Kane County Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for People Injured in Fall Accidents in South Elgin, IL

Some slip-and-fall incidents may be minor, resulting in little more than bumps, bruises, or scrapes when a person loses their footing and falls to the ground. However, other fall accidents can be quite serious or even deadly. According to the World Health Organization, falls are a leading cause of death worldwide, with over 684,000 casualties annually and more than 37 million cases where injuries are severe enough to require medical care.

When victims of slip-and-fall accidents suffer serious harm, they will need to understand their legal options. Even though the injuries in these cases may be accidental in nature, they can have serious ramifications for victims, who may experience financial losses, physical pain, and emotional trauma. Claims related to slip-and-fall injuries will be based on negligence, which is a failure to exercise care for others in a manner that would be considered reasonable based on the circumstances. A negligent party who was responsible for an injury may be held liable for the victim's damages.

If you have fallen and suffered an injury due to dangerous conditions on another person's property, consult the lawyers at Ariano Hardy Ritt Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. to learn about your legal options. We provide representation in personal injury cases in Kane County and throughout the Fox River Valley area. We know how to help injury victims obtain compensation that will fully address the damages they have suffered due to the negligence of others.

The Impact of Slip-and-Fall Accidents

When a person slips or trips and falls down, they may experience multiple forms of bodily harm. Some of the most serious injuries that victims may experience in these situations are those that impact the brain. Traumatic brain injuries can occur when a person's head hits either the floor or some object while in the act of falling. Falls may lead to concussions, memory impairment, strokes, comas, or even death.

Other serious problems affecting victims of slip-and-fall accidents may involve the back or neck regions, including slipped discs and nerve damage. Back and neck injuries can lead to chronic health issues that may last for months or years. Older victims who have deficiencies in bone strength may suffer broken bones in parts of the body such as the hips. Sprained or dislocated joints or other soft tissue injuries may also occur in these situations.

Proving Liability for a Slip-and-Fall Accident

In order to recover compensation in a premises liability case, there are three key issues that the injured party must demonstrate:

1. The property had a dangerous or hazardous condition that the owner was aware of (or should have been).
2. This dangerous or hazardous condition was not clearly or obviously apparent.
3. The owner or occupier failed to correct the condition or warn visitors about potential risks.

In Illinois slip-and-fall cases, the statute of limitations is consistent with all other personal injury cases, and claims must generally be made within two years after an injury took place. For this reason, it is important to get legal help from an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a slip-and-fall incident.

Related Slip-and-Fall Laws

The state of Illinois has enacted legislation to protect injury victims, including:

• Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act: The state encourages property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice whenever possible. People who remove or attempt to remove snow or ice from their sidewalk areas generally may not be held liable for injuries that result from these conditions. However, when there are unnatural accumulations of snow or ice in walkways that occurred because of negligence, a property owner could be held liable for injuries caused by these conditions.
• Illinois Bowling Center Act: Operators of bowling centers generally may not be held liable for injuries resulting from slip-and-fall type accidents on their property. Operators are required to post appropriate notices warning people about the risks of injury.

Contact Our Kane County Slip-and-Fall Injury Attorneys

When slip-and-fall accidents take place because of negligence, injury victims will need to understand their legal options. For over three decades, the lawyers at Ariano Hardy Ritt Richmond Lytle & Goettel P.C. have represented injury victims in cases involving accidents. We work to protect the rights of our clients and help them obtain the compensation they deserve. To work with an accident attorney who will aggressively pursue compensation for you, contact our South Elgin slip-and-fall accident lawyers at 847-695-2400.