Richard Webster has a unique background. At the time of his fire injury in 1992, he had just received his master's degree in rehabilitation counseling — a vocation that requires that you have knowledge of burn injuries, including not only the physical aspects, but the psychological aspects as well.
An Advocate for Burn Victims Everywhere
As Rich Webster fought to recover in the years following his accident, the idea formed to become an advocate for burn victims. He knew that if he was to be helpful, to get into the fight, he needed a law degree. So he got one. Since then, he has involved himself in burn prevention activities.
He recently spoke with Iowa Public Radio on a panel with the state fire marshal and, before that, to a crowd of thousands at the Iowa State Fair regarding burn prevention and burn safety drills. Rich joined the University of Iowa Burn Center and the Iowa State Fire Marshal in breaking the world record for a fire safety drill during the Stop, Drop and Roll Event in 2011.
LINK to NPR show.
A True Burn Lawyer
So Rich Webster became a combination of rehabilitation consultant and attorney devoted to burn injuries.
"My background in rehabilitation has been a blessing in my work," Rich Webster says. "I work closely with physicians, psychologists, vocational trainers and other professionals to understand fully the impact of the burns on our client's life and family. I had both a personal and professional perspective on burn injuries prior to becoming a lawyer."
Attorney at Law and More
When you are burned in a fire, your world is forever changed. Every aspect of your life is affected, inside and outside. Most victims don't have the physical ability to talk to an attorney right away, and pursuing legal action doesn't seem like a top priority. Even family members are consumed with what is going on at the hospital. But someone should act to preserve the burn victim's rights as soon as possible. Call a lawyer right away.
"But then we meet, and even if we don't decide to work together, something powerful happens," says Rich. "I connect on a very personal level with people who have been burned. My presence alone is evidence of survival and encouraging to burn patients. They look at me, married again after the burn with a beautiful family, still publicly playing the piano and guitar and living life to the fullest — I'm alive, and that thought gives hope to people in such suffering. They know that I know what they are going through."
In Search of Recovery and Justice
We believe that obtaining compensation really should be a priority for burn victims. The legal process gives them a voice and a mechanism to confront the cause of their injury. Justice is a part of that recovery. We have recovered millions for our clients through zealous representation.
Recently, Rich settled a case against one of the largest fireworks operators in the United States regarding a fireworks display that failed due to inadequate set-up and distances. The finale began, then something exploded in one of the tubes sending fireworks spraying into the crowd.
Recovery is what Illinois burn attorney Rich Webster's practice is all about. Call or e-mail him to discuss your injuries. Let him assist you in your recovery.
