Illinois expects property owners to maintain their properties so they’re free of risk. Failing to maintain a residential or commercial property could lead to injury and, in extreme cases, even wrongful death. Slippery floors, faulty flooring, or improper fall prevention can cause significant injuries.
When a property owner is negligent, slip-and-fall victims deserve compensation. The slip-and-fall lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers work hard to help victims collect the money they need for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Let our slip and fall attorneys investigate your case, determine liability, and get you the compensation you need to recover. Call us today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.
Can You File a Claim for a Slip and Fall Accident?
You can file a slip and fall accident claim under a premises liability or personal injury lawsuit. Illinois law covers slip and fall injuries under the Premises Liability Act. Essentially, the law requires every Illinois property owner to maintain their properties so they’re in a safe condition that prevents guests from suffering injury.
If a property owner fails to follow the minimum standard of care, they can be held liable for any associated damages. A Champaign personal injury attorney can help you build your case for full and fair compensation.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Champaign
Fall accidents account for approximately eight million emergency room visits nationwide or about 21.3% of Champaign-Urbana-area visits. [1] Slip and fall accidents can occur from a wide range of causes. Some of the most common injury cases involving a slip and fall accident include the following causes:
- Slippery floors
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate security
- Safety violations
- Loose floorboards or carpets
- Foundation potholes or cracks
- Uneven floors or sidewalks
- Exposed wiring or cords
- Inclement weather
- Poorly maintained construction equipment
Slip-and-fall accidents can occur on residential and commercial properties, and sometimes, they may even happen at a job site. The Champaign-Urbana Urban Area Safety Plan aims to reduce the number of residents injured on public property. So far, the program has worked, resulting in fewer A-type injuries in the last 10 years.
Our Champaign construction accident lawyers can help navigate your personal injury claim if you were injured in a slip and fall accident while at work. Job site visitors could also suffer injuries when the proper safety protocols aren’t used in a public building environment.
Injuries Typical in Slip and Fall Incidents
Many slipping and falling incidents lead to serious injuries. These injuries create a wide range of short- and long-term life changes. Here are some of the most common personal injuries our clients are left with after a slip and fall accident.
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back strains and fractures:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chronic pain
- Cuts and lacerations
- Sprained ankles or wrists
Extreme injuries following a slip and fall accident can also lead to unintentional death. While working with Champaign wrongful death lawyers can’t bring your loved one back; a wrongful death lawsuit can help you recover the funds you need for expenses like past medical bills, funeral and burial costs, and ongoing financial support.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury in Champaign
The steps you take after a slip and fall case are crucial to protecting your general well-being and ability to recover compensation. Protect your personal injury case with the following steps.
Who Is Liable for Damages in Champaign Slip and Fall Claims?
Establishing liability is important in a slip and fall case. Who owns and manages the property, as well as what caused the injury, are both important elements to consider when identifying liability.
If you suffer injuries while visiting another person’s property, that person could be held liable. Initially, you might seek funds through their insurance company, but sometimes, liability lawsuits are needed to receive adequate compensation. A slip and fall lawyer can also help you communicate with the insurance company to ensure fair and fast payment.
If you slip and fall and are injured while visiting a commercial property, the business owner or property manager may be to blame. In some cases, the maintenance company or contracting crew could be liable if your severe injuries are due to improper cleaning or installation of materials.
Although less common, the flooring manufacturer could also be to blame in a slip and fall case. If the property owner unintentionally used defective flooring, it could be argued the floor manufacturer is liable.
It’s not always easy to identify who’s liable when a slip and fall accident occurs. In many cases, you may need further investigation into the situation to determine who’s responsible. Slip and fall attorneys can collect additional evidence to determine what happened.
Types of Damages You Can Claim in Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Illinois law allows injured slip and fall victims to recover financial compensation. Compensation is available for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include objective, easy-to-prove costs, like medical bills, property damages, or loss of income. It may also include rehabilitative costs, temporary childcare, transportation, and necessary household renovations to accommodate a disability.
Non-economic damages are the subjective costs involved in a slip and fall accident that aren’t as easy to prove. This might include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and a loss of enjoyment of life.
Non-economic damages should be included in your fair compensation offer but can be more difficult to calculate. This is where your injury law firm may turn to expert witnesses to understand your situation better.
Comparative Negligence in Champaign Slip and Fall Accidents
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence standard, which means an injured victim has a right to seek compensation, even if they are partially at fault. As long as you are less than 50% at fault for the slip and fall accident, you have a legal right to collect compensation.
Multiple parties could be to blame when a slip and fall accident occurs. For example, you visit a public property but venture over to an area where visitors aren’t typically allowed to visit. While the property owner attempted to block off this area, the signs were limited and not easily visible.
A lawyer may argue that the victim wouldn’t have suffered an injury if they didn’t enter the non-public area. However, the property owner is still responsible for maintaining a safe property.
Legal representation can be invaluable when navigating Illinois’ modified comparative negligence laws. The defendant’s legal team will usually attempt to place as much blame as possible on the victim to avoid payment, even when the property owner is primarily at fault. You need expert slip and fall legal services to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does a Champaign Slip and Fall Lawyer Cost?
Many Illinois slip and fall attorneys work on a contingency fee, which means you don’t pay anything unless they win your case. This means you can explore your legal options with no financial risk. A free initial consultation also allows you to explore your legal representation options without payment.
Contact an Experienced Attorney for Your Slip and Fall Accident Case!
Our slip and fall lawyers have years of experience navigating the legal system in central Illinois, helping victims recover funds after someone else’s negligence leads to injury. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have worked with many different personal injury cases, bringing you a wide range of experience and expert-level legal knowledge.
Our slip and fall attorneys can help you navigate workplace injuries, private property lawsuits, or commercial business claims. We have recovered millions for our clients, and we’re in business to help injured victims move on following an injury from someone’s negligence. Call our legal team today at (888) 424-5757 or use our online form.
Resources: [1] NFSI,