A fall can occur at any time and for almost any reason. For example, someone may fall when stepping in liquid, tumbling down a broken stair, or walking on an uneven platform. Landowners have a legal duty to prevent these injuries on their property. Unfortunately, proving fault after a slip and fall always lies on an injured victim’s shoulders. Therefore, many slip and fall cases become much more complicated than they appear on the surface.
If you fell and sustained injuries on someone else’s property, a Carpentersville slip and fall lawyer could help protect your legal rights in court. An experienced personal injury attorney could build a powerful negligence claim on your behalf and ensure the property owner is held accountable for their carelessness.
According to 735 ILCS 2/1116, landowners must take reasonable steps to protect guests, including implementing safeguards against slip and fall injuries. This concept originates from premises liability law.
A guest’s reason for entering the property and the owner’s motivations for inviting them are irrelevant in slip and fall claims. However, when trespassers or uninvited visitors come onto a person’s property without their permission, landowners are only required to refrain from causing intentional harm to the guest.
A skilled attorney in Carpentersville could explain the classes of visitors in premises liability law and how they may affect a plaintiff’s claim for damages. Likewise, a legal representative could evaluate the actions of landowners and determine if they violated a legal duty of care owed to an injured guest.
Slips and falls can be dangerous situations. Even a healthy individual can sustain a devastating injury in an unexpected fall. Often, these falls can put tremendous strain on a person’s joints or ligaments. In other cases, a slip could result in a severe brain injury if a person lands on their head. The most common injuries associated with slips and falls include:
Landowners who are liable for an incident that results in these injuries carry a legal burden to provide compensation to victims. However, many injured individuals suffer losses in addition to the need for medical care. In fact, most injuries have an emotional component, and plaintiffs can demand payments for mental trauma, flashbacks, and diminished quality of life.
Many of these incidents can also affect a plaintiff’s finances. For example, if a person misses time at work because their injuries prevent them from completing their job duties, they can demand that an at-fault defendant provide reimbursement for any lost wages. An injured victim could measure these losses with a legal team member’s assistance.
No matter how severe an individual’s injuries are, they have a limited time to file a personal injury claim. According to 735 ILCS 5/13-202, plaintiffs must file suit within two years of the date of injury to collect payment. A local lawyer could work to pursue claims within these time limits.
People who suffer from injuries following a slip and fall will most likely have many questions, including whether a reckless property owner is liable for their injuries. Many claims involve physical harm as well as financial and emotional losses that affect every aspect of a person’s life. However, an attorney could help these victims get their lives back in order by handling all legal proceedings.
A landowner negligent in protecting guests must pay for that visitor’s losses. A Carpentersville slip and fall lawyer could help prove this negligence and ensure a plaintiff gets the compensation they deserve. Contact a legal team member today to schedule an appointment.