Chicago Premises Liability Lawyers
Chicagoland property owners are required under Illinois law to use reasonable care in the maintenance of their premises for the safety and security of people who come onto their property. If you are hurt because of a dangerous or unsafe condition on someone else’s property, whether due to a slip and fall, assault, dog bite or animal attack, the Chicagoland premises liability attorneys at D&W Law Group can help you hold that property owner accountable and see that you get the care and compensation you most need and deserve.
Slips and Falls on Unreasonably Dangerous Property
The Illinois Premises Liability Act requires property owners to use reasonable care in maintaining their premises for all persons lawfully on their property. The law no longer makes any distinction between invited guests and persons on the property to conduct business; the same standard applies to all. Depending upon the circumstances, this duty owed to the public may require property owners to make periodic inspections of their property and fix any known hazards, or warn the public that a danger exists.
The longer the time that a hazard exists without a warning or repair, the more likely it is that the owner did not exercise reasonable care. At D&W Law Group, our experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys use industry experts and gather evidence from eyewitnesses and security camera footage to aid in determining property owner liability in this complex area. We help slip and fall victims injured from innumerable causes, including:
- Food or drink spills in grocery stores or restaurants
- Wet or icy entrances
- Condensation from ice machines or refrigerator units
- Missing or maladjusted floor mats
- Cracked or broken sidewalks
- Broken elevators and escalators
- Missing handrails
- Unmarked steps
- Torn carpeting
- Merchandise on the floor
- Merchandise falling from shelves
- Exposed electrical wiring
Property Owners Liable for Negligent Security
The duty to maintain a safe premises includes taking reasonable, common sense security measures. These may include something as simple as maintaining adequate lighting in parking garages and stairwells, to requiring keyed and gated entry or providing security personnel. The level of security which is reasonable for a given property may depend upon the nature of the premises, its location and the presence of criminal activity in the area. Property owners can be held liable for assaults, robberies or other harm which was committed in part due to negligent security.
Pet Owners are Strictly Liable for Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
A dog bite or animal attack can be extremely serious; injuries can include facial scarring, broken bones, nerve damage, even death. Psychological injury is a common element to a vicious animal attack as well. Under Illinois law, an animal owner is strictly liable for bites or other injuries inflicted on a person. Strict liability means the injury victim does not have to prove that the owner was somehow negligent in keeping the dog, and it doesn’t matter if the owner had any reason to believe the animal might be vicious or attack a human. So long as the victim was lawfully on the premises where the attack occurred and did not provoke the attack, the owner can be held liable for the full extent of damages caused. We understand the serious nature of these injuries and work to get you the maximum in compensation that you will need.
Help is Available after a Slip and Fall or Other Injury on Dangerous Property in Chicago
If you or a loved one has been harmed in a slip and fall, negligent security assault, or dog bite, contact the experienced and successful Chicago premises liability lawyers at D&W Law Group by calling 312-888-8888. Your consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we recover for you.
