Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer
When you’re injured in an unexpected slip and fall accident in Chicago, you may feel tempted to leave the scene immediately out of embarrassment. However, slips and falls can cause serious injuries that lead to mounting medical bills, lost time from work, significant pain and suffering, and other losses.
Chicago property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe and free from hazards. If they fail to do so and you are injured on the property, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses through a premises liability claim.
The Chicago slip and fall lawyers at The Illinois Hammer Injury Attorneys can aggressively pursue insurance companies on your behalf and win you the recovery you deserve.
Contact us online or call 888-742-6637 today for a free case consultation.
Why Should You Trust Our Chicago Slip and Fall Attorneys?
Our firm has ruthlessly fought insurance companies for over 30 years, achieving a 97 percent success rate in personal injury cases. We’re committed to giving our clients a fighting chance against big companies that will do anything to avoid paying up.
Our trusted Chicago slip and fall lawyers provide comprehensive care to our clients and handle every step of the legal process, aiming to remove as many of their worries as possible. We can help you find a doctor or secure a loan to help with emergency medical expenses.
We don’t get paid unless you do. We charge no upfront fees and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.
We’ve won over $500 million for our clients in verdicts and settlements, including multiple six-and seven-figure recoveries for premises liability claims. These include the following results:
- $1.5 million settlement for a slip and fall accident involving snow and ice
- $775,000 for a suit involving water left on the ground
- $350,000 for an accident at a major grocery store
But you don’t have to take our word for it. We have received more five-star reviews than any other injury law firm in Illinois. Our clients frequently highlight our representation in their reviews and testimonials, like the one below:
“Very friendly and helpful! They never gave up on the case, even when we hit some snags. They kept fighting for me. They always made the time to answer any and all my questions that came up throughout the process. They were always very quick to respond to email and phone messages and were very friendly and helpful. ”
– L.B.
What Compensation Can I Receive From a Slip and Fall Accident?
Injury victims may be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages resulting from the accident. Economic damages compensate for quantifiable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages or earning potential, therapy costs, and other monetary losses. Non-economic damages cover the more subjective harms like emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of activities, and more.
If the responsible party’s conduct was intentional or willful and wanton, you may also be entitled to an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish particularly bad behavior and deter such wrongdoing in the future.
You can also make a workers’ compensation claim if your slip and fall accident happened at your workplace, which could help cover medical expenses and offset wages you’ve lost out on while recovering.
Who’s Liable In a Slip and Fall Accident in Chicago?
Slip and fall cases fall under the umbrella of premises liability, which means blame for the accident and any resulting injuries ultimately falls on whoever is responsible for the property where it took place. Potentially liable parties include the following:
- The property’s owner, whether it’s a residential or commercial building, is responsible for properly maintaining their premises in a reasonably safe condition. They may be liable for unsafe conditions they knew or should have known about.
- The property’s manager or maintenance company may also be liable. Failing to leave adequate signage around a wet floor can get a maintenance company—and whoever oversaw them—in hot water.
- A tenant or other party in possession of the premises may be liable if they are personally responsible for creating the conditions that led to the accident. For instance, retail establishments, restaurants, and other businesses often rent the premises they occupy and are responsible for hazardous conditions on the properties.
- A government entity may also be responsible if an accident occurs on public property under its control. For example, a government agency may be responsible when an unleveled sidewalk or other faulty public infrastructure causes injury.
- Another third party that creates or allows unsafe conditions at the property might also be liable.
Some common hazardous conditions that cause slip and fall accidents in Chicago include the following:
- Snowy and icy walkways
- Wet or slippery floors
- Poorly maintained entrances and exits
- Loose carpet or rugs
- Uneven and damaged flooring
- Poor lighting
- Broken stairs and railings
- Tripping hazards, such as power cords, debris, and clutter
- Uneven or unstable flooring
- Potholes and cracked pavement
What Should I Expect From the Slip and Fall Claim Process in Chicago?
When you suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident in Chicago, it’s critical to speak with an experienced Chicago slip and fall attorney. They can evaluate your claim and chart the best course through the legal process. Your lawyer will handle the next steps, which typically involve the following:
- Investigating and gathering evidence – Your attorney will determine the cause of your accident, identify the liable parties, and gather evidence such as medical bills, photos and videos, witness statements, and other documentation to support your case.
