Several dangerous property hazards could cause someone to fall, including wet floors, cracked sidewalks, or poor lighting. If you slipped and fell on someone’s property because of dangerous conditions, you may be able to file a lawsuit for financial compensation. Landowners in Illinois are generally responsible for the safety of their guests and can be legally liable if their negligence or wrongdoing causes injury. The attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman can help you pursue financial compensation from liable parties for your medical bills, lost work income, and other injury-related losses.
Contact us today to speak to a slip and fall attorney in Chicago.
Below are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Illinois.
Falling injuries can happen virtually anywhere, including private residences, retail businesses, restaurants, construction sites, office buildings, parking lots, hospitals, and more. Regardless of the type of property, you may be able to hold the owner responsible for any losses you suffered.
Many people dismiss slip and falls as insignificant or only posing risks to seniors. The reality is that slip and fall injuries can affect anyone and can cause severe and permanent injuries. Common injuries from falls include:
Even from a minor height, a bad fall can cause permanent injuries, such as paralysis. Individuals in certain professions, such as construction, are also more likely to sustain falling injuries due to the nature of their work.
According to the Illinois Premises Liability Act, property owners must take reasonable care to remove hazards and make their properties safe for guests. If a landowner knows about a dangerous hazard, they must make a reasonable effort to remove it or post warnings to notify guests.
In the case of slip and fall injuries, the property owner can be liable if they knew about the hazard that caused the fall. For instance, imagine that a store employee mops the floor but doesn’t place a wet floor sign. Later, you slip on the wet floor and injure your arm. In this case, the store owner could be liable. The wet floor was a known hazard, and they failed to post a warning for visitors. The store owner’s negligence makes them liable for your injuries.
Natural Accumulation Rule and Slip and Falls in Illinois
Chicago and Illinois more broadly receive a substantial amount of snow during the winter, making falls from ice and snow a significant risk. However, the natural accumulation rule states that landowners are generally not liable for injuries due to natural accumulations of snow and ice. If a person falls because of heavy snowfall, for example, the property owner cannot be liable.
This liability shield only applies to natural accumulations, which is snow or ice that result from normal weather processes. It does not include accumulations from unnatural sources like plumbing leaks, improper drainage, or uneven walkway design. Additionally, the Snow and Ice Removal Act shields residential landowners from liability for injuries due to their efforts in removing ice or snow.
These two provisions can complicate claims involving falling injuries from ice and snow in Illinois. A personal injury attorney can determine whether liability exemptions apply and seek alternate paths for recovering financial compensation.
Depending on your circumstances, we can pursue compensation for the following types of losses:
The Attorneys at Levin, Riback & Adelman are available to answer any more questions you have about slip and fall accidents and lawsuits in Illinois.
If I Slipped in a Store, Should I Sue the Business or Commercial Landlord?
Anyone who owns or actively controls a property may be liable for slip and fall injuries. This includes commercial business tenants who rent space. In most commercial leases, the tenant accepts responsibility for regular maintenance duties. So, the commercial tenant would generally be liable for any slip and fall injuries due to negligent upkeep. However, the commercial landlord may also share liability, depending on their level of control over the property and the exact cause of the fall. You can talk to an attorney to clarify slip and fall liability issues concerning commercial tenants and landlords.
Levin, Riback & Adelman have recovered millions for our clients and bring nearly seven decades of legal experience to the table. We can represent you in your slip and fall injury claim and fight to recover what you are owed. You should not be left to shoulder the consequences of your injury alone, and we can provide assistance. Contact our offices today or reach out by phone for a free case consultation with a slip and fall accident attorney in Chicago.
