Chicago Premises Liability Attorneys
Falls may be for laughs on TV and in the movies, but they are anything but funny in real life. According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental death globally, taking the lives of an estimated 646 000 people around the world every year.
If you were hurt in a trip and fall, slip and fall, or other injury-causing incident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation from the property owner or other person responsible for keeping the premises safe. But holding property owners accountable in premises liability cases can be complicated. If you want to recover damages for your injuries, you need an experienced premises liability lawyer. Chicagoland slip and fall injury victims can turn to Hammond Law, LLC to get them the resources and compensation they deserve
What is Premises Liability?
Certainly, not every slip or trip and fall is someone else’s fault. All of us have lost our balance or footing at some point in our lives because we were distracted, inattentive to our surroundings, or just plain clumsy. But many such accidents are the direct result of property owners or others who fail to keep their land or building in a safe condition. When a homeowner or business owner allows known hazards to remain unaddressed or fails to warn others about potential dangers, such acts and omissions can be the basis of a premises liability claim if they result in injuries and damages.
Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, a property owner or operator owes visitors a duty of “reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.”
This law applies to almost any type of property that people visit with the permission of or by invitation of the owner. This includes:
- Office buildings
- Private homes
- Stores and Retail businesses
- Apartment buildings
- Restaurants
Falls Are Not the Only Basis For Premises Liability Claims
While falls are the most common injuries that form the basis for premises liability lawsuits, claims for compensation from property owners can also be based on injuries from:
- Falling objects
- Porch or stair collapses
- Fires and explosions
- Elevator or escalator defects
- Dog bites or attacks
- Toxic substances
- Criminal activity because of inadequate security
Common Causes of Falls
Here in Chicago, accumulated and uncleared ice and snow cause plenty of falls every winter. But plenty of other conditions can cause injuries and lead to premises liability lawsuits, including:
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks or pavement
- Damaged stairs or railings
- Poor or inadequate lighting
- Uncleaned spills or spills cleaned up without sufficiently marking the area as being wet;
Falls Are Not the Only Basis For Premises Liability Claims
While falls are the most common injuries that form the basis for premises liability lawsuits, claims for compensation from property owners can also be based on injuries from:
- Falling objects
- Porch or stair collapses
- Fires and explosions
- Elevator or escalator defects
- Dog bites or attacks
- Toxic substances
- Criminal activity because of inadequate security
Recovering Compensation for Your Premises Liability Injury
Hammond Law has the experience you need to bring a successful premises liability claim. The property owner’s insurance company is not your friend, and you cannot count on them to treat you fairly if you try to negotiate directly. Contact us instead – we’ll look out for your best interests and obtain the best possible outcome. The initial consultation is free, and we don’t collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you.