While a slip and fall may seem minor, you can experience serious injuries. If you have been hurt on someone else’s property because of its hazardous condition, you should be compensated for your injuries. 

Slips and fall injuries should be attended to both medically and legally. If you suffered injuries in this manner, speak with a Waukegan slip and fall lawyer immediately. 

Fast Facts

Data on slip and fall occurrences reveal the following:

When we step onto someone else's property, whether it's a store, a friend's house, or a public place, we often take for granted that the environment will be safe. However, accidents can happen anywhere, and if they occur due to the property owner's negligence, it typically falls under the legal concept of premises liability. In these instances, it's best to discuss your accident and injuries with a skilled Richmond premises liability injury lawyer.

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility that property owners and occupants have to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. Premises liability injuries have legal implications for both property owners and injured parties. Here are some of the most common premise liability accidents and injuries in Illinois. 

Slips and Falls

Slip and fall accidents are among the most prevalent types of premises liability injuries. These occur when a person loses their balance due to slippery or uneven surfaces. This could be a wet floor in a supermarket, a poorly maintained walkway, or icy steps. 

It is that time of year again. Sidewalks are covered in snow and ice, floors are wet with melted snow, and the potential for a slip and fall accident is greater than ever. Winter weather can be extremely dangerous for a number of reasons, but fall accidents can be especially harmful to elderly people and those in poor health.

Slipping and falling can lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal organ injuries, back injuries, and other painful consequences. Although Illinois law generally allows slip and fall accident victims to pursue financial compensation for their injuries, there are special laws regarding injuries related to snow and ice.

Natural Accumulation of Snow and Ice Versus Unnatural Accumulation

Most people agree that shoveling the sidewalk and keeping your property free of ice is part of being a good neighbor or a responsible business owner. However, property owners are not always liable for snow and ice injuries on their property. If a fall accident is caused by a “natural accumulation” of snow or ice, the property owner is usually not liable. However, if a fall occurs because of an unnatural accumulation of snow or ice, the property owner may be liable for damages.

If you or a loved one have been injured on someone else’s property, it may be in your best interest to seek legal help. A premises liability claim is used to pursue damages and losses caused by an injury sustained on someone else’s property. This type of claim may involve a slip and fall accident, dog bite, fire, or any other injury caused by a dangerous condition on a property. This blog will outline the basics of navigating a premises liability claim. 

Step 1: Determine Who Is Responsible for Your Injury 

The first step when navigating a premises liability claim is determining who is liable for your injury. Generally, the owner of the property can be held responsible if they knew about the hazard or should have known about the hazard. Any hazards should be fixed promptly or the owner must warn visitors of potential hazards. It’s important to identify who is responsible, however this is not always easy. The at-fault party may be the property owner, property manager, or another entity. A premises liability attorney can help identify who is legally responsible for the injury. You may be able to take legal action against them in order to receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. 

Step 2: Gather Evidence & Documentation  

The next step in handling a claim for premises liability is gathering evidence and documentation. It’s important that you have proof of negligence from the property owner or other at-fault party in order for your case to be successful. This includes photographs of the hazardous area and witness testimonies from anyone who saw what happened at the time of your injury. It may include copies of medical documents that detail your injuries and treatment plan. You should also have access to doctor’s notes stating how long it will take for recovery. 

Slipping and falling can be very serious. People who slip and fall typically land squarely on their back or tailbone, often hitting the back of their heads on a hard surface. Concussions or even more serious brain injuries can occur. So can major spinal cord or neck injuries. While it may be funny in a sitcom, slipping and falling in real life is no laughing matter. It is important for everyone to know what to do if they experience a slip-and-fall. Taking the right steps, both immediately at the scene and in the following days, can not only help your case but can also help you prevent further injury. Our attorneys can offer you more specific advice based on your own unique case.

Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall

In roughly chronological order, the steps you should take after slipping and falling include:

• Stay down - Do not try to get up until the paramedics arrive. Do not let anyone except the paramedics try to move you. If you have a suspected neck or back injury, you will need to be stabilized with braces before you can be transported to the hospital. Trying to get up on your own can worsen an existing injury. Do call EMS even if you are not sure whether you have been seriously injured.
• Document - Have someone take pictures of everything around the area where you fell. Be thorough. Try to capture anything that has to do with your fall, such as a wet floor sign (or the conspicuous lack thereof), and of course, the substance you slipped on.
• Call an attorney - Do not skip this very important step. It is best to make the call the same day the accident happens if possible. A lawyer can offer you further guidance. Just as you should not get up until EMS arrives, you should not negotiate with the store manager or anyone else until you can speak with an attorney.

What Not to Do After a Slip-and-Fall

You should also know what not to do after a slip-and-fall. One of the main things you need to avoid doing is accepting any responsibility for the accident. Out of conditioned politeness, your instinct might be to say something like, “It is okay, it was my fault. I was not paying attention,” Unfortunately, saying something like this right after an accident could affect your case.