Hip Fracture Slip and Fall Cases in Chicago

Seek Compensation After a Slip and Fall Accident Resulting in Hip Fracture in Chicago

Hip fractures are extremely debilitating injuries that can lead to future falls. If you have suffered a hip fracture because of a property owner’s negligence, you could seek compensation for legal damages with a hip fracture slip and fall claim.

In Chicago, the possibility of slipping and falling due to someone else’s negligence is always present, whether you are in a nursing home, an apartment stairwell, a retail store, or a local park with icy sidewalks.

At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to hold property owners and other negligent parties accountable for allowing hazardous conditions. Our team will guide you through the claims process to increase your chances of securing fair compensation after your slip and fall hip injuries.

Slip and Fall Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

Dangerous falls can occur to anyone, from children to young adults to the elderly. Fortunately, our law firm has experience handling slip and fall cases that result in serious injuries or even death. Here are some of our past settlements:

• $5 million – Melissa, 32, died after falling from the roof of her Lakeview apartment building, which lacked protective fencing or guardrails. Tenants had regular rooftop access, despite the owner receiving previous safety complaints. The wrongful death case centered on negligent maintenance and building code violations.
• $4 million – While recovering from hip replacement surgery at a major Chicago hospital, Leonard, 70, fell in his room due to the absence of a safety monitor or mobility assistance. He suffered a subdural hematoma and later passed away. The settlement reflected failures in hospital fall-risk protocols for post-op patients.
• $2.6 million – David, a 46-year-old laborer, fell into an uncovered trench at a commercial construction site in the West Loop, severely injuring his knee. He required multiple surgeries and was unable to return to work. The case value was driven by unsafe site conditions and the contractor’s failure to follow OSHA standards.
• $2 million – Jasmine, a 24-year-old student, fractured her pelvis after slipping on untreated ice outside a church in Humboldt Park. Investigation revealed that staff failed to salt walkways despite multiple freeze warnings. The case focused on premises liability and neglect of basic winter safety measures.
• $1.2 million – Tracy, 40, broke her arm after slipping on spilled fruit in a national grocery chain’s Lincoln Park location. Surveillance footage showed the hazard had been left unattended for over 20 minutes. The case value was driven by the store’s failure to follow cleanup procedures and employee oversight.
• $1 million – Brian, a 58-year-old consultant, tripped over an unsecured extension cord during a meeting at a Loop office building, fracturing his hand and wrist. The case highlighted poor event setup and a lack of safety compliance by the building’s management company.

Why Choose Us for Your Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Securing compensation for severe injuries to your hip requires a legal team with experience. Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers holds several distinctions, including being recognized among the top 5% of attorneys by Super Lawyers. We also carry a five-star rating from AVVO.

Our top-rated Chicago slip and fall lawyers have handled numerous high-value cases involving surgery, nursing home neglect, and permanent mobility loss.

Types of Slip and Fall Hip Injury Cases We Handle

Recovery time for a hip injury can be significant, especially for elderly adults. However, these accidents can happen to anyone, leading to physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Here are some examples of slip and fall accidents that could cause hip fractures:

• Nursing home falls due to a lack of supervision or mobility assistance
• Tenant falls on icy sidewalks or cracked pavement near the apartments
• Stairwell accidents caused by inadequate handrails
• Falls on slick, waxed, or wet floors in retail and restaurant settings
• Public sidewalk falls caused by uneven concrete or snow accumulation
• Construction site falls caused by improper safety practices

Types of Hip Fractures Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents

The hip joint is a critical component of the skeletal structure, and it can be damaged in numerous ways. Here are some of the most common hip injuries suffered in slip and fall accident cases:

• Femoral neck fractures – Common in older adults and may require surgery for a hip replacement
• Intertrochanteric fractures – Occur between the neck and shaft of the femur and can be stabilized with screws or rods
• Subtrochanteric fractures – Occur beneath the lesser trochanter and may involve significant surgical procedures
• Displaced and non-displaced fractures -These hip injuries affect the alignment and the treatment path
• Open and closed fractures – Open, or compound, fractures increase the risk of infection

Other Types of Hip Injuries Sustained in Slips and Falls

• Dislocation
• Labral tear
• Hip strain
• Hip contusion (bruising)
• Bursitis
• Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
• Femoral head damage

What Damages Can Slip and Fall Victims Recover for a Fractured Hip?

If you suffer a fractured hip due to another party’s negligence, you could recover compensation for legal damages. The two main categories of losses are economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

• Lost wages
• Medical bills (emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, mobility devices, nursing care, home health aides)
• Future medical bills (especially for older adults)
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Intense pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Is the Average Slip and Fall Payout for a Hip Fracture in Illinois?

