Slip and Fall Injuries in Illinois

Property owners have a duty to maintain their property in a safe condition. Shoppers, visitors and people doing business expect that the property they enter is safe, and there are no hidden dangers. Unfortunately, property owners don’t always take their duties seriously, putting innocent people at risk of an accident or injury.

Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common personal injury accidents in Illinois. A trip or fall can also cause serious injury, even for what appears to be a minor accident. These accidents can include injuries to the neck, back and head, and can result in permanent damage.

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in Chicago, you deserve to have the person responsible pay for your damages.

Common Slip and Fall Accidents in Illinois

Slip and fall accidents and injuries can be caused by any number of dangerous conditions. It may involve an accident at a private home, business or government property. Examples of common slip and fall accidents in Illinois include:

– Torn carpet
– Wet floors
– Icy sidewalks
– Trip hazards
– Improper lighting
– Broken stair rails
– Broken concrete
– Damaged stairs
– Uneven surfaces

Who is Responsible for Slip and Fall Accidents in Illinois?

Many slip and fall accidents involve property liability. A property owner or resident may be responsible to others for any unsafe conditions on their property. This includes social guests, visitors, customers or those who are visiting the premises to conduct business. Under Illinois law, property owners have a duty of reasonable care towards entrants.

Generally, it’s the owner or occupier of the property who has a duty to keep the area safe and warn about any hidden dangers. This could include a tenant, landlord, property manager or homeowner. If the owner or occupier leaves the property in a dangerous condition that causes an accident or injury, the victim can file a claim against the owner or occupier for damages.

Property owners can also be responsible for the areas around a building, including sidewalks, parking lots and shared common areas.

Fall Accidents from Knockdowns

Not all slip and fall accidents are caused by dangerous conditions on the property. For example, many fall accidents are caused by dogs jumping up on children or the elderly. When a dog knocks a person over, the dog owner may be liable for the accident. Other knockdown accidents can involve cyclists, cars backing out, runners or drunk patrons.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Illinois?

There is a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim in Illinois. In most cases, the injury victim has two (2) years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can mean you are unable to recover damages for the accident.

Claims against the city, county or state may be subject to a shorter time limit to file a claim. Claims against the government can involve slip and fall accidents on public transportation, in city buildings or parks. For example, if you are injured on government property in the City of Chicago, you will generally have to file a notice of claim within one (1) year of the accident or your claim could be denied.

It can take time to investigate your case, identify all the potential defendants and file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim. Contact you Aurora and Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible to make sure your claim is filed in time.