Chicago Slip-And-Fall Accident Lawyer
A slip-and-fall accident can profoundly change your life. You deserve skilled Illinois slip-and-fall lawyers who deeply understand this and will relentlessly pursue what you need to recover from your injuries. Our team at D&W Law Group is here for you.
Our Chicago-based law firm has been standing up for the rights everyday people since 1991. You can count on our knowledgeable attorneys for experienced advocacy, empathetic support and results-focused representation. If you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall accident in Cook County or anywhere in Illinois, let us fight for real justice for you.
Common Causes Of Slip-And-Falls
Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents can happen on all types of properties. Many different safety hazards that can lead to such falls. Common causes include:
- Food or drink spills in restaurants
- Wet grocery store aisles
- Wet or icy entrances
- Condensation on the floor from ice machines or refrigerator units
- Missing, maladjusted or uneven floor mats
- Cracked or broken sidewalks
- Broken elevators and escalators
- Missing handrails or unmarked steps
- Torn carpeting
- Merchandise on the floor or merchandise falling from shelves
- Exposed electrical wiring
Our slip-and-fall lawyers are ready to stand up for you when you have been hurt due to such hazards.
The Long-Term Effects Of Such Accidents
Slip-and-falls can have major impacts on your career, family and life. For example, such accidents can lead to:
- Brain trauma: This could weaken your memory and overall cognitive abilities.
- Spinal/back injuries: These could result in lasting pain or even paralysis.
- Fractures: Such injuries, which often come with long recovery times, can deeply impact your everyday routines.
- Deep cuts: They could cause permanent scarring, nerve damage and muscle damage.
Given how long the effects of such injuries can last, you want a legal team on your side that is committed to your future. Come to us for the dedicated, forward-looking support you need.
What Should You Do After A Slip-And-Fall?
After a slip-and-fall accident, you’ll want to get medical treatment promptly. Finding and addressing injuries quickly can be critical.
Early action can also be essential for preserving your legal rights if you think you may have a slip-and-fall case. Here are some steps you can take on this front:
- Report the injury: Notify the property owner and get their contact and insurance information
- Document the location of the accident: If possible, take pictures or videos of where the fall happened
- Document your injuries: Keep written/photo records of your injuries and the medical treatments you receive
- Reach out to skilled slip-and-fall lawyers: Having experienced advocates on your side can make a huge difference when it comes to understanding, protecting and pursuing your options for compensation
We can help you with every step of seeking justice after a slip-and-fall.
What Duty Do Property Owners Owe To Visitors?
Property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. They fail to live up to this duty when they don’t promptly address safety hazards they know of or should know of.
What Do You Need To Prove In A Slip-And-Fall Lawsuit?
To prevail in a premises liability lawsuit against a property owner, you generally need to show that:
- The property owner failed in their duty to maintain a reasonably safe property.
- This failure caused your accident.
- The accident caused you to suffer harm.
These are critical things to consider when determining whether you have a slip-and-fall case. Our team can investigate your accident, gather evidence of potential property owner liability and help you assess the strength of your case.
What Must Property Owners Do To Maintain Stairways?
Stairway maintenance is essential whenever dangerous conditions are present. A property owner can be considered negligent if they fail to make necessary repairs. Even if they claim they were unaware of the issue, they may still be liable if the hazard existed long enough that they should have discovered it through routine maintenance.
Examples of necessary stairway maintenance include:
● Fixing loose stair treads
● Replacing broken or missing treads
● Installing and maintaining proper lighting
● Securing handrails or banisters, and repairing or replacing them if they become damaged
● Ensuring staircases comply with regulations for slope, width and other safety standards
● Fixing loose rugs or carpeting, especially at the top of the stairs
● Clearing snow and ice on outdoor staircases
Neglecting stairway maintenance can lead to serious slip-and-fall accidents and severe injuries. These injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and much more. In some cases, the accident could even lead to a permanent disability that will affect the victim’s life forever, and they may have experienced significant pain and suffering.
Who Is Responsible For An Improperly Maintained Sidewalk In A Slip-And-Fall Lawsuit?
Typically, either the municipality or the property owner is responsible for maintaining a sidewalk. In some cases, property owners may own the sidewalks, such as in commercial properties where sidewalks connect multiple buildings. In other cases, such as in residential areas, the local municipality may be responsible for maintaining and updating sidewalks, as individual property owners do not own that section of land. Determining who is liable in your specific case is the first step in seeking compensation.
