Chicago Slip and Fall Attorneys
Slip and fall accidents are common throughout the United States but occur with particular frequency in the Chicago area. With aging infrastructure, and additional hazards caused by harsh winters, people living and working in Chicago are at a greater risk for slipping and falling than many other Americans.
At Parikh Law Group, LLC our experienced Chicago injury attorneys are very familiar with slip and fall cases, and we have an impressive track record of obtaining substantial compensation for victims of these incidents. Contact Parikh Law Group, LLC today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
What Should You Do After a Fall?
Slip and fall accidents often result in serious injuries. If you have recently suffered a fall, there are several steps you should take to ensure a swift and full recovery and increase your ability to obtain maximum compensation if negligence played a factor.
Seek Medical Attention
While many falls are minor, leaving only a few bruises, some falls result in injuries that may not be immediately visible. Falls can cause small broken bones, soft tissue damage, nerve damage, internal injuries, and brain or spinal trauma. It is important that you seek treatment and are diagnosed as quickly as possible, and that injuries sustained from the event are thoroughly documented. Keep your medical records in a safe place.
Report Your Fall
No matter where your fall occurs, you should report the incident to those in charge of maintaining the location, such as the city, property manager or homeowner. This will not only help to prevent others from slipping, but also give the property owner notice that you may be injured or in fact sustained an injury. If possible, submit your report in writing, and have a copy for your own records.
Document the Area
If possible, take photographs of the location where your fall occurred. You should also take detailed notes of what you recall. For example, was there a wet-floor and if so, was there a sign? Was the area well lit? Did any handrails seem loose, or were they missing entirely? Do this soon, while the events are still fresh in your mind. Be sure to include witness information if any exists. Also be sure to note the exact date and time of the incident and note whether any cameras or surveillance videos were at the location. Recorded evidence taken around the time of the events may play a key factor as your claim proceeds.
Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney
After receiving medical treatment and reporting your fall to the property manager, your next call should be to an experienced Chicago slip and fall attorney. As with other types of personal injuries in Illinois, slip and fall cases must be filed with the courts within two years of the accident. This is called the “statute of limitations.” However, in some cases timely notice to a city or county may be required as early as 6 months in order to be eligible to file an eventual claim. As such, you should consult with a lawyer as quickly as possible following your accident. The skilled legal team at Parikh Law Group, LLC will handle your case with compassion and care, and support you every step of the way.
Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago
Generally speaking, falls are a fairly common cause of accidental injury, but a few types of situations occur more frequently than others.
Negligent Maintenance and Upkeep
Chicago is known for its classic, iconic architecture. However, this means that many of the buildings within the city and surrounding area are quite old. As a result, keeping up with regular maintenance and staying apprised of building codes can be difficult for less diligent property owners, and thus the likelihood of falls increases. Falls due to negligent upkeep are often directly caused by:
- Broken or uneven walkways, stairs, or parking lots
- Missing or broken handrails
- Holes in the ground
- Objects protruding from the ground
- Defective doorways or porches
- Hazardous Conditions
Careless property owners and employees may also directly cause hazardous situations, leading to slips and falls. Any of the following are cause for concern:
- Wet floors from liquids (including rain, spills, and cleaners)
- Poorly lit walkways, stairs, or halls
- Improper snow or ice removal
- Ragged or uneven carpeting
- Loose cords or other materials in walkways
Chicago Winters
Chicago has an average snowfall of nearly 40 inches, meaning our winters are wet and cold. This is a prime time for slips and falls. If your fall happened because of natural accumulation of snow or ice, it may not be possible to sue the property owner. However, if you fell because of improper snow removal (a pile of snow in an unsafe spot, for example), or because of an unnatural accumulation of ice (from a negligently placed drain or gutter), you may be able to recover damages from the property owner.
Every case is different, and the facts surrounding your fall are unique. That’s why it is so critical to consult with an experienced slip and fall attorney familiar with Illinois law. Contact Parikh Law Group, LLC to determine how to proceed.
Who is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall?
Victims of a slip and fall accident may feel embarrassed, or believe they are at fault or contributed to their injuries. However, a thorough investigation may be warranted to determine all the facts surrounding your fall.
Property owners have an obligation to keep their property in good shape, and to warn or protect others from unsafe conditions. In order to bring a successful lawsuit against a negligent property owner, however, you must be able to show that they owed a duty, knew or should have known about the danger that caused your fall, and that they failed to take reasonable steps to warn or protect you from that danger.
Other parties, such as a contractor or maintenance worker, may also be liable if they were negligent in repairing or maintaining a property. An attorney familiar with slips and falls in Chicago will be able to gather evidence, determine fault, and position you for the best possible outcome.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you have been injured following a slip and fall accident, the knowledgeable slip and fall lawyers at Parikh Law Group, LLC can help. We will thoroughly analyze your case to determine the best legal strategy and remain by your side throughout the entire process. The only thing you should be focused on is healing. Contact Parikh Law Group, LLC today for a free and confidential consultation about your case. Our multilingual staff speak English, Spanish, Hindi, Gujarati, and Farsi.
