Slip and Fall Injuries in Chicago

Slip and fall injuries can have devastating consequences, leaving victims with expensive medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. These accidents often occur because property owners fail to address dangerous conditions or provide adequate warnings. Whether the incident happens at a business, apartment complex, or public property, injured victims may have the right to pursue compensation for their losses. Understanding your legal options after a serious accident is essential to protecting your rights and securing the financial recovery you need. 

Slip and fall injuries are all too common in Chicago, IL. It is difficult to predict when a slip and fall accident may occur, as we encounter risky situations throughout the day. If you get seriously hurt in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold them accountable via a civil claim.

Pursuing legal action for slip and fall injuries is much easier with the assistance of an experienced slip and fall lawyer. At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, we have successfully handled numerous slip and fall cases to help Chicago residents recover the compensation they deserve.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries in Chicago

Slip and fall injuries can occur when property owners fail to make their premises safe or warn visitors of unsafe conditions. In a busy city like Chicago, commercial buildings, apartment complexes, retail stores, restaurants, and other public spaces can be hazardous. These accidents often leave victims with serious injuries that require extensive medical care and time off from work.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Ice and snow accumulation
• Uneven sidewalks and pavement
• Broken stairways and handrails
• Poor lighting
• Loose carpeting or floor mats
• Cluttered walkways
• Spilled liquids
• Exposed cords and cables
• Failure to post warning signs

Identifying the cause of a fall is essential because it can help establish liability and strengthen a premises liability claim

Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Cases in Chicago

Chicago is a busy city with millions of people. At any given moment, you could suffer from a slip and fall that causes significant injuries. In serious cases, these injuries could have physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Let’s examine some of the most common injuries associated with slip and fall cases.

Head, Neck & Brain Injuries

Protecting your head is vital, which is why it is often the priority for various types of safety equipment. However, you cannot predict when a piece of debris may fall from a nearby construction site in the Near North Side and strike you on the head or neck. Headaches, dizziness, and confusion are commonly associated with head injuries. Damage to the neck could cause whiplash or strains.

A slip and fall accident could cause these head and neck injuries:

• Concussion
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Whiplash
• Contusion
• Skull fracture
• Muscle strains

Back, Nerve, & Spinal Cord Injuries

Another crucial component of the human body is the spinal column. As the foundation for most of the skeletal structure, damage to your spinal cord could have a devastating impact on your health. Other back injuries can also affect your mobility and may require long-term treatment.

These injuries often happen when claimants slip on wet floors in grocery stores or on uneven sidewalks, resulting in chronic pain or even paralysis.

Here are some common injuries that can affect your back:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Herniated disc
• Broken vertebrae
• Lacerations

Bone Fractures & Joint Damage

Broken bones and joint damage are most common in older adults who suffer from slip and fall accidents, but they can happen to anyone. Joints are particularly vulnerable to a bad fall, especially the hips, shoulders, knees, and ankles.

Other common broken bones that may follow a slip and fall accident include:

• Fractures tailbone
• Fractured hips
• Fractured collarbone
• Shattered vertebrae
• Broken joints
• Dislocated joints
• Foot injuries

Shoulder, Arm & Wrist Injuries

Your upper extremities may bear the brunt of the damage if you have time to try catching yourself when you fall. Our instinct is to extend our arms and hands to slow our descent and reduce the risk of injury. As a result, shoulders, arms, and wrists can become damaged, leading to concerns about flexibility and strength.

Here are some common injuries that may affect your shoulder, arm, or wrist:

• Torn rotator cuff
• Dislocated shoulder
• Fractured wrist
• Sprained wrist
• Broken bones in the arm
• Broken fingers

Knee, Leg & Lower Body Injuries

Your lower appendages are also at risk in a slip and fall incident. Damage to your knees, legs, and other lower extremities can affect your ability to walk for weeks, months, or even years. Rehab and surgery may be necessary for these serious injuries in premises liability cases:

• Knee damage
• Torn ligaments
• Meniscus injuries
• Sprained ankle
• Muscle strains

Soft Tissue Injuries & Bruising

Soft tissue damage is another concern that can occur after you slip and fall due to someone else’s negligence. Soft tissue can include muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and organs. The results of these injuries may include swelling, pain, and substantial healing time.

Let’s examine some common injuries that affect your body’s soft tissue:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Bruising
• Torn muscles
• Torn ligaments or tendons

Cuts, Lacerations & Surface Injuries

The skin is the largest organ on the body, covering most of its surface. Damage to your skin can still be hazardous, especially if it results in significant bleeding, nerve damage, or infection. Impact with sharp or rough surfaces during a fall can cause deep cuts that may need stitches or even skin grafts.

Some slip and fall injuries that affect the skin layer include:

• Cuts
• Lacerations
• Abrasions
• Burns
• Punctures

Dental & Facial Injuries

When we face immediate danger, our instinct is often to throw up our arms and hands to cover our face or head. This protects some of our most vulnerable areas, especially on the face. Dental and facial injuries can be devastating, especially if they cause lifelong deformities or scars.

