At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we understand how a single misstep on someone else’s property can lead to life-changing injuries. That’s why having a Chicago slip and fall injury attorney on your side from the start is so important.
Whether you fell on a slick grocery store floor or tripped on a broken sidewalk in downtown Chicago, a serious injury can leave you facing steep medical bills and lost income. We fight for accident victims across the city to recover compensation and hold negligent parties accountable. Book a free consultation today!
At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, our legal team has extensive experience representing injured victims in fall accident cases throughout Chicago.
$4,000,000 – Fatal fall during hospital stay
Frank died from a subdural hematoma after falling in his hospital room post-hip surgery. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, citing the hospital’s failure to follow fall prevention protocols. The $4 million settlement reflected both the facility’s negligence and the impact on Frank’s surviving spouse and children.
$1,200,000 – Arm fracture at major retail store
Patricia slipped on spilled food at a Chicago retail store and broke her arm in multiple places. Video evidence showed staff ignored the hazard. The $1.2 million settlement covered medical costs, lost wages, and ongoing therapy for permanent limitations resulting from the store’s failure to address the known risk.
$835,100 – Stairwell fall in apartment building
Angela fell down an unsafe stairwell in her West Side apartment building, suffering back and knee injuries. The landlord had ignored repeated complaints about the stairs. Her $835,100 settlement reflected the extent of her injuries and the property owner’s apparent failure to maintain safe common areas.
At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we’re proud to be recognized among the top-rated personal injury law firms in Chicago, with a long history of success in securing compensation for injured clients. Our experienced injury attorneys have recovered millions for victims hurt in fall accidents at stores, apartment buildings, hospitals, and other properties.
With honors from Super Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we bring skill, local knowledge, and a commitment to results. When you need the best slip and fall lawyer fighting for your recovery, we’re ready to take on your case.
Slip and fall accidents in Chicago often happen due to hazards that property owners fail to fix or warn about. Common causes include wet or slippery floors, uneven sidewalks, broken staircases, poor lighting, and loose mats or rugs.
In stores and restaurants, spilled liquids and cluttered walkways are frequent culprits. Icy entryways and snow-covered sidewalks are also leading causes of falls in winter. When a property owner owed a duty of care and failed to address known hazards, they may be held liable for any slip and fall injury that occurs as a result.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts to life-altering trauma.
Some of the most common include fractures, especially hip fractures, broken arms, or a fractured tailbone—injuries often seen in older adults or those who fall on hard surfaces. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, may occur if the head strikes the ground or another object, leading to dizziness, chronic pain, or even paralysis in severe cases.
Spinal cord injuries can result from falls on stairs or uneven surfaces, while dislocated shoulders, knee injuries, neck injuries, and foot injuries are also frequently reported. Soft tissue damage, such as sprained ankles, strained muscles, and nerve damage, may seem minor at first but often leads to ongoing discomfort or restricted mobility.
Cuts, lacerations, bruises, and joint dislocations are also common, particularly in falls involving broken glass, sharp edges, or hard landings. In the most tragic cases, a slip and fall incident can result in death. No matter the injury, it’s important for injured victims to seek prompt medical treatment and legal counsel to pursue compensation for their pain and losses.
Victims of a slip and fall accident in Chicago may be entitled to recover several types of damages through a personal injury claim. Economic damages typically include reimbursement for past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages due to time away from work.
Non-economic damages cover the impact of chronic pain, emotional distress, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. In rare cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages may also be awarded. Every fall case is different, and the amount you can recover depends on the extent of your injuries, liability, and available insurance coverage.
Based on data from Law.com, the average settlement or verdict after a slip and fall in Chicago is $417,194, while the median award is $181,250. These figures reflect outcomes across a wide range of fall accident cases, from minor injuries to catastrophic harm.
Slip and fall settlement values can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:
Working with an experienced Chicago slip and fall lawyer can help you build a strong case and pursue a fair settlement based on the unique circumstances of your claim.
Slip and fall cases may seem straightforward, but proving negligence in Chicago can be difficult without skilled legal representation. Property owners and insurance companies often deny responsibility or argue that the victim was at fault. Successfully bringing a slip and fall claim means gathering evidence quickly, securing witness statements, and proving the property owner had a duty of care.
