Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer

A sudden slip and fall can change your life in seconds. One moment, you are walking through a grocery store, and the next, you have an injury. These accidents happen daily across   Illinois in shopping centers, apartment buildings, restaurants, and workplaces.

At Cooney & Conway, our experienced slip-and-fall lawyers are prepared to help you understand your rights. Our legal team is deeply committed to helping you pursue full compensation for your medical costs and other damages. We understand Illinois premises liability laws and how to build strong cases that prove negligence. With the right legal team, you can focus on healing while our firm handles the complex legal process to secure the settlement you deserve.

Call our law firm today for a free consultation: (800) 322-5573.

How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Slip-and-Fall Injury Case in Illinois?

After sustaining a slip-and-fall injury, the law requires you, or your attorney, to prove your case. In Illinois, there are several legal elements that must be considered to determine the legitimacy of your claim.

• Property Owner Owed You a Duty of Care: In Illinois, you need to establish that the landowner owes you a legal duty. All property owners owe legal visitors on their property a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition.
• Legal Duty Was Breached: Your attorney must be able to show that the property owner violated the legal duty by not properly maintaining their premises.
• Causation: The breached duty of care directly caused the slip and fall incident that injured you.
• Damages Resulted: You must have sustained real damages as a result of the slip-and-fall incident, such as lost wages, medical costs, or damaged personal property.

How Much Could My Chicago Slip-and-Fall Case Be Worth? The value of your slip and fall case depends on several factors specific to your situation. Our attorneys help you pursue compensation for:

• Emergency treatment, doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical expenses
• Lost wages during your recovery period
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit future income
• Physical pain and discomfort resulting from your injuries
• Emotional distress, including anxiety or depression after the accident
• Disfigurement or permanent scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of normal activities
• Medical equipment and home modifications needed for recovery
• Transportation costs to medical appointments

Every slip and fall case is unique. Our attorneys carefully evaluate all aspects of your situation to determine fair compensation for your specific injuries and losses.

Who May Be Liable for My Injuries After a Slip and Fall in Chicago?

Determining liability represents a crucial aspect of your case. Multiple parties may bear responsibility:

Property Owners

Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors. Their liability typically depends on whether they created the dangerous condition, knew about the hazard but failed to address it, or should have discovered the condition through reasonable inspections.

Business Operators and Tenants

Businesses operating on a property often bear responsibility for maintaining safe conditions within their leased space. Retail stores must maintain safe shopping environments. Restaurants must address spills and maintain clean surfaces. Office buildings must maintain common areas and walkways.

Property Management Companies

When property owners hire management companies, these entities may share liability. They typically handle inspection and maintenance responsibilities, supervise cleaning and safety protocols, and address reported hazards.

Landlords

For residential properties, landlords may be liable when they fail to repair known dangerous conditions, violate building codes or safety regulations, or breach lease terms regarding property maintenance.

What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

• Winter Weather Conditions: winters create hazardous conditions with temperatures averaging 24-28 degrees. Property owners must address unnatural snow/ice accumulations caused by improper snow piling or inadequate drainage.
• Slippery Surfaces: The leading cause of falls. Hazards include freshly mopped floors without warning signs, retail spills, tracked-in precipitation, and highly polished surfaces.
• Poor Lighting: Building codes require adequate illumination in walkways, parking structures, stairwells, and hallways to help visitors spot potential hazards.
• Improper Flooring: Some materials like glossy tiles and marble are inherently slippery. High-traffic or wet-prone areas require roughened, slip-resistant surfaces.

Where Do Slip-and-Fall Accidents Often Happen?

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but our attorneys frequently handle cases from these locations:

• Retail Settings: Grocery stores (wet floors in produce sections), shopping malls (entrances during rain/snow), and department stores (merchandise in walkways)
• Workplaces: Office buildings (freshly mopped floors), warehouses (changing floor surfaces), and construction sites (debris and materials)
• Residential Properties: Apartment building common areas, stairwells with inadequate handrails, and poorly maintained walkways
• Restaurants: Dining areas with spilled food/drinks, kitchen entrances with water/grease tracked through, and restrooms with wet floors
• Public Spaces: City sidewalks (especially during winter), parks, government buildings, and public transportation stations

Does It Matter if a Slip and Fall Happens on Private Property Vs. Public Property?

Yes, whether your slip-and-fall accident occurs on private or public property in Chicago matters significantly. The distinction affects several essential aspects of your personal injury claim, including liability standards, procedural requirements, recovery limits, and the timeline for pursuing compensation.

These differences impact case strategy, timeline, and potential recovery, making it essential to consult with an attorney familiar with the specific requirements for your accident location.

Evidence for a Compelling Slip-and-Fall Injury Case

Our attorneys help you gather the critical evidence needed to prove liability:

• Scene Documentation: Photos of and around the hazardous condition and any missing warning signs
• Medical Evidence: Records linking your injuries directly to the accident
• Witness Testimony: Statements from people who saw your fall or knew about the dangerous condition
• Maintenance Records: Documentation showing property owner negligence in addressing known hazards

How Long Do I Have to File a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit?

In Illinois, you have a limited time to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit. Victims must understand these time limits, as failing to file within the specific period could result in losing their right to pursue compensation.

Standard slip-and-fall cases in Illinois generally have a two-year statute of limitations. This means you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible. The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall lawsuit against a governmental entity, like a city or state agency, is generally one year from the date of the injury.

Call Cooney & Conway After a Chicago Slip-and-Fall Incident. Our Firm Is Here To Help

When facing the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident, the legal representation you choose can make all the difference in your recovery, both physically and financially.

At Cooney & Conway, we have over 60 years of experience helping clients get compensation for their injuries and damages.

Need legal help? Call our Chicago slip-and-fall injury lawyers today: (800) 322-5573.