Chicago Airport Slip and Fall Accident Cases

Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries at Midway and O’Hare Airport

An airport slip and fall accident can result in severe injuries, and you deserve fair compensation. O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport may have wet floors, uneven surfaces, and poorly maintained public areas that lead to serious danger.

The experienced attorneys at Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers are trusted allies of travelers, airport staff, and other parties who have suffered injuries at airports. Contact us today to learn how we aggressively pursue compensation on behalf of accident victims.

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

• $2,600,000: Jose, a construction worker, fell on construction debris outside of O’Hare Airport, leading to a significant knee injury. We demonstrated that the airport was liable for unsafe conditions during the construction period.
• $2,000,000: Mary, a young woman, was rushing to catch her flight at Midway when she fell on a wet floor near her gate, breaking her pelvis. We proved that both the airline and the airport were liable for failing to clean up a spill.
• $1,200,000: Monique was finishing up lunch at O’Hare when she slipped on spilled food outside of the restaurant. We demonstrated that the maintenance staff had been aware of the spill, making them liable. 

Why Choose Us for Your Airport Slip and Fall Case in Chicago

We are the top-rated attorneys for these complicated personal injury cases in Chicago due to our 98% success rate and perfect 10/10 AVVO rating. Having secured over $490 million in settlements and verdicts over the past 25 years, we have the connections and experience necessary to successfully pursue compensation for these challenging cases. 

What Causes Airport Slip and Fall Accidents?

Midway and O’Hare Airports are high-traffic areas, which increases the risk of injury. Combined, the airports saw 95.9 million passengers in 2023 alone, and unfortunately, not all of them left the premises in perfect health. Common causes of slip and fall accidents in airports include:

• Slippery floors due to cleaning activities, especially without proper signage
• Waxed hard surfaces, including floors and railings
• Spilled beverages or food near restaurants and concessions
• Icy parking lots and outdoor walkways
• Slippery surfaces during inclement weather conditions, like jet bridges
• Tracked-in snow or ice in baggage claim areas, terminals, and lobbies
• Poor lighting, especially during the early morning and evening
• Uneven surfaces like ramps, loose tile, or carpeting
• Slick surfaces near escalators and moving walkways

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Slips and Falls at Airports?

Such cases often involve serious injuries that require extensive recovery time. Common injuries in an airport slip and fall accident include:

• Broken bones, especially hips, ankles, and wrists
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal injuries like herniated discs
• Torn ligaments, especially ACL and MCL
• Facial injuries and dental trauma
• Shoulder dislocations and rotator cuff tears

What Is the Average Airport Slip and Fall Accident Settlement in Illinois?

According to Law.com’s Verdict Search, the average payout for an Illinois airport slip and fall accident is $2,341,416, with a median settlement of $955,300. Your payout will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident, including available evidence, severity of injuries, cost of damages, available insurance, and whether you work with a trusted personal injury lawyer on your case. 

Example Cases

• Charles Stahlheber, a baggage handler, was using the bathroom when he slipped on a wet floor. He suffered from a torn rotator cuff and required physical therapy to recover some range of motion in his arm. He sued the maintenance company, which settled for $170,000.00. 
• Rhonda Zaring was an administrator for a telecommunications company when she boarded a bus at a satellite parking lot near Midway International Airport. She was securing her luggage when the bus suddenly jolted forward, causing her to lose her balance. Zaring fractured her coccyx and required months of rehabilitation to recover, but was left with pain for years after the accident. She settled with the transportation company for $65,000.00.

Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident at an Airport?

Our skilled attorneys will identify all potential defendants and ensure that they pay their fair share. Potentially liable parties can include the following.

• Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA): This agency owns and operates both O’Hare and Midway. As this is a government agency, it can be challenging to pursue compensation from them, but our attorneys have years of experience litigating government claims.
• Private Contractors: Janitorial companies, property managers, restaurants, retail stores, and airline vendors may be held liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions in accordance with their contracts.
• Airlines: Airlines like JetBlue, United Airlines, Southwest, and American Airlines are responsible for maintaining their gates, waiting areas, and jet bridges. They can be responsible for any accidents that occur in these areas.
• Maintenance Providers: The Chicago Municipal Code requires that sidewalks, parking areas, and walkways be kept clear of ice and snow (4-4-310 & 10-8-180). This means that maintenance companies can be held responsible for slips and falls caused by ice, as well as for issues with slippery floors or malfunctioning escalators.

Part of the reason these cases are challenging is that multiple agencies may be liable, depending on where the accident occurred and whose responsibility it is to manage that area. We will review your case and determine which company or agency should be held accountable. 

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents at Airports?

According to a study published in Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 40.3% of all injuries reported by airport personnel were due to slip and fall accidents. Another study, published by the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, determined that 22% of all workers’ compensation claims at one airport were attributed to slip and fall incidents. 

