According to the Centers for Disease Control, injuries from falling cost Americans billions of dollars every year. While some falls are truly accidents and cannot be avoided, others can be, especially those caused by property owners who do not shovel their icy or snowy sidewalks or stores who fail to clean up spills in a timely manner. When your injuries are caused by the negligence of a property owner, you should not be held liable for your damages. If you have a slip and fall injury that may have been avoidable if a property owner had taken better care of the property, you may want to consult with a DuPage County slip and fall lawyer to learn more about your legal rights. Depending on the situation surrounding your slip and fall, a dedicated personal injury attorney may be able to help you pursue compensation for your damages, including lost wages and medical bills.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen in nearly any setting for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Poor lighting
- Slick or wet floors
- Broken or uneven sidewalks
- Torn or frayed carpet
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Icy or snowy sidewalks
Slip and fall accidents can cause a range of injuries, from minor bruising to traumatic brain injuries or even death. Broken bones, including legs and hips are common with falls. Fortunately, all these damages may be compensable through a civil suit if certain qualifying elements are met.
DuPage County Slip and Fall Laws
As detailed in 740 ILCS 130, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, parties who are legally on the property of another are owed a duty of care by the property owner or occupier. More specifically, owners and occupiers have a duty to keep the property in a safe condition and to make timely repairs or changes when there are unsafe conditions, or at the very least, warn those on the property about the dangerous conditions. If an injury occurs due to the negligence of a property owner, a victim may want to consider hiring a seasoned DuPage County slip and fall attorney to represent their interests.
Filing Time Limits
Victims of slip and fall accidents should be aware of the Illinois statute of limitations found in 735 ILCS 5/13-202. This law gives victims only two years from the date of their accident to file a civil lawsuit to seek compensation or their damages.
If a claim is not filed within the statute of limitations provided, the victim would most likely forever lose their right to seek compensation for their injuries. This makes consulting with a DuPage County slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after such an injury potentially very important.
Speaking with a DuPage County Slip and Fall Attorney
If you were injured in a slip and fall case, a qualified attorney may be able to go to work seeking justice for you. They could attempt to determine all sources of potential compensation for you and fervently challenge any efforts by the property owner or occupier—or their insurance company—to blame you for your injuries and deny you payments or reduce the amount of damages they owe you.
Your DuPage County slip and fall lawyer could stand by your side during this challenging time of life to provide you with the representation you deserve. Contact today to schedule a case evaluation and learn more about the services available to you.