Experienced Attorney Handling Premises Liability Cases on Behalf of Clients in Cook County
When you shop at a store, go to the doctor’s office, or visit another person’s property, you trust that it is safe. However, what happens if you slip and fall while on someone else’s property? Are they responsible for your injuries? Will the property owner claim that you were at fault? At Fotopoulos Law Office, we regularly represent clients who were injured at grocery stores, shopping centers, medical offices, sports arenas, and more. Our experienced personal injury attorney has successfully handled countless slip and fall cases, and we look forward to discussing how we can help you receive the compensation you deserve for what you have been through.
What Are Slip and Fall Injuries?
A slip and fall case is a type of premises liability claim in which a visitor who was injured on someone else’s property seeks financial compensation from the owner of the property where their injury occurred. Slip and fall cases fall under the larger umbrella of premises liability cases, and they are based on the legal theory of negligence.
As a general rule, property owners owe a legal duty to those they invite upon their land. A land owner’s invitation can be made expressly or it can be implied based on the surrounding circumstances. For example, in a store that is open to the public, the owner has given implied permission for people to enter and use the property. Under Illinois law, the reason for a guest’s visit is not important, as long as they are on the property with permission. All property owners must exercise reasonable care in ensuring their property is safe for visitors.
What Are a Business’s Duties to its Customers?
While slip and fall cases can arise anywhere, many of these accidents happen at supermarkets, home improvement stores, shopping malls, and other businesses. These businesses must exercise reasonable care in keeping their property safe. Generally, this includes fixing any and all known dangers on the property and warning customers about hazards that could potentially lead to injuries. For example, grocery stores must clean up spilled liquids when they learn about the spill. Additionally, the grocery store should place “wet floor” signs in areas where floors may present slipping hazards that could lead to injuries.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act clarifies that certain duties fall outside the scope of those owed to customers:
- Businesses are not liable for injuries resulting from falls caused by “open and obvious” hazards.
- Businesses are not liable for injuries caused by defects they did not know about.
- Businesses are not liable for injuries related to a guest’s misuse of the property.
In most Illinois slip and fall cases, businesses will attempt to defend against an accident victim’s claim by asserting that the hazard was “open and obvious” or that they lacked knowledge of the specific danger causing the victim’s injuries. To overcome these claims, it is important to work with a personal injury attorney who can demonstrate that the negligence of a business or its staff was directly responsible for the injuries suffered in a slip and fall accident.
Damages in Slip and Fall Cases
Accident victims who successfully pursue slip and fall claims in Illinois can recover financial compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the out-of-pocket expenses or other financial losses that occurred because of the accident, as well as the money a person could have earned if they had not been injured. Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Decrease in a victim’s ability to earn an income in the future
On the other hand, non-economic damages provide compensation for the emotional impact that the accident had on a victim’s life, and they may include:
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of familial relationships
- Disability and disfigurement
Both economic and non-economic damages are critical to a full recovery. However, establishing non-economic damages is typically more difficult, because doing so requires accident victims to tell a compelling story about how the accident impacted their lives. For example, what activities did you previously enjoy that you can no longer participate in because of your injuries? Did you miss out on any important family events or milestones while you were recovering? Are you suffering from long-term mental health issues related to your injuries and the resulting limitations you have experienced? Answers to these questions will help your attorney create a compelling case to recover the maximum amount of damages possible in your case.
Contact a Joliet Slip and Fall Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries while on another’s property, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. At Fotopoulos Law Office, we have extensive, hands-on experience helping accident victims and their families recover the compensation they need to move on with their lives. To schedule a free consultation with a Will County slip and fall lawyer, contact us today by calling 708-942-8400. Because we accept all premises liability cases on a contingency basis, we will not bill you for our services unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We handle cases in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, and the surrounding areas.