- Filing your claim – Your attorney will prepare and file all the necessary paperwork.
- Negotiating with the liable party and their insurer – Your lawyer will aim to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for your injuries.
- Litigating the case – If the opposition fails to offer a settlement that fully compensates you for all your losses, your attorney will file a lawsuit and take the case to trial if necessary. However, they will continue negotiating for a settlement until the jury returns a verdict.
If your lawyer can secure a settlement or win a verdict in your favor, you can then collect compensation for your injuries.
Getting immediate medical attention and documenting evidence in the aftermath of your accident is crucial to proving a slip and fall claim. However, you still may be able to build a viable case even if time has passed and you’ve gathered little to no evidence. A Chicago slip and fall lawyer at The Illinois Hammer Injury Attorneys can help you explore other ways to establish your claims and determine if your case is strong enough to pursue.
“I had the pleasure of working with Yosef Arviv, and I cannot recommend their services highly enough. From my initial consultation through to the resolution of my case, Yosef demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise, and dedication. They took the time to understand my situation thoroughly and provided clear, strategic advice every step of the way. Their communication was prompt and transparent, and they handled every aspect of the case with precision and care. Thanks to Yosef, I felt well-supported and confident throughout the process. If you’re in need of a skilled and compassionate attorney, choose this law firm.”
– J.Y.
Chicago Slip and Fall Accidents - Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Chicago?
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits that begins to run on the accident date.
However, there are some exceptions. For instance, if your injuries weren’t immediately discoverable, the deadline may be extended to two years from when you discover them. The statute of limitations also contains exceptions for minors and those who are temporarily disabled. In those cases, the two-year limit doesn’t begin until the victim turns 18 or recovers enough for their legal disability status to be lifted.
However, no matter the deadline, you shouldn’t wait to consult a knowledgeable slip and fall attorney. Evidence disappears quickly, and memories fade. The earlier you engage an attorney, the sooner they can get to work and build a strong case.
How Long Will a Chicago Slip and Fall Claim Take?
Every personal injury case is unique and has its own complications. Depending on how complex your situation is, a slip and fall case can take anywhere from a few months to a year or longer to resolve.
Our knowledgeable Chicago slip and fall lawyers will communicate with you constantly throughout the legal process, keeping you fully informed on the status of your case and how long they expect it to take.
Can I Sue My Employer For a Slip and Fall Accident in Chicago?
If you’re injured in a slip and fall accident at work, you might be eligible to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation covers your medical bills and compensates you for part of your lost wages without needing to prove any negligence by your employer.
Illinois workers’ compensation law typically does not allow workers to sue their employers for workplace injuries. However, if you can prove negligence by someone other than your employer, you might be able to sue a third party for damages like pain and suffering that fall outside of workers’ compensation.
Chicago employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, but if they don’t, they may be subject to fines and be held liable for their employees’ personal injury claims.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Slip and Fall Claim?
The vast majority of our cases are settled before trial, but we will go to court if necessary to get the insurance company to pay you what you deserve.
If your slip and fall case goes to trial, our attorneys will ensure you are thoroughly prepared for any court appearances. We’ll handle every other aspect of the litigation and fight hard to win you the largest verdict possible.
Can I Still Sue If I Was Partially at Fault for My Slip and Fall Accident?
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence standard for determining liability. Injury victims can only recover damages if they are not more than 50 percent at fault for an accident. Any awards will be reduced in proportion to the victim’s share of blame.
For example, if you sustain $100,000 in damages from an accident and are determined to be 30 percent at fault for the accident, you can only recover $70,000.
Discussing your claim with an experienced Chicago slip and fall lawyer can help you determine what degree of fault you share for your accident and evaluate the viability of your case.
Start Your Path to Justice with a FREE Case Consultation
If you want big results, you’re going to need a big hammer. We’ll relentlessly hound the insurance companies until we win you the compensation you deserve, and we won’t get paid unless you do.
Call The Illinois Hammer Injury Attorneys today at 888-742-6637 for a free consultation.
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134 North LaSalle Street
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Chicago, IL 60602
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