It is also important to note that when snow and ice removal is not handled properly, tenants or leaseholders may also bear responsibility. In a city like Chicago, where many residents are renters, the terms of a lease may dictate who is responsible for clearing sidewalks. Many landlords hire external companies for snow removal rather than placing the responsibility on tenants – but not all do.
This can create a complex situation where both parties may attempt to shift blame onto the other. That is when it is most beneficial to have experienced legal guidance as you explore your options. Our team is here to help when you need us most.
Can You Still Bring A Lawsuit If You Were Partially At Fault?
There are many ways a property owner may try to argue that you were, in part, responsible for your slip-and-fall accident. For example, they might claim that you:
- Weren’t paying attention to your surroundings
- Ignored warning signs
- Were somewhere you weren’t supposed to be
- Were running or engaging in horseplay
- Created the safety hazard that caused your accident
If you were partially responsible for an accident, will it bar you from getting any relief? It depends on how at fault you were.
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence system for personal injury claims. Under this system:
- If you were 50 percent or less responsible: You can still get a recovery, but the amount will generally be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- If you were more than 50 percent responsible: You are typically barred from receiving damages.
So, it can have very big impacts on your claim if a property owner makes arguments like those noted above. Our slip-and-fall lawyers can help you respond to such accusations in a way that aims to preserve your rights.
What Damages Can You Seek?
There are many ways a slip-and-fall can impact you financially. Thankfully, the law reflects this and makes it possible for victims to pursue a variety of damages. This includes:
- Compensation for past and future medical bills
- Compensation for past and future missed wages
- Compensation for pain and suffering (In Illinois, there is typically no cap on such damages)
Our team is here to advise and guide you on what avenues for compensation may be available to you, given the specifics of your case.
How Long Do You Have To Sue Over A Slip-And-Fall In Illinois?
Under Illinois’ statute of limitations for personal injury claims, you generally have up to two years after the injury to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit. We can help with all aspects of your slip-and-fall claim, including ensuring it complies with important rules such as the statute of limitations.
How Long Does A Slip-And-Fall Case Take?
Every slip-and-fall case is unique, and the timeline can vary significantly based on several factors. A straightforward case might resolve in six to 12 months, while more complex cases could take 18 to 24 months or longer to reach completion. Key factors include:
- The severity and complexity of your injuries can affect treatment duration and settlement negotiations.
- Whether liability is clearly established or disputed by the property owner.
- The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate fairly and promptly.
- The amount of evidence that needs to be gathered and analyzed.
- Whether your case settles through negotiation or needs to go to trial.
Our experienced legal team will work as efficiently as possible while never compromising on securing the compensation you deserve.
What Should You Bring To Your Initial Consultation?
The following materials may be helpful during the initial consultation and can help support your claim:
- Medical records and bills related to your injuries, including emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, physical therapy sessions, and any prescribed medications or medical equipment.
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene showing hazardous conditions, warning signs (or lack thereof) and the overall area where the incident occurred.
- Incident reports filed with the property owner, manager or staff, including any written statements you provided at the time of the accident.
- Contact information for witnesses who saw the fall or conditions that caused it, including their names, phone numbers and any statements they provided.
- Insurance correspondence you have received, including letters, emails or claim numbers from both your insurance provider and the property owner’s insurance.
- Pay stubs, timesheets or employer statements showing missed work and lost income due to your injuries and medical appointments.
- Documentation of any out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury, such as transportation costs to medical appointments or costs for hiring help with daily activities.
These materials enable us to provide an accurate assessment of your case and begin developing a strong legal strategy immediately.
How Are Legal Fees Handled?
We handle slip-and-fall cases on a contingency fee basis, which means:
- You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees.
- Our firm only receives payment if we successfully recover compensation for you.
- Payment is typically calculated as a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount.
- You can pursue justice without worrying about immediate legal expenses.
During your consultation, we’ll explain our fee structure in detail and answer any questions about the financial aspects of your case.
Get A Free Evaluation Of Your Slip-And-Fall Case
Don’t let a slip-and-fall accident keep you from the future you desire. Fight for the justice you need to move forward. Our experienced slip-and-fall lawyers are ready to help. Get a free consultation with us by calling 312-888-8888 and reaching out through email. We offer legal services in both English and Polish.