Premises liability law is an area of personal injury law that deals specifically with property-related accidents. If you were seriously injured at a private residence, business, government building, school, or any other property or facility in Illinois (other than your own home), seeking just compensation will most likely involve hiring a lawyer to file a premises liability claim on your behalf.
Several types of cases fall under premises liability law in Illinois. For example:
Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common causes of premises-related injuries. Whether you slipped due to a spill, ice or snow, recently cleaned floor, or any other hazardous property condition, you should talk to a lawyer about filing a premises liability claim against the property owner or tenant.
Trip-and-fall accidents are common as well. Everything from unmarked curbs to cracked sidewalks and protruding roots can cause sudden and unexpected falls resulting in serious injuries. As property owners have a duty to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for visitors and guests, trip-and-fall accidents will give rise to premises liability claims in many cases.
Falls from heights can be extremely dangerous, and they can result from various types of property-related hazards. Missing railings, loose handrails, inadequate warning signs, and other issues can all entitle fall victims to just compensation.
Accidents involving elevators and escalators also fall under premises liability law in many cases (though in some cases they will give rise to product liability claims instead). If a property owner has failed to conduct necessary inspections or maintenance, or if a business has failed to restrict access to a malfunctioning elevator or escalator, each of these issues can potentially justify a claim for just compensation.
Swimming pool accidents can be extremely dangerous—and, precisely for this reason, property owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent these accidents from occurring. Inadequate fencing, inadequate supervision, missing signage, and various other issues can give rise to premises liability claims arising out of swimming pool accidents in Illinois.
Falling objects at stores, construction sites, and other premises can cause brain trauma and other serious injuries. Here too, due to the risks involved, property owners and tenants have an obligation to ensure that they take adequate measures to prevent these accidents from occurring.
Incidents involving negligent security also fall under premises liability law in Illinois. From failing to install locks and fences to hiring unqualified security guards, there are several forms of negligent security that can trigger property owners’ and tenants’ liability for incidents on their premises.
Under Illinois’s premises liability laws, all types of property owners and tenants can be held liable for injuries occurring on their premises. As a result, no matter where you got injured, you should speak with a lawyer about your legal rights. Some examples of the parties that can be held responsible for victims’ injuries in premises liability cases include:
If you think you may have a premises liability case, there are some steps you should take promptly. Most importantly, you should seek treatment for your injuries right away. You should also write down as many details as you can remember, and you should schedule a free consultation with a premises liability lawyer as soon as possible.
When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will thoroughly evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident or incident to determine if you have a case under Illinois’s premises liability laws. If you do, your lawyer will fight to recover just compensation on your behalf. In most cases, this will involve negotiating a settlement with the property owner or tenant’s insurance company, though going to court will occasionally be necessary.
If you have suffered serious injuries in any type of premises-related accident, you will want to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights as soon as possible.
To schedule a free consultation with a premises liability lawyer at Coplan + Crane, please call 708-358-8080 or contact us online today. We serve clients across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.
