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Business Slip and Fall Lawyer in Chicago
Representing Victims Injured in Slips and Falls at Chicago Businesses
Businesses in Chicago are responsible for ensuring everyone who lawfully enters their premises is kept safe. When dangerous conditions exist, the resulting injuries may be the property or business owner’s fault. If you were injured in a commercial property accident, a business slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other legal damages.
Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers represents victims injured in retail stores, offices, salons, gyms, banks, and other commercial spaces throughout Chicago. Our experienced attorneys investigate dangerous property conditions, gather critical evidence, and hold negligent business owners accountable to help clients recover the maximum compensation available.
Verdicts & Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm
Our personal injury law firm has decades of experience securing compensation for victims when slip and fall accidents occur.
Here are some of our past settlements:
- $1.2 million – Louisa slipped on a spill in a grocery store aisle near Fullerton Avenue and broke her arm in two places. Surveillance revealed the mess had been ignored by staff for over 30 minutes. The store’s negligence and her subsequent mobility issues significantly influenced the outcome.
- $1 million – Nick, a marketing executive, tripped over an unsecured extension cord in a River North office building. He fractured his hand and wrist, requiring multiple surgeries. Building staff failed to tape or mark the hazard, despite prior complaints.
- $710,868 – Erica, an office worker in the Loop, tripped on carpeting debris left in a hallway during renovations. She injured her ankle and lower back, missing several months of work. The contractor failed to block off or clean the area despite clear safety policies.
Why Choose Us for Your Case in Chicago
If you need a business slip and fall lawyer in Chicago, our experienced personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve. Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers is recognized among the top 5% of attorneys by Super Lawyers while maintaining a five-star AVVO rating. We thoroughly investigate dangerous property conditions, obtain surveillance footage and maintenance records, and hold negligent business owners accountable for unsafe premises.
What Causes Slips and Falls at Businesses?
Legal liability in a slip and fall accident may be caused by:
- Spilled drinks or merchandise
- Recently mopped or waxed floors without proper warning signs
- Wet entryways from rain or snow being tracked in
- Torn carpeting
- Unsecured rugs
- Uneven tiles
- Broken or uneven flooring
- Missing handrails
- Poor lighting in hallways or stairways
- Cluttered aisles
- Fallen displays
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Slips and Falls at Businesses?
To hold a business owner accountable for legal liability, you must have suffered injuries as a result of the hazard. Even minor injuries may result in legal damages that are eligible for a settlement if negligence is involved.
Here are some common injuries associated with slip and fall cases in Chicago businesses:
- Fractures (wrist, arm, shoulder, and hip)
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Knee injuries (meniscus tears and dislocations)
- Back and spinal cord injuries (herniated discs)
- Soft tissue injuries requiring physical therapy (sprains and strains)
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Internal bleeding
Who Can Be Held Liable for Business Slip and Fall Accidents?
Establishing legal liability for a dangerous condition is crucial to securing compensation for your suffering.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Business owner or operator for failing to hire sufficient cleaning staff
- Landlord or commercial property owner for failing to maintain common areas
- Cleaning contractors for negligent cleaning or maintenance services
- Property management companies for failing to implement inspections
- Multiple parties can share fault depending on the lease agreements and areas of control
When Are Business Owners Not Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents?
Business owners are not liable for every slip and fall accident that results in injuries. If the business owner fulfilled their legal duty to exercise reasonable care by inspecting the property, addressing hazardous conditions within a reasonable time, and providing adequate warning of known dangers, they may not be held legally responsible for the victim’s injuries. However, every case depends on the specific facts, and determining liability often requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident.
What Laws Govern Slip and Fall Claims in Chicago?
The primary personal injury law governing slip and fall cases is the Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/). This statute requires property or business owners to take reasonable care to prevent dangerous conditions on their premises that could cause injuries.
Another relevant statute comes from the outcome of Ward v. Kmart Corp., which established that the “open and obvious” doctrine does not always apply in commercial spaces.
How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action in Illinois?
In Illinois, you have two years to seek compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional suffering, and other legal damages after a slip and fall accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If you wait too long, you may not be able to hold the business owner accountable for failing to uphold their legal duty.
Additionally, the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to preserve evidence that supports your claim, such as medical records, surveillance footage, witness statements, and photos of the hazard.
What to Do to Strengthen Your Case After a Slip and Fall Accident at a Business
Following the proper steps after your slip and fall accident can make all the difference in establishing legal liability.
One misstep could undermine your entire case, so here is what you should do immediately after the slip and fall:
- Report the fall to the business staff members of management immediately
- Request a written incident report and ask for a copy
- Note the employee names involved in the incident report
- Take photos of the accident scene, especially the hazard that caused your fall
- Preserve physical evidence, such as clothing and shoes
- Seek medical attention immediately and keep all medical records
- Avoid posting on social media or giving statements to insurance companies
- Consult an expert attorney from Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers before surveillance footage is destroyed (which can happen in a matter of days)
Why You Need a Lawyer
Working with an experienced business slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can significantly improve your chances of securing fair compensation. Our attorneys understand how to investigate commercial property accidents, preserve evidence, and build strong premises liability claims against negligent businesses.
Some of the challenges you will face if you pursue the lawsuit alone include:
- The business denies responsibility or blames you for the accident
- Commercial insurers use aggressive negotiation tactics to minimize payouts
- Defense lawyers argue that the hazard was “open and obvious,” so the victim must have been behaving recklessly
Our legal team will conduct a thorough accident investigation, obtain surveillance footage and maintenance records, interview witnesses, work with safety experts, and negotiate for the maximum settlement with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation available.
FAQs
What if the business says it was my fault?
In Illinois, there is a comparative fault statute. State law 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 allows injured victims to pursue lawsuits as long as they are no more than 50% responsible for their injuries.
However, if you are partially at fault for the incident, your potential payout will be reduced by a similar factor.
What damages can I recover?
The two primary types of damages you can recover for a slip and fall are economic and non-economic.
Economic damages include lost income, medical expenses, future medical bills, and property damage. Non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How much does a business slip and fall lawyer in Chicago cost?
At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront for our legal services. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf, and our fee is deducted from your final settlement or verdict. This allows you to pursue your claim without worrying about out-of-pocket legal costs.
Book a Free Consultation Now!
If you were injured in a slip and fall at a Chicago business, a business slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other legal damages. Our legal team is committed to holding negligent property and business owners accountable for unsafe premises, whether your accident occurred in a retail store, restaurant, bank, office, boutique, or other commercial property. We will gather the evidence needed to build a strong premises liability claim and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can protect your rights.
Content reviewed by Chicago slip and fall accident lawyer Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC, who holds property owners and management companies accountable to obtain justice for injured visitors and tenants, and is a trial lawyer recognized by Super Lawyers, Lawyer Legion, and Distinguished Justice Advocates for premises liability litigation.