Was Negligence a Factor in Your Slip and Fall Accident?

 Posted on September 21, 2021 in Personal Injury

Whether you are walking through a mall, a doctor’s office, or your place of work, no one expects to slip and fall, nor is anyone prepared for the consequences of this type of accident. If you have sustained severe injuries due to an accident you suffered on someone else’s property, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can help determine what compensation you may be entitled to and hold the responsible parties accountable.

What Causes a Slip and Fall Accident?

There are numerous factors that can lead to employees and patrons suffering a slip and fall on a business’s property, including the property manager’s negligence in properly maintaining walkways, roads, floors, and parking lots. Property owners and managers also need to be mindful of areas such as stairs, escalators, and elevators. When property owners or managers fail to adequately monitor these areas for cleanliness and safety, they may be unaware of slick surfaces or obstructed walkways.

Most often, these accidents involve surfaces that are slippery with water or ice. In places like Illinois that experience colder temperatures throughout the year, ice and snow are common factors in slip and fall accidents. When property owners and managers are aware of these risks, they can sufficiently warn building patrons of these dangers.

Who is Responsible for Accident Injuries?

Property owners have a responsibility to adequately maintain their property and take the necessary precautions to ensure that visitors are able to frequent the location safely. This includes clearing the building’s walkways, stairwells, and doorways of any hazards such as:

• Slick substances

• Ice

• Snow

• Water

• Obstructions

• Debris

When property owners or managers know or should know of such hazards and fail to properly address them, they may be deemed negligent according to the principle of premises liability. Parties who own or manage the property are generally responsible for preventing dangers that could result in slip and fall accidents. In instances that the responsible party acted negligently, they may be held accountable for a victim’s injury damages.

In order for a victim to prove that their injuries were a result of negligence, an attorney and their investigators may need to provide the court with witnesses, property maintenance records, and photographic evidence of the site of the fall. These sources can help to prove the cause of the victim’s injuries.

Contact Our Joliet Personal Injury Attorneys

Slip and fall accidents can result in severe injuries for business patrons and employees. If the negligence of a property owner or manager led to a slip and fall accident that resulted in harm to you or a loved one, an experienced Will County personal injury lawyer can build a strong case to help you recover damages for your injuries. Contact McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC to find out how we can help you and schedule your free consultation by calling 815-727-0100.

Source:

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