What Laws Govern Airport Slip and Fall Claims in Chicago?

The Illinois Premises Liability Act gives injury victims the right to pursue compensation if they were injured due to someone else’s negligence (740 ILCS 130/). This requires collecting evidence proving that the liable party was aware of the problem but failed to exercise reasonable care in preventing harm to others. 

However, airport cases are complicated by the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/). This act generally prevents government agencies or their employees from being held liable for accidents in most cases. For example, the Illinois Supreme Court case Bruns v. City of Centralia found that a municipal government could not be held responsible for an open and obvious hazard like a cracked sidewalk.

Lastly, the Joint Tortfeasor Act allows victims to sue multiple parties for the same accident if they all contributed to the hazardous conditions (740 ILCS 100/2). This is a crucial element of an airport accident because government agencies, vendors, transportation companies, and even individuals may also share part of the blame. 

How Long Do I Have to File an Airport Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Illinois?

The statute of limitations depends on the liable party. If you are suing the Chicago Department of Aviation or the City of Chicago, you have only one year to file due to the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/). You will also need to file a notice of claim before this deadline.

For other responsible parties, you have two years as per the Illinois Personal Injury Act (735 ILCS 5/13-202). It is crucial that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible so that we can determine liability and file a complaint within the timeline. 

What Damages Can Injured Victims Recover?

Our top-rated Chicago attorneys can help you secure a fair settlement that ensures your well-being throughout recovery. Your financial damages can include:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses like physical therapy 
• Lost wages and loss of future income
• Property damage
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress 
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If your case goes to court, the jury might award punitive damages depending on the specifics of the case. However, these are not always guaranteed. 

How to Strengthen Your Airport Slip and Fall Case

Your immediate actions after a slip and fall accident can significantly impact whether you are able to secure fair compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible. 

• Seek medical attention from first aid stations or visit the closest hospital.
• Document your injury with photos, and identify the exact area where you fell. 
• Report the incident to airport personnel and request a copy of the incident report.
• Take photos and videos of where the accident happened, including any potential fall hazards in the area. 
• Gather witness information from anyone who saw the incident, such as airport staff or other travelers. 
• Do not speak to insurance companies, airport authorities, or any other third parties involved in the case.
• Contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation as soon as possible. 

Common Defenses in Airport Slip and Fall Cases

Companies and governments will do everything possible to diminish their responsibility and reduce your potential compensation. Our skilled attorneys can easily refute these common defenses using evidence and legal precedent.

• Open and Obvious Hazard: The open and obvious hazard defense claims that a reasonable person would have noticed and avoided the problem. We can use incident reports, accident photos, and witness testimony to prove the hazard was not evident.
• Lack of Notice: Defendants can only be held responsible if they had actual notice or constructive notice of problems, and we can demonstrate they did have notice through maintenance records.
• Preexisting Conditions: For certain injuries, like slipped discs, the defendant may state that you had an underlying medical condition that led to the incident. We can use your medical history to prove this was a new issue.
• Procedural Defense: Government agencies may state that you did not file within the one-year deadline. It’s crucial to work with an attorney who can file your claim quickly.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Working with the best slip and fall accident attorneys available can increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation and recuperating in comfort. We can assist you with the following services throughout your case:

• Filing preservation requests to ensure key evidence, like surveillance footage, is not lost.
• Interviewing witnesses to understand how the accident happened.
• Collecting evidence like medical reports, accident photos, maintenance records, incident reports, and building inspections. 
• Identifying all liable parties, such as the CDA, transportation companies, specific airlines, and airport vendors. 
• Evaluating your damages to determine a fair settlement offer.
• Consulting with expert witnesses, like doctors and accident reconstructionists, to understand how the slip and fall occurred.
• Filing the proper paperwork with the Circuit Court of Cook County or other courthouse.
• Communicating with third parties, including airport officials and insurance companies, to negotiate a fair settlement.
• If negotiations fail, we will file a lawsuit and represent you in front of a judge and jury. 

FAQs

Can I sue the airport for a slip and fall?

Yes, you can sue an airport for a slip and fall accident if it can be proven that the airport was negligent, such as failing to clean up spills in a timely fashion. 

Can an airline be liable?

In some cases, the airline may be the responsible party, especially if the accident occurred on jetways or in waiting areas that are under the airline’s control. Multiple parties, including airlines, airports, and third-party vendors, may be liable depending on where the incident occurred. 

How much does an attorney cost?

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our legal fees are deducted from your settlement. You owe us nothing out of pocket. 

Speak With a Chicago Airport Slip and Fall Attorney Today

If you were injured at Midway or O’Hare Airport terminals, our team is ready to provide the best possible legal assistance. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and have secured millions in settlements for our clients. Contact us today for a consultation about your legal rights.