Do I Have a Valid Slip and Fall Injury Claim?
If you or a loved one were recently injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, you may wonder what legal remedies you have at your disposal. A slip and fall injury claim may help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and other damages. However, a successful personal injury claim is only possible if certain elements are present. To know whether or not you have a valid injury claim and may be entitled to compensation, you must consider the circumstances of the accident, and whether a party’s negligence contributed to the fall accident.
Property Owners Have a Legal Obligation to Maintain a Safe Premises
According to Illinois premises liability laws, property owners or occupiers must keep their properties reasonably safe for individuals who are lawfully visiting the property. This responsibility extends to the owners of properties such as:
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Parking lots
- Bars and nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Apartment buildings
- Residential properties
Property owners who allow an unsafe condition to exist on the property and do not warn people about the hazardous condition may be liable for any injuries caused by the unsafe condition. The property owner or occupier may be required to compensate the injured person for his or her damages.
Environmental Hazards That Often Lead to Fall Accidents
There are many different types of dangers that can lead to slip and fall accidents including:
- Loose carpeting or rugs
- Slippery or wet floors
- Dusty floors
- Uneven concrete
- Snowy or icy walkways
- Clutter in hallways
- Electrical cords or cables across walkways
- Loose or broken floor tiles
- Inadequate lighting
If a property owner knew or should have known about a hazard and did not take steps to prevent people from being injured on the hazard, the injured person may have cause for a legal action. If you were injured by a hazard, you may be entitled to compensation for ambulance transportation, hospital bills, doctor’s visits, your lost income from missed work, and other expenses resulting from your injuries. You may also be entitled to compensation for non-financial damages such as your pain and suffering.
Contact a Rockford Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or a loved slipped and fell or tripped and fell on someone else’s property, you may have a slip and fall injury case. Contact a Winnebago County premises liability lawyer from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, to discuss filing a claim and seeking compensation. Call our office for a free, no-obligation consultation at 815-215-7561.
Source:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048