Hotel Slip and Fall Lawyer in Chicago

Helping Victims in Chicago Recover the Compensation They Deserve

Busy downtown hotels, including those near McCormick Place and along the Chicago River, can turn a relaxing stay into a serious medical emergency if a guest slips and falls because of unsafe conditions, such as slippery pool decks, wet lobby floors, or poorly maintained walkways. If you were injured due to a hotel’s negligence, a hotel slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other legal damages. Our top-rated attorneys have over 100 combined years of legal experience handling hotel slip and fall cases in Chicago, providing the skilled legal representation you need. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

Successful Chicago Settlements & Verdicts

$2,000,000: Cherish, a young woman, suffered a fractured pelvis after slipping on an icy sidewalk. We were able to prove the property owners had not properly salted the sidewalk.

$1,500,000: Bob fell down a flight of stairs, leading to massive injuries. We showed that the stairway and railings did not comply with the Chicago building code.

$1,000,000: Nancy slipped on an extension cord, fracturing her hand and wrist. Our attorneys ensured that her settlement negotiations included all future medical expenses, such as physical therapy. 

Why Choose Our Hotel Slip and Fall Lawyers in Chicago

If you need a hotel slip and fall lawyer in Chicago, our law firm is a trusted choice for premises liability claims thanks to our 98% success rate and 10/10 AVVO rating. As a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we have recovered over $490 million in settlements and verdicts over the past 25 years. 

We are committed to providing seamless legal representation while pursuing the maximum compensation available for every client. Our team has successfully litigated claims involving major hotel brands, including Marriott and Hilton, as well as independent hotels throughout Chicago, giving us the experience to handle even the most complex hotel slip and fall cases.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Hotel Slips and Falls in Chicago?

Wet Floors: Hotel staff may fail to put out warning signs after mopping.

Slippery Floors: Hotels near the Mag Mile often get significant foot traffic, which can track in ice and snow.

Spills: Lobby cafes and dining areas may have spilled food that could lead to accidents.

Loose Carpet or Broken Tiles: Some hotels, such as the Palmer Hotel, are quite old and may have loose carpet or broken tiles.

Inadequate Lighting: Chicago hotels, like Hotel Felix River North, are multiple stories. Dark stairwells with broken railings can create dangerous conditions. 

Ice Machines and Air Conditioning Units: Leaky machines may cause slippery patches on the floor, especially near tile.

Inadequate Snow Removal: Chicago gets approximately 28.1 inches of snow every year. If the hotel failed to salt the sidewalks, people may suffer slip and fall accidents.

What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries Sustained at Hotels?

Injuries caused by slips and falls include:

• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Back and neck injuries
• Broken teeth and facial disfigurement

What Damages Can Injured Hotel Guests Recover in Chicago?

Our top-rated attorneys will seek compensation for all your expenses, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Future loss of income
• Property damage
• Out-of-pocket medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Is the Average Payout for a Hotel Slip and Fall?

According to reported premises liability cases and Law.com‘s Verdict Search, the average payout for a hotel slip and fall accident is approximately $585,787, with a median recovery of $307,979. Settlement amounts vary based on the severity of your injuries, available evidence, liability, medical expenses, lost income, and the insurance coverage available in the case.

Example Slip and Fall Accident Cases Involving Hotels

Julie Dembitzky was born without a left leg and used a prosthetic. While visiting a hotel, she slipped and fell, injuring her right knee. She was diagnosed with a permanent articular cartilage injury to her right knee. She and the hotel settled for $4,750,000.00. 

Michael Bowman, a horse veterinarian, fell near an unloading area of a motel, fracturing his ankle in three places. He required extensive surgery and will likely need future ankle fusion surgery to stabilize the joint. The motel refused to pay, so he took the case to court and was awarded $2,042,948.00. 

Why You Need a Hotel Slip and Fall Lawyer in Chicago

Working with a hotel slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can significantly improve your chances of recovering fair compensation. Hotel slip and fall claims often involve disputes over liability, missing surveillance footage, delayed incident reports, and insurance companies that attempt to minimize or deny valid claims. Our attorneys understand how to investigate dangerous hotel conditions, preserve evidence, identify all liable parties, and build strong premises liability claims against hotel owners, management companies, maintenance contractors, cleaning companies, and other responsible parties.

Our legal team can help by:

• Sending preservation letters to protect surveillance footage before it is deleted
• Obtaining maintenance records, cleaning logs, and inspection reports
• Interviewing witnesses and hotel employees
• Working with medical experts to document your injuries and damages
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies and litigating your case in Cook County courts when necessary

How Common Are Slip and Fall Incidents in Hotels?

According to Summit Holdings, falls from the same level are the second most common injuries in hotels, representing 21% of all claims. 