Claims filed in Cook County Circuit Court are subject to strict procedural rules and deadlines. An experienced attorney familiar with fall accident cases can handle every step, protecting your rights and fighting for compensation.
Slip and fall accidents remain a serious safety issue across Chicago job sites and workplaces. OSHA reports from the Chicago North and South Area Offices show seven incidents since 2020 involving severe injuries, three of which resulted in fatalities.
Workers have suffered fractured limbs, head injuries, and broken bones from falls on ice, ladders, and vehicles. In some cases, these accidents were deadly—one employee drowned after falling into a river, another was impaled on a fence post, and a third died while removing decorations.
Per a 2023 report by the BLS, a total of 25 slips, trips, and falls accounted for 17% of workplace fatalities in Illinois.
Slip and fall accidents happen all over Chicago, but some locations are more prone to hazards than others.
Many incidents occur in grocery stores, big box retailers, and restaurants—places like Jewel-Osco, Walmart, or Target—where spills or wet floors often go unaddressed. Apartment buildings and condo complexes on the North Side or in areas like Hyde Park frequently see falls due to broken staircases, icy entryways, or poor lighting.
Falls are also common on public sidewalks, especially near CTA stations or intersections with heavy foot traffic, like State and Madison or Michigan Avenue. Winter weather increases the risk on business entryways that fail to remove ice or snow.
Workplace falls are another risk, especially at Chicago-area hospitals, schools, and warehouses. Whether the fall happens on private property, at a commercial business, or in a public space, an experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation from the responsible party.
Premises liability claims in Chicago are governed by Illinois state law and local ordinances that hold property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130), property owners and occupiers must exercise reasonable care to prevent injuries to people lawfully on their premises.
City-specific duties are also outlined in the Municipal Code of Chicago, under Title 10, which governs sidewalk and property maintenance.
A key case that shaped Illinois slip and fall law is Reed v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 298 Ill. App. 3d 712 (1998), where the court held that businesses may be liable for injuries caused by conditions they knew—or should have known—existed.
In most Chicago slip and fall injury cases, you have two years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury claim. This deadline is set by the Illinois statute of limitations under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. If your fall occurred on government property—such as a city sidewalk or CTA station—notice requirements and deadlines may be much shorter.
Legal liability for slips and falls in Chicago depends on who controlled the property where the fall occurred. Potentially liable parties include:
Each case depends on proving that the responsible party knew—or should have known—about the danger and failed to fix it. A slip and fall lawyer can help identify all liable parties and pursue compensation.
To succeed in a Chicago slip and fall accident case, your attorney must prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
The property owner must have owed a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe. A breach occurs when they fail to correct or warn of a hazard, such as leaving a wet floor unmarked. Causation links the hazard to your fall, and damages refer to the injuries and financial losses you suffered.
Courts consider whether the owner acted reasonably under the circumstances. For example, if a grocery store failed to clean up a spill for hours, that may be regarded as unreasonable negligence.
Property owners and insurance companies often raise several defenses in slip and fall cases. One common argument is comparative fault, claiming the victim wasn’t paying attention or wore inappropriate footwear. We counter this by showing the hazard was not clearly marked or that the condition posed an unreasonable risk regardless of the victim’s behavior.
Another defense is a lack of notice, where the defendant claims they didn’t know about the dangerous condition. We respond with surveillance footage, maintenance logs, or witness testimony showing they had actual or constructive notice.
They may also argue the hazard was open and obvious, meaning any reasonable person should have seen and avoided it. In response, we highlight how lighting, distractions, or the hazard’s location made it hard to detect.
We anticipate these tactics and build strong evidence to prove negligence, helping injured victims recover compensation after a fall.
The steps you take immediately after a slip and fall incident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. First, seek medical attention right away—even if your injuries seem minor. Prompt treatment not only protects your health but also documents the connection between the fall and your injuries, which is critical for any future fall injury lawsuit.