In Illinois, the average payout for hip fractures in slip and fall accident claims is $292,695. Factors that affect your settlement amount include the extent of the injury, the legal damages, the available evidence, policy limits, and the strength of your attorney. Since each case is unique, it can be challenging to determine the value of your claim without consulting our top-rated firm during a free case evaluation.

Example Cases

Gail was attending a wedding reception at Revolution Brewing in 2012 when she walked past a kitchen door, slipped, and fell. She suffered a hip fracture requiring surgery. Gail and her husband sued the restaurant because their bread-baking process had created slippery conditions outside the kitchen. The parties settled for $525,000.

Jason was an emergency room physician working at United Samaritans Medical Center in 2000. He entered a hallway, slipped on a wet floor, and suffered a femoral neck fracture in his left hip. Jason sued Servicemaster Management Services for failing to properly train an employee to follow proper mopping protocols and place a warning sign for wet floors. Jason received $475,000 from the company and the hospital for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

Why You Need a Lawyer

Slip and fall cases are difficult to navigate without a lawyer. The defendant may blame your age or frailty if you are older. In most cases, premises liability requires proving notice of the hazard. Commercial defendants have access to extensive resources, including corporate defense teams.

Overcoming these challenges is much easier with a qualified injury lawyer on your side. Our team can investigate the case, secure evidence, and work with orthopedic experts to build a strong claim.

How Common Are Broken Hip Slip and Fall Accidents?

Each year in the United States, there are roughly 300,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures related to falls. However, these numbers only pertain to older adults, so the total number of falls that cause hip fractures is even higher.

Where Do Slip and Fall Hip Fractures Most Often Occur in Chicago?

Although a broken hip joint could occur almost anywhere in Chicago, some locations are more prone to slips and falls:

• Assisted living facilities and nursing homes in Lincoln Park or Norwood Park
• CTA stations with staircases and escalators
• Lobby floors in office buildings in the Loop
• Grocery store entrances during the winter
• Apartment complexes with poorly maintained stairs or sidewalks
• Hospitals with wet floors
• Restaurants and retail locations with frequent spills
• Construction sites in Downtown Chicago

What Laws Govern Broken Hip Slip and Fall Cases in Chicago?

Various laws will impact the outcome of your claim involving severe hip injuries. The Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) states that property owners must exercise reasonable care to maintain safe conditions for visitors. The Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45/) includes standards for moving older people who have trouble walking and providing adequate supervision for residents.

How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?

According to state law 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you have two years to pursue compensation for severe injuries suffered in a slip and fall. This deadline typically begins on the day of the injury or the date of discovery, whichever is later.

Who Is Liable for Hip Injuries Following Slip and Fall Accidents?

Accidents that cause hip fractures could involve various at-fault parties. Here are some of the most common defendants in these cases:

• Commercial property owners for stores, offices, and hotels
• Residential landlords for apartment buildings or townhouses
• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Snow and ice removal contractors
• Building maintenance staff
• The City of Chicago for sidewalks, government buildings, and public stairwells
• Janitorial service providers
• Private homeowners

Common Hip Injury Case Defenses in Chicago

The at-fault party in your case will likely have a defense team to argue against your claims. Here are some common defenses these lawyers will use to undermine the settlement:

• The victim’s age or health caused the fall – We can counter with accident scene evidence and documentation of the hazard
• The condition was open and obvious – We can counter by arguing distraction, poor lighting, or poor design
• There was no prior notice of the hazard – We will investigate cleaning logs and witness statements
• The victim wore improper footwear – This is not a defense if the property was inherently unsafe

For each defense, we counter by seeking additional evidence, expert testimony, and information about local code violations.

How to Strengthen a Hip Fracture Case Following a Slip and Fall

If you suffer from a fractured hip after slipping and falling, you must follow these steps to increase your chances of earning compensation:

• Report the incident immediately and ask for an incident report
• Take pictures of the scene and your clothing
• Seek immediate medical attention and follow the treatment plan
• Keep all medical records and rehabilitation documents
• Consult one of our expert attorneys at Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers

How an Attorney Can Help

We know what it takes to prove the other person’s negligence in your claim. Some of our legal services include:

• Investigating property conditions
• Securing surveillance footage
• Coordinating with orthopedic experts and life care plans
• Handling negotiations with insurance companies
• Filing claims in court
• Proving the long-term effects of hip injuries
• Fighting for full compensation, especially for vulnerable clients

FAQs

Book a Free Consultation

A bad hip injury can lead to long periods of rehabilitation, emotional distress, and financial difficulties. If the incident was someone else’s fault, you deserve to be compensated for the suffering you endured. Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers have decades of experience holding Chicago entities accountable for negligence. Although older adults face a higher risk of hip injuries, falls can happen to people of all ages.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious fall that resulted in damage to the hip joint, contact our team for a free case evaluation. We offer free consultations and contingency fee agreements, and we have recovered millions for victims with hip injuries in Chicago.