Cook County Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

Lawyer for Injury Victims of Trip and Fall Accidents in Arlington Heights and Chicago

If you have fallen and suffered an injury on someone else's property, you may assume that you have only yourself to blame for your lack of coordination and awareness. However, in many cases, the negligence of a property owner contributes to a dangerous situation in which a slip, trip, and fall accident is likely to occur. Pursuing compensation from a liable property owner can be crucial in allowing you to recover the costs of your medical care and other losses related to your injuries.

An experienced attorney is a valuable asset when it comes to securing the compensation you deserve, and at Adler Law Offices, LTD., Attorney Charles Adler provides guidance and representation informed by a legal career spanning over 40 years. He will help you build a strong case to establish premises liability on the part of a property owner, and he will only charge an attorney fee if he achieves compensation through a settlement or trial.

What Causes Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents?

Various environmental factors in and around businesses, homes, and commercial residential properties can create slipping and tripping hazards. Some such hazards are created by an act of nature, while others are the result of the actions of a property owner or another person on the property. Some common examples include:

• Wet or slippery floor surfaces, including due to a spill or recent cleaning or waxing
• Accumulation of snow and ice on sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways
• Loose objects in walkways, including rugs, electrical cords, and accumulated debris
• Cracks, holes, steps, and other uneven floor or ground surfaces
• Insufficient handrails on ramps or stairways
• Poor lighting or visual obstructions that make it difficult to see a tripping or slipping hazard

A fall accident involving one of these hazards could result in only minor injuries, but the injuries could be much more severe depending on how a person lands and whether the fall happens at a substantial height, such as in a stairwell. Injuries may include strains and sprains, fractured or broken bones, and head and back injuries, some of which may be catastrophic. A person injured in a fall may be entitled to recovery for the same kinds of damages as in other personal injury cases involving negligence, including medical costs and short- and long-term effects on the injured person's work abilities, earning capacity, and quality of life.

Who is Liable for Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries?

In many cases, the question of who is at fault for injuries due to a fall is settled according to Illinois premises liability law. Under this law, a property owner may be responsible for any hazards on their premises that they are aware of or should be aware of, regardless of how the dangerous conditions came about. If you have been injured in a fall on another person's property, your attorney can work with you to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine whether the property owner is liable.

For example, a property owner could be responsible for failing to ensure that floors are clear and dry before opening for business or welcoming visitors, or for failing to perform repairs or maintenance that they know are necessary. Alternatively, provided that the risk of injury is not readily apparent to visitors to the property, the owner may be liable for not clearly identifying it, such as by blocking off the area or posting a warning sign. In some cases, a party other than the property owner could also be considered negligent, such as a property manager or an individual or business responsible for maintenance of the property.

Contact a Chicago Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

When someone else may be at fault, you do not have to deal with the effects of your slip, trip, and fall injuries on your own. We can help you pursue fair compensation for all damages you have suffered, starting when you contact us for a free consultation at either 847-394-0100 or 312-236-2700. From our offices in Arlington Heights and Chicago, we serve injury victims throughout Cook County and the surrounding areas, including Rolling Meadows, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Glenview, Skokie, and Wheeling.