Chicago Slip & Fall Attorneys
Property owners and businesses in Illinois are required to ensure that their properties are relatively safe for their invited guests. When victims slip and fall because of dangerous property conditions, our premises liability attorneys can help them recover compensation from the responsible parties.
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Let Our Premises Liability Lawyers Help You Get Back on Your Feet
At Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, our injury lawyers understand how dangerous property conditions can cause life-changing injuries, permanent disabilities, and even death. While some victims walk away from slip & fall accidents generally unscathed, others must endure months or even years of expensive surgeries, ongoing medical treatment, and physical therapy. In many cases, the pain that is caused by these types of accidents is excruciating and never subsides. Victims may find themselves unable to work and support their families, unable to enjoy the same activities they enjoyed prior to the accident, or even require vehicle and home modifications to enable them to live fairly normal lives.
Fortunately, our premises liability attorneys can introduce you to the legal remedies that are available to help you get back on your feet after a slip & fall accident.
- If your slip & fall accident happened while you were at work, you may be able to recover damages by filing a workers’ compensation claim.
- For non-workplace injuries, you may be able to file a premises liability claim, holding the property owner or manager liable for damages.
- If your slip & fall accident was caused by a defective piece of equipment, inadequate maintenance, faulty flooring, or a cleaning company’s negligence, you may be able to sue multiple parties to recover compensation.
Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents
Slip & fall accidents can happen in a variety of settings and for a wide range of reasons. Some of the most common causes of slips and falls that cause injuries involve:
- Inadequate lighting
- Missing or damaged handrails or guardrails
- Slippery floors
- Damaged floor coverings
- Uneven sidewalks and walkways
- Debris in walkways and stairways
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Although slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, there are some places where these incidents occur more frequently.
- Hotels
- Grocery Stores
- Restaurants
- Shopping Malls
- Construction Sites
- Nursing Homes
- Stairways
- Parking Lots
- Near Swimming Pools
The Anatomy of a Slip & Fall Accident Case
If you were injured in a slip, trip, or fall and you decide to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses, it is important to know what to expect as your case proceeds. When you hire our premises liability attorneys to handle your case, we will make sure you are kept informed every step of the way. Our lawyers will guide you as your case progresses through:
- The Investigation: One of the first things our legal team will do when we take on your case is conduct a full investigation of the incident. We will look at the various factors that may have played a role in your fall, all parties who may be responsible and the insurance coverages available. We will gather evidence that may include but is not limited to photographs of the scene and any unsafe conditions, eye witness statements, expert opinions, medical treatment records, and whether the property owner knew about, or should have reasonably known about the danger posed.
- The Claim: Once we have identified possible defendants, we will file injury claims against the property owner’s insurance and any third parties that may have contributed to your accident.
- Negotiation: Our injury lawyers will negotiate with the other side and the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that your best interests are represented.
- The Lawsuit: If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys will file an injury lawsuit in civil court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip & Fall Accidents in Chicago
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average cost of a slip & fall accident is over $30,000.
In Illinois, you have just 2 years from the date your accident occurred to file a slip & fall injury lawsuit. If you wait longer than 2 years to take legal action, you may not be able to recover damages.
For a slip & fall injury case to be successful, your accident lawyer must prove that:
- The property owner or other defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant was aware of, or should have been aware of the dangerous condition that caused your fall and failed to remedy the situation or warn you of the hazard in a timely manner.
- You suffered injuries
- The defendant’s negligent or reckless behavior caused your injuries