Where Do Hotel Slip and Fall Accidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

While these accidents can occur anywhere, high-traffic hotels are more likely to experience them due to understaffing, heavy foot traffic, and inadequate maintenance. Common places for accidents include:

• Hotels near O’Hare or Midway airports
• Downtown hotels, such as those near the Loop, Mag Mile, Millennium Park, or Grant Park
• Convention centers and hotels near McCormick Place
• Upscale boutique hotels in River North, the Loop, or the Gold Coast
• Hotel pools, lobbies, restaurants, cafes, conference rooms, and valet areas

What Laws Govern Slip and Fall Claims in Chicago?

The Illinois Premises Liability Act establishes that property owners can be held liable for accidents on their premises if they fail to address dangerous conditions (740 ILCS 130/). However, they must be aware of the issue, known as actual notice, or it must be proven that they would have known about the problem if staff had been paying attention, known as constructive notice. 

While Illinois as a whole does not require the removal of naturally accumulating ice (745 ILCS 75/2), Chicago does mandate that owners regularly shovel and de-ice walkways (4-4-310 & 10-8-180), meaning you can sue if you fall on an icy sidewalk. 

Illinois is a modified comparative negligence state (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). This means that everyone involved in a case will be assigned a portion of the blame. You can sue if you were not more than 50% liable. 

Hotels will often attempt to claim that you are more responsible, which can lead to a complicated legal process. For example, they may state that you weren’t paying attention and are therefore liable. However, cases like Dempsey-Vanderbilt Hotel v. Huismanshow that injured individuals cannot be held accountable for failing to notice something they would not expect to be present. 

In this case, the plaintiff tripped on a broken tile and fell down a stairway. Hotels cannot expect people to inspect every tile for damage before walking. 

How Long Do I Have to Take Legal Action Following a Slip and Fall Due to Hotel Negligence in Chicago?

The Illinois statute of limitations for a slip and fall case is 2 years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that we have time to file your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago?

Our attorneys will carefully review your case to identify all potential defendants, which can include:

• Hotel owners, whether corporations or franchises
• Property management companies
• Maintenance and janitorial contractors
• Snow and ice removal companies
• On-site restaurants and cafes or third-party vendors

Common Defenses in Chicago Slip and Fall Claims Involving Hotels

• Open and Obvious Hazard: This means that the hazard should have been clear to anyone paying attention. Cases like Deibert v. Bauer Bros. Const. Co., Inc. demonstrates that companies can be held responsible for obvious dangers if they can reasonably assume a person would not notice the issue due to other factors, like looking out for falling debris.
• Distraction: They will claim you should have been paying closer attention, but in the Illinois court case Ward v. K Mart Corp., attorneys successfully argued that companies can be liable for hazards if guests would be distracted while entering or exiting an establishment.
• Lack of Notice: Hotels could claim that they weren’t aware of the issue, but we can use witness testimony, maintenance records, and surveillance footage to demonstrate that they should have known about the problem.
• Warning Signs: The hotel management may claim they provided adequate warning, but we can use cleaning logs or accident-scene photos to show they did not.
• Improper Footwear or Clothing: Hotels often blame hotel guests for wearing slippery footwear like sandals, but we can demonstrate that this did not contribute to your fall using accident reports or eyewitness testimony.
• Procedural Delays: Insurance companies will delay investigations or refuse to respond to you. Our attorneys will push for prompt responses so we can file your claim on time. 

How to Strengthen Your Hotel Liability Slip and Fall Claim in Chicago

To ensure the best chance of compensation for a slip and fall incident, follow these steps immediately.

• Seek immediate medical attention from the closest hospital, like Northwestern Memorial.
• Photograph the hazardous conditions as soon as possible, before they are cleaned.
• Report the fall to hotel representatives and get a written copy of the incident report.
• Keep your medical records and document all expenses, including lost income. 
• Get names and contact details for witnesses, including staff.
• Preserve all clothing and shoes worn during the fall.
• Do not speak to hotel management or insurance companies about the accident.
• Consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. 

How a Hotel Slip and Fall Lawyer in Chicago Can Help

A hotel slip and fall lawyer in Chicago can guide you through every stage of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we protect your rights. Our experienced attorneys know how to investigate hotel accident claims, preserve critical evidence, and build strong premises liability cases against negligent hotel owners and operators. We can help by:

• Sending preservation letters to ensure the hotel preserves surveillance footage and other evidence
• Gathering surveillance footage, photographs, witness statements, and other critical evidence
• Investigating maintenance records, staff training manuals, cleaning logs, and inspection reports
• Demonstrating that the hotel breached its duty under Illinois premises liability law
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to pursue maximum compensation
• Filing a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County if a fair settlement cannot be reached

FAQs

Get Legal Help After a Hotel Slip and Fall in Chicago

If you were injured because of unsafe conditions at a hotel, a hotel 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 hotel owners, operators, and management companies accountable while protecting your rights throughout the claims process. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation 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.