Understanding Slip-and-Fall Claims in Illinois

 Posted on December 13, 2022 in Personal Injury

There are very few certainties in life aside from death and taxes, but slip-and-fall accidents are certainly among them. Therefore, being involved in a slip-and-fall accident may seem relatively insignificant. However, slip-and-fall cases may not be as cut and dry as they appear, depending on the details of your injury. 

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation if you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident. Firstly, consider consulting with an experienced slip-and-fall attorney who will work with you to ensure you understand your rights and that a favorable outcome is pursued in your case. 

Important Criteria for Slip-and-Fall Accidents

To have a valid slip-and-fall claim, your situation must meet specific criteria. The criteria are:

• You fell, either by slipping or tripping on the property of someone else
• The injuries sustained from your accident were severe enough to warrant medical treatment
• Your accident was precipitated by the failure of the property owner, or the person in control of the property, to act reasonably to remedy the unsafe condition that led to your accident

The gathering of facts and evidence is crucial in supporting a slip-and-fall claim. A knowledgeable slip-and-fall attorney investigates your case's particulars to determine if negligence was the cause of your accident. 

Locations Where Slip-and-Fall Accidents Often Occur

 People are eligible to file slip-and-fall claims on essentially any sort of property, including but not limited to: 

• Apartment buildings and complexes
• Healthcare centers like hospitals or health clinics
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Office buildings
• Recreation centers like a pool or theme park
• Carwash
• Hair salons 
• Stores
• Private properties 
• Government buildings
• Public buildings

 What is crucial in any slip-and-fall case is whether the property owner's carelessness caused your accident. This means they knew or should have known that unsafe conditions existed on their premises and failed to remedy the hazardous situation promptly. 

Examples of Unsafe Conditions That May Lead to a Slip-and-Fall

Unsafe conditions may include the following: 

• Loose hoses, cords, or other objects that may create a tripping hazard
• Damaged or missing guardrails on stairs 
• Failing to designate unsafe areas, like the area around a construction site 
• Flooring that is damaged or uneven 

It is important to note that the legal standard is "reasonable" and not "perfect." For instance, in Illinois, property owners cannot be held liable for ordinary snow and ice accumulations or deficiencies in their elimination.  

Call Us Today to Speak with a Joliet Slip-and-Fall Attorney 

If you sustained a slip-and-fall injury and believe the negligence of another may be responsible, contact the knowledgeable Will County slip-and-fall lawyers with McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC. Pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. Call 815-727-0100 today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57