Compensation After a Slip and Fall in a Parking Lot in Chicago 

Chicago Parking Lot Slip and Fall Lawyers

With over two million people living in Chicago and hundreds of thousands of visitors at any given time, a large number of vehicles require parking spaces throughout the city. A slip and fall in a parking lot could occur due to someone else’s negligence, in which case, you could seek compensation for legal damages. 

Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers is the legal team you need to earn a fair settlement after a slip and fall accident in a parking area. Whether you fell due to poor maintenance, ice, or uneven surfaces, our team will help you prove negligence. 

These parking lot accidents can occur near retail stores, apartment buildings, medical offices, schools, and restaurants. Often, the resulting injuries are caused by the negligence of the owner or manager. 

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

If you want to recover compensation after your fall injuries, you need an experienced legal team to guide you through the legal process. Here are some past settlements we have secured for our clients in slip and fall cases:

• $295,000 – Karen, 46, fell in the icy parking lot of a West Loop shopping plaza while walking to her car after a workout. Surveillance footage showed no salt or warning signs, despite freezing conditions the night before. Her knee injury required extensive rehab, and the settlement reflected both liability and missed work time.
• $710,868 – Eli, 40, tripped over debris left by contractors near the staff parking ramp of a downtown office building. He suffered a fractured ankle and missed several months of work. The cleanup failures and lack of signage contributed to the favorable outcome.
• $834,100 – Deja, 34, slipped on a landing in a poorly maintained stairwell leading from her building’s parking garage in Uptown. The stair treads were uneven, and the handrail was loose. The manager had ignored maintenance requests for months prior to the injury.
• $1 million – Leo, 59, tripped over a carelessly placed extension cord in a leased office suite above a River North parking garage. He fractured his hand and wrist, and the cord had been left unsecured for hours. Liability centered on the property manager’s failure to enforce safety protocols for shared spaces.
• $1.2 million – Monica, 38, broke her arm after slipping on a wet floor near the front entrance of a large discount retailer in Wicker Park. The fall occurred just inside the doors, where foot traffic from the wet parking lot created hazards that staff failed to manage. The incident was captured on security video.
• $1.5 million – Ronald, 80, fell down a dimly lit stairwell in his South Shore apartment building after returning from the shared underground parking garage. The stairs lacked proper handrails, and the lighting had been out for weeks. The case relied on building code violations and prior tenant complaints.

Why Choose Us for Your Slip and Fall Accident Case

As the best injury firm in Chicago, Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers will give you the best chance of securing maximum compensation from your claim. Our firm has a five-star rating from AVVO and an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau. 

Our experience includes cases against corporate property owners, parking garage managers, and facility staff responsible for parking lot maintenance and upkeep. 

What Causes Slips and Falls on Chicago Parking Lots?

A slip and fall in a parking lot could be the result of numerous hazards. Here are some potential causes of a parking lot accident that may influence the outcome of your injury claim:

• A failure to plow snow or lay down salt for de-icing
• Broken concrete or pavement
• Excessive potholes
• Oil spills and other vehicle fluid leaks
• Poorly placed wheel stops and curbs
• Insufficient lighting at night
• Blocked drainage that creates puddles and algae growth
• Deferred maintenance or improper repairs
• Lack of maintenance after complaints are received

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Slips and Falls at Parking Lots?

The injured person in this type of case may suffer a wide range of physical effects from the fall. Here are some common serious injuries that can happen in a parking lot accident:

• Hip fractures
• Wrist and arm fractures
• Torn rotator cuffs
• Torn knee ligaments
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Herniated discs
• Concussions
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Dental or facial injuries
• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility

What Damages Can Clients Injured in Chicago Slips and Falls Recover?

A bad injury can have physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If the damage occurred due to someone else’s negligence, you can pursue compensation with a personal injury lawsuit. A successful claim can result in a settlement for various types of legal damages, including both economic and non-economic losses. 

Economic Damages

• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Medical bills (emergency room visits, follow-up care, surgery, physical therapy, and long-term treatment)
• Future medical expenses
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Is the Average Payout for a Parking Lot Fall in Chicago?

Multiple factors can influence your settlement total from a slip and fall accident. The extent of your injuries, legal damages, available evidence, policy limits, and the strength of your attorney will all affect how much money you can earn.

The average settlement for a slip and fall accident on a parking lot is $265,598. The median settlement value is $100,000, which means half of all cases had lower values. 

Example Cases

Constance, a retired emergency room nurse, was walking in a parking lot outside a CVS when she slipped on ice and fractured her wrist. She sued CVS and the landscaping contractor for failing to remove piles of snow, which melted and turned into ice in the lot. The case was settled with both defendants for $645,000. 

Robert was picking up his vehicle from a dealership after a service appointment when he slipped on tire dressing in the parking area. He re-aggravated a pre-existing knee injury. Robert sued the dealership for allowing a hazardous condition in the parking area, which caused his injury. He received $153,446 for medical care costs, pain and suffering, and loss of normal life. 