If you’re able, report the incident to the property owner, store manager, or building supervisor, and make sure the fall is documented in writing. Ask for a copy of the report. Then, gather evidence: take clear photos of the hazard, your injuries, and anything else relevant to the scene. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the fall or the dangerous condition.
Avoid speaking with the insurance adjuster or giving recorded statements before consulting a fall lawyer. These companies often look for ways to minimize payouts or shift blame.
Finally, contact an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will preserve evidence, investigate the fall, and build a strong case to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and physical pain.
An experienced Chicago slip and fall lawyer provides critical support throughout your case. From the beginning, we investigate the scene, gather evidence, and secure surveillance footage or witness statements. We handle all communication with the insurer and fight back against lowball settlement offers.
We also calculate the full extent of your damages—including past and future medical bills, lost wages—and build a strong claim to pursue fair compensation. If a settlement isn’t reached, our slip and fall lawyers are prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in court.
Most Chicago slip and fall attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. The lawyer only gets paid if they win your case, usually collecting a percentage of the settlement or verdict. This makes legal representation accessible to injured victims without financial risk.
Anyone injured due to a slip and fall due to someone else’s negligence—whether at a business, apartment, or public place—can file a claim. This includes tenants, shoppers, employees, and guests. You must prove the owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition that caused your injury.
Winning a slip and fall accident case can be challenging without strong evidence. Owners and insurers often deny fault or blame the victim. Success depends on proving liability, documenting injuries, and showing the hazard existed long enough to be corrected. A skilled fall lawyer increases your chances significantly.
Key evidence includes photos of the hazard, incident reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical records. You’ll also need to show the property owner knew—or should have known—about the dangerous condition. Your attorney will help gather and preserve the evidence required to build your claim.
If you were injured in a slip and fall at work, you may qualify for workers’ compensation. However, if a third party (like a contractor or property manager) contributed to the hazard, you may also have grounds for a personal injury claim. An experienced injury lawyer can review your options.
Yes, if your landlord failed to maintain safe conditions in common areas or didn’t repair known hazards, they may be liable for your injuries. You’ll need to show that the landlord knew about the issue and didn’t take reasonable steps to fix it or warn tenants.
While it’s ideal to report the incident immediately, you can still sue if there’s other evidence supporting your claim. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and prompt treatment can help prove your case even if no formal report was made at the time of the fall.
In most cases, owners in Chicago owe a limited duty to trespassers. They typically must avoid willful or wanton harm. However, exceptions may apply, especially with child trespassers under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. Speak with a fall attorney if you’re unsure about your rights.
Liability can fall on the host, Airbnb, or property manager, depending on who controlled the premises and whether they failed to correct or warn of a dangerous condition. These cases often involve complex insurance questions, so working with a fall lawyer is essential.
If you were injured on city-owned property—like a public sidewalk or CTA station—you may file a claim against the City of Chicago. However, these cases involve shorter deadlines and strict notice requirements. Speak with an attorney quickly to preserve your right to seek compensation.
You may have a valid case if you were injured because of a hazardous condition on a property the owner knew or should have known about and failed to address. If you needed medical treatment or missed work, you may be entitled to compensation. A fall lawyer can review your situation.
Most slip and fall accident cases resolve within 6 to 18 months, depending on injury severity, whether a lawsuit is filed, and how willing the insurer is to settle. Complex cases or those that go to trial may take longer. Your lawyer will work to keep things moving.
Most slip and fall cases settle out of court, especially when the evidence is strong. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney may recommend going to trial. A good attorney prepares every case as if it will go before a judge or jury.
If you were hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain.
We offer a free consultation and handle every case on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win. Let a top-rated Chicago slip and fall lawyer review your case and explain your legal options. Contact us to get started.
I am thrilled with how the team handled my trip and fall case. They hired an investigator to go out to the scene and take photos of the area to demonstrate a defect with the stairs. I could tell from the start...
Extremely professional group of attorneys. They answered my questions and always responded to my phone calls. At the end of the day, they definitely recovered more money for my case than I feel like I could...
After breaking my leg at work, I thought I had a straightforward slip and fall case. I was very wrong. Mr. Rosenfeld and his associates really handled everything for me in terms of getting my medical treatment...