practice Areas

Appellate Law

Our Approach Appellate practice in Illinois requires knowledge of highly specialized rules governing jurisdiction, motion practice and briefs. It also...

Business & Transactional

Our Approach The five business and transactional lawyers at ZRFM emphasize a team approach when serving business clients like you....

Civil Litigation

Our Approach The law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle – the largest law firm in McHenry County, Illinois...

Construction

Our Approach If you or your business is engaged in the construction industry, it helps to have legal counsel who...

Divorce & Family Law

Our Approach The family law practice group at Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle has more than 60 years of divorce...

Employment

Our Approach Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle – the largest law firm in McHenry County, Illinois – provides employment and...

Estate Trust & Tax

Our Approach Estate, trust and tax planning can help to preserve assets and ensure their distribution to beneficiaries. If no...

Financial Institutions

Our Approach For more than 50 years, the law firm of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle has made representing banks,...

Healthcare & Elder Law

Our Approach With the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2012 decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, individuals and businesses inside and...

Land Use

Our Approach Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle has more than 50 years of experience in real estate, insurance, and banking...

Local Government

Our Approach When counties, municipalities, and special districts need legal advice, a law firm’s approach truly matters. Cost-effective representation is...

Personal Injury

Our Approach Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle represents clients in all areas of personal injury litigation and has unmatched experience...

Real Estate

Our Approach Many consumers and attorneys across Illinois are aware of our land use and zoning practice in the field of local...

Questions are Welcome

Call Us
(815) 459-2050
OR

Contact ZFRM

Learn More

  • Home
  • Our Practice Areas
    • Appellate Law
    • Financial Institutions
    • Business & Transactional
    • Civil Litigation
    • Construction
    • Divorce & Family Law
      • Family Law FAQs
      • Child Support & Maintenance (Alimony)
      • Post Decree (After Divorce) Issues And Appeals
      • Prenuptial And Antenuptial Agreements
      • Adoption
      • Civil Unions And Dissolution
      • Marital Property, Marital Assets And Business Assets
      • Tax And Financial Planning In A Divorce
      • Paternity
      • Domestic Violence And Orders Of Protection
      • Free Resources
      • Divorce Magazine Newsletters
    • Employment
      • Employment Law FAQs
      • How The Illinois Civil Union Act Affects Employers
    • Estate Trust & Tax
    • Healthcare & Elder Law
    • Land Use
    • Local Government
      • Local Government Law Bulletin
      • Local Government Links
      • Municipal Matters Newsletters
    • Personal Injury
      • Personal Injury FAQs
      • Personal Injury News
      • Results
    • Real Estate
  • Our Attorneys
    • Richard G. Flood
    • David W. McArdle
    • Melissa J. Cooney
    • Michael J. Smoron
    • Kelly A. Cahill
    • E. Regan Daniels Shepley
    • Ruth Alderman Schlossberg
    • R. Mark Gummerson
    • Jeannine A. Thoms
    • Jennifer J. Gibson
    • Gregory J. Barry
    • Timothy Clifton
    • Brad Stewart
    • David Noland
    • Brandy S. Quance
    • Theresa Voge Kaman
    • Jacqueline Z. Riotto
    • Matthew J. Walters
  • Results
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • Publications
    • ZRFM News
    • Local Government Law Bulletin
    • Books
  • Se Habla Español
  • Contact

Practice Areas

  • Appellate Law
  • Business & Transactional
  • Civil Litigation
  • Construction
  • Divorce & Family Law
  • Employment
  • Estate Trust & Tax
  • Financial Institutions
  • Healthcare & Elder Law
  • Land Use
  • Local Government
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Estate

Contact Info

  • 50 Virginia Street
    Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
  • info@zrfmlaw.com
  • (815) 459-2050
  • (815) 459-9057

Why ZRFM?

ZRFM offers practical, effective, and experienced advice to help them achieve goals, defend their interests, resolve short- and long-term issues, and avoid liabilities

Logo

© 2025 Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle. All Rights Reserved. Website by CyberOptik

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer