A slip and fall accident is a term used in a personal injury case when someone slips and injures themselves on another party’s property. A slip and fall accident is caused by a defect, dangerous condition, or a slippery substance on the floor.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you might be entitled to compensation. A skilled lawyer with experience in Chicago slip and fall cases could help you with recovering damages. Call today and schedule a consultation with a seasoned slip and fall lawyer today.
Common Fact Patterns Surrounding Slip and Fall Cases
Common scenarios that could lead to a slip and fall accident in Chicago might be ice on the ground outside of a storefront, a floor hazard, or spills of liquid, oil, or grease. In Chicago, the most common causes are wet floors or slipping on ice from outside.
The most common injuries in Chicago slip and fall cases include:
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments
- Head injuries
Following a slip and fall accident, it is critical for the individual to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Parties Involved in a Slip and Fall Case
The plaintiff in a slip and fall case is the individual who slipped and fell and was injured as a result of the incident. The property owner is the person or entity that owns the property where the incident occurred. Other parties may include the person or entity that exercises control over the premises. For example, if the person slipped and fell on ice in a store parking lot, the store may have contracted with a business to take care of the parking lot. Usually, the two parties are the individual who slipped and fell and the owner of the property.
Establishing Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
In a Chicago slip and fall case, the injured party’s lawyer must prove that the property owner had a duty to the person who slipped and fell, they breached their duty, and the injuries of the individual who slipped and fell were caused by the conditions at the accident site.
To prove liability, it is crucial to gather and preserve evidence as soon as possible. The evidence available in a slip and fall case includes photos, video footage, and witness statements.
Does Age Impact a Slip and Fall Case?
A person’s age is usually not a determinative factor in a slip and fall case. If someone has a small child who is running around and then slips on ice, the defense may argue that the child should not have been running in an icy parking lot. The same argument could be made with an elderly person. However, the property owner still has a duty to keep their premises safe for visitors.
Court for Slip and Fall Cases
Chicago slip and fall cases are usually heard in state court. A slip and fall case could be heard in federal court if it has jurisdiction because the case falls under federal law. Where a case is heard depends on the facts of each individual case.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, contact an accomplished lawyer today. An attorney could help you recover the damages that you deserve.