Premises Liability Attorneys

Have you been injured on someone else’s property due to an underlying dangerous condition? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.

Generally, premises liability law relates to regulations that hold property owners accountable when an accident and/or injury occurs on their premises. This can happen due to unsafe, defective, or dangerous conditions on the property.

Common premises liability cases include the following:

• Animal bites
• Dangerous property
• Negligence
• Inadequate security
• Inadequate maintenance
• Structural deficiencies
• Slip and fall accidents
• Retail store or restaurant liability
• Elevator and escalator accidents

The “property” in question may be residential or commercial, so whether you were bit by a neighbor’s dog or slipped and fell on a stone outside an office building, you may have a legitimate claim to file a lawsuit.

In most states, premises liability cases will depend on the status of the injured visitor, as in, whether he or she was invited to the property, was a welcome guest but entered the property on his or her own, or was trespassing on the premises. When a person invited another person onto their property, it is expected that the inviter will ensure safe conditions for the invitee(s). It is the owner’s duty to actively inspect the area for any hazards, and remove them accordingly. When a trespasser enters a property uninvited, the property owner can still be held responsible for any accidents that may occur, especially if the condition was created or maintained by the owner, unless he or she provides a proper hazard warning.

Those who have obtained injuries on someone else’s property may be unable to do the work they once did, resulting in loss of wages. Add to this the cost of medical procedures and treatments; the financial toll such injuries may take can be exponential. Some accidents may even result in death.

FAQs About Premises Liability in Chicago

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have compiled some helpful questions and answers below. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have as well.

What are the most common types of premises liability cases?

Although you may expect property owners to keep their property free from danger, this isn’t always the case. Our premises liability attorneys in Chicago often see lawsuits surrounding the following scenarios:

• Elevator accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Hotel accidents
• Collapsing porches
• Broken stair accidents

If you have questions about whether or not your incident could turn into a lawsuit, we provide free case consultations!

What should I do after the accident?

First and foremost, seek medical attention if you need it. If the pain is severe, seek assistance from a nearby emergency room. You may not experience immediate pain, but it could appear after a few days. Taking care of yourself is the most important step to take.

If you’re able, document as much as you can at the scene of the accident. Take photos and videos of the area in which you were injured and the surrounding areas. This will be important in helping prove your case. You can also report the incident to the property manager or whoever is on-site at the time. Ideally, you’ll receive a copy of the report from the manager, but they may not be willing to give you a copy.

From there, you’ll want to contact a Chicago slip and fall attorney to see if you should move forward with a case.

What are some common injuries sustained?

There is a wide range of injuries that may result from this type of accident. More severe injuries include traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, broken bones, or even death. On the more minor side, injuries include scratches, bruises, lesions, or torn ligaments.