Why You Need a Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents often involve numerous legal complexities. It is not always obvious who owns or manages the parking area, especially for strip malls and mixed-use buildings. Evidence in these cases can also disappear quickly, making it harder to establish liability. The property owner may deny fault, claiming that the dangerous conditions were obvious and that you failed to exercise care. 

Our top-rated law firm can help you identify responsible parties, gather evidence, and fight for full compensation while understanding your rights. Proving fault is the key to winning your slip and fall lawsuit. 

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents on Parking Lots?

In 2017, there were over 20,000 occupational injuries related to slips and falls caused by ice or snow in the United States. 25% of all slips and falls involving ice occur in parking lots. Since Chicago has long winters and aging infrastructure, the risks associated with slip and fall accidents are elevated. 

Where Do Parking Lot Slips and Falls Happen Most Often in Chicago?

Chicago has hundreds of parking lots and thousands of parking spaces. Certain locations are more likely to cause slips and falls:

• Grocery store lots, such as Mariano’s and Jewel-Osco
• Strip malls and shopping centers, such as Woodfield Mall
• School and church parking areas
• Apartment complexes
• Public housing
• Office complexes
• Hospitals and medical centers, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center
• City-owned public lots
• Event venue and stadium lots, such as Wrigley Field

What Laws Govern Illinois Slip and Fall Claims Involving Parking Lots?

The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) requires property owners to exercise reasonable care to prevent injuries to guests. This includes parking lot users. Parking lots must also comply with the local municipal code in Chicago, particularly Chapter 9-64, which outlines parking regulations. 

One past case that may influence your claim is Murphy-Hylton v. Lieberman Management Services. In this case, it was determined that landlords still owe a legal duty to remove snow and ice, even though this weather condition is a natural occurrence. 

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

In Illinois, you have two years to recover damages via a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If you wait too long, you will be unable to hold the at-fault party accountable. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Parking Lot Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

One of the priorities for your claim is determining who the liable party is for your slip and fall in a parking lot. Our attorneys can help you understand who is responsible for the dangerous conditions that caused your injury, which could include:

• Property owners (individuals, retailers, landlords)
• Management companies
• Commercial tenants (store operators with a lease)
• Snow and ice removal contractors
• Maintenance or janitorial companies
• Municipal entities (if the lot is publicly owned)

Common Defenses in Slip and Fall Cases Involving Parking Lots

If the at-fault party hires their own lawyers for their defense, these attorneys will use numerous tactics to undermine your case. Here are some common defenses used in slip and fall incidents:

• Ice and snow accumulate naturally
• The victim wasn’t careful
• There was no opportunity to fix the issue
• The hazardous condition was open and obvious
• Another party was responsible

To counter these defenses, Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers will research property logs, prior complaints, and surveillance that can prove otherwise. 

How to Strengthen Your Parking Lot Slip and Fall Claim in Chicago

Your actions after the parking lot slip and fall accident happened will significantly impact your ability to seek compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and other damages. Here is what you should do immediately after the fall occurs:

• Report the fall to the store or building manager and request the incident report
• Take photos of the hazard, physical evidence, and your injuries
• Ask for security footage to be preserved
• Seek medical attention immediately and retain all medical records
• Do not speak to an insurance company before consulting a slip and fall lawyer
• Contact our attorneys to prepare for your lawsuit

How a Chicago Parking Lot Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help

Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers can provide vital services to guide you through the claims process and recover damages. Our team will investigate the property owners, identify maintenance roles, secure surveillance footage and weather reports, identify liable parties, retain snow removal experts, and handle settlement negotiations. 

If the case must be litigated in a Cook County court, we will take you through that process as well.

FAQ

Is poor lighting considered a hazardous condition?

Yes, it is, so if you can take pictures of the poor lighting after the accident, it can help your case. 

Can I sue if a government entity owns the parking lot?

It is possible to sue the City of Chicago or another government agency, but these institutions often have greater protections against lawsuits, such as a shorter statute of limitations. 

What if I was partly at fault?

Under the Illinois Comparative Negligence Law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), the injured party can be no more than 50% responsible for the incident to pursue compensation. 

What evidence do I need to prove the dangerous conditions that led to my fall?

Types of evidence can include maintenance logs, surveillance footage, the accident report, photos of the scene, repair requests, contractor invoices, medical bills, and witness statements. 

Can I sue if the fall occurred during bad weather?

If the parking lot owner or manager has had enough time to notice the hazard and failed to address it, you can sue them for failing to remove dangerous conditions caused by bad weather. 

How much does an attorney cost?

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we win. 

Book a Free Consultation

Property owners and parking area managers are responsible for exercising reasonable care to maintain safe premises. If they fail to do so and you get hurt, you can file a slip and fall claim against them to recover lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, medical costs, and non-economic damages. 

Contact Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.