If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Chicago, it’s vital to seek the help of an experienced slip and fall injury attorney.
Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can have long-term consequences, affecting your ability to work and enjoy life.
Stein & Shulman, LLC is dedicated to fighting for the rights of slip and fall victims throughout Chicago and Lake County. We understand the challenges that slip and fall accident victims face, and our team will fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today if you have suffered injuries or other losses due to a slip and fall accident.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen when you least expect them, and the consequences can be catastrophic. Some familiar places where you or a loved one may experience a slip and fall injury include:
- Retail stores
- Workplace settings
- Hotels
- Public parks
- Restaurants
- Sidewalks
And while there may be many causes for a slip and fall, negligent behaviors of another party are major contributors to these types of accidents.
Some examples of conditions that can result in a slip and fall include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Cracked or uneven flooring
- Poor lighting and visibility
- Obstructed walkways
- Loose or missing floor mats
- Ice or snow on sidewalks
When it comes to private and public property, owners and property managers have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for others. If floor conditions present a hazard, these parties may be liable for injuries that occur.
How Chicago’s Weather Conditions Affect Slip and Fall Accidents
If you live in Chicago, you know how icy and wet conditions can become. Environmental conditions can make sidewalks, parking lots, and other outdoor surfaces extremely hazardous. Slip and fall accidents on ice can result in some of the most severe falls, resulting in injuries such as:
Property owners must take reasonable steps to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots, and other outdoor surfaces. Whenever they fail to do so, this can be a strong indicator of legal negligence.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help
When you are injured due to someone’s negligence, a personal injury attorney is your best resource for recovering damages and holding the responsible party accountable.
Stores, restaurants, private property owners, and employers are responsible for ensuring their premises are safe and free of any potential hazards. As such, Illinois law is on your side when they breach this duty and you sustain an injury as a result.
Personal injury attorneys will work in a variety of ways to prepare your claim, including:
- Investigating and reviewing evidence
- Talking to witnesses
- Conducting additional investigations
- Consulting with experts in slips and falls
- Reviewing medical records
- Negotiating with insurance companies
Although most slip and fall claims get settled out of court, a trial may be required in some situations.
Recovering Damages from a Lake County Slip and Fall
Depending on the losses in question, your attorney will look for different ways to recover your financial and non-economic losses after a slip and fall. Some of the most common losses that a personal injury attorney can recover compensation for include:
Medical Expenses
Slip and fall accidents can result in thousands of dollars in medical expenses, especially for victims who lack adequate health coverage. Typically, slip and fall claims will look to recover the cost of any medical treatments you had to pay for, such as:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
Your attorney will develop a comprehensive claim that includes evidence like hospital bills, medical records, and letters from healthcare professionals.
Lost Wages
If you’ve had to miss work because of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages.
Victims may be unable to work for many weeks or even months after a slip and fall. Lost wages can put victims in precarious financial situations, and negligent parties should be held responsible. You may be able to recover the income you missed out on while you healed from your injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the medical bills associated with slips and falls, these accidents can cause physical pain, emotional distress, depression, and a decreased quality of life. Although there’s no price tag on pain and suffering, the courts allow victims to pursue damages based on these intangibles.
Contact a Lake County Slip and Fall Attorney Today
From broken bones and concussions to nerve damage and permanent disabilities, slip and fall accidents threaten residents of all ages across Chicago and Lake County. A Chicago personal injury attorney from Stein & Shulman, LLC can protect your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm you suffered. Our team has over five decades of combined experience fighting for accident victims. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