Here are some examples of injuries that may occur when you fall face-first, perhaps because of an unseen power cord that made you trip:

• Broken teeth
• Gum injuries
• Eye injuries
• Split lips
• Facial cuts
• Other dental injuries

Psychological Injuries

Even if the physical damage of a fall is not as serious, the incident can still take an emotional toll on your psyche. Many fall victims suffer conditions like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder because of their accidents. If they also experienced serious physical injuries, the impact on their lifestyle could increase the risk of psychological damage.

The mental health effects and trauma of slip and fall injuries can play a role in compensation for a personal injury claim.

Fatalities

In the most severe circumstances, the victim of a slip and fall incident may pass away, either at the scene or because of their injuries. In this case, a surviving family member may be eligible for a wrongful death lawsuit if the fall occurred on someone else’s property and negligence was involved.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?

Compensation in your lawsuit depends on the legal damages you suffered as a result of the accident. The two main categories of damages are economic and non-economic.

Economic damages in slip and fall cases may include lost wages, medical bills, therapy expenses, property damage, and future medical costs. Non-economic damages can include emotional distress, pain and suffering, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Which Slip and Fall Laws Govern Claims in Illinois?

The success of your slip and fall lawsuit may depend on the laws governing these claims in Illinois and the City of Chicago.

For example, the compensation you can recover in an Illinois slip and fall claim is governed by state law 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, which states that the victim must be no more than 50% responsible for their injuries to pursue compensation. The factor of their liability can also reduce that compensation.

Several other slip and fall laws will impact your premises liability claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Claim?

The statute of limitations under premises liability law in Illinois determines how long you have to file a claim. State law 735 ILCS 5/13-202 grants victims two years to seek legal damages for a slip and fall accident case.

How Insurance Companies Try to Deny Slip and Fall Claims

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts by challenging the legitimacy of a claim. Their goal is to protect their financial interests, not yours.

Common tactics used by insurers include:

• Claiming the hazard was open and obvious
• Arguing that the victim was distracted
• Blaming pre-existing medical conditions
• Disputing the seriousness of the injuries
• Alleging comparative negligence
• Delaying settlement negotiations
• Pressuring victims to accept low settlement offers

Having an experienced Chicago slip and fall attorney on your side can help level the playing field and improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation.

What Legal Duties Do Chicago Property Owners Have?

Property owners in Chicago have a reasonable duty to protect individuals who are lawfully on their property. Whether it is a business, private residence, or yard, owners must take reasonable care to prevent injuries to visitors.

If there are hazards present that cause a serious injury, the owner may be liable in a legal claim. This could also be true for a business owner if the injury occurs on company property.

How to Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Injury Case

If you suffer from a slip and fall injury, you could recover compensation via a slip and fall claim. Here are the steps you should follow to build a strong claim that can help you recover damages like lost income, medical bills, and emotional suffering.

• Seek medical attention for your injuries
• Call 911 if the situation is appropriate for emergency services
• Gather information from the property owner, witnesses, and other relevant parties
• Contact your insurance company if necessary
• Consult experienced premises liability lawyers for help with your personal injury claim
• Gather evidence and file your claim with the help of your slip and fall attorney

Consult Experienced Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyers!

At Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers, our experienced Chicago slip and fall lawyers are dedicated to helping injured victims build strong claims and recover the compensation they deserve. With decades of experience handling slip and fall injury cases throughout Chicago, our legal team aggressively pursues compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from dangerous property conditions.

We offer a free consultation, giving you the opportunity to discuss your case and understand your legal options before taking action. Our firm also works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless your Chicago slip and fall attorney successfully recovers compensation on your behalf.

Recognized by AVVO and trusted by clients across Illinois, our firm is committed to obtaining maximum compensation for victims suffering from slip and fall injuries, including soft tissue injuries, broken bones, dislocated joints, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall caused by negligence, contact our Chicago slip and fall lawyers today for a free case evaluation and let us fight for the justice and financial recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a valid slip and fall injury claim in Chicago?

You may have a valid claim if your slip and fall injuries were caused by a hazardous condition that a property owner knew about or should have reasonably addressed. A Chicago slip and fall lawyer can evaluate your case and determine whether negligence played a role in your accident.

What compensation can I recover after a slip and fall accident?

Victims of slip and fall injuries may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and other damages. The amount you recover will depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, most slip and fall injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Failing to meet this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation, so it is important to speak with an experienced Chicago slip and fall attorney as soon as possible.

What should I do immediately after suffering slip and fall injuries?

After a slip and fall accident, seek medical attention right away, report the incident to the property owner or manager, take photographs of the hazardous condition, gather witness information, and contact a slip and fall lawyer to protect your rights and preserve valuable evidence.

How much does it cost to hire a Chicago slip and fall lawyer?

Most Chicago slip and fall lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless your attorney successfully recovers compensation for your case. Many firms also offer a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Why should I hire an experienced slip and fall attorney?

An experienced slip and fall attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum compensation available. Having skilled legal representation often improves your chances of obtaining a favorable settlement or verdict.

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.