Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer

Full and Fair Compensation for Victims of Slip and Fall Injuries in Chicago

At Chicago Injury Center, we know how quickly a slip and fall incident can change the course of your life. A simple trip on a cracked sidewalk or a fall on a wet floor inside a business can lead to serious injury, overwhelming medical expenses, and time away from work. A Chicago slip and fall lawyer from our law firm can help you recover compensation and hold negligent property owners accountable.

Slip and Fall Settlements Recovered by Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Chicago

$4,000,000 Settlement – Robert suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury after a slip and fall incident during a hospital stay. We proved that the facility ignored fall prevention protocols.

$1,200,000 Settlement – Linda slipped on spilled food in a Chicago retail store, suffering a severe arm fracture. We revealed that staff had ignored the hazard.

$835,100 Settlement – Marcus fell down unsafe stairs in his West Side apartment building, sustaining back and knee injuries. We proved that the property owner had neglected repeated complaints.

Why We Are the Best Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyers for Your Case

At Chicago Injury Center, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping fall victims seek compensation after serious slip and fall injuries. Recognized by Super Lawyers and having a 10/10 rating on Avvo, our law firm is trusted for securing fair settlements for injured victims. We have secured millions for accident victims hurt in stores, hospitals, apartment complexes, and other properties.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago?

Slip and fall accidents in Chicago often occur because property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. Hazards like wet or slippery floors, cracked sidewalks, broken railings, poor lighting, and unsecured rugs frequently lead to fall injuries. In restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses, spilled liquids or cluttered walkways are common causes of slip and fall incidents. During winter, icy parking lots and snow-covered entryways add even greater risks.

What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries?

Slip and fall accidents in Chicago can cause injuries ranging from minor bruises to life-threatening conditions. Broken bones are among the most frequent results of falls, including fractures to the wrists, hip fractures, or fractured tailbones, often seen in older adults or those who land on hard surfaces. A traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, may occur when the head strikes the ground, leading to dizziness, memory problems, or permanent disability. Spinal cord damage, dislocated shoulders, and knee injuries are also common in falls. Even soft tissue injuries like sprains or strained muscles can bring lasting physical pain.

What Damages Can Slip and Fall Accident Victims Recover in Chicago?

Injured victims of a slip and fall accident in Chicago may be able to seek compensation for several types of damages. Economic damages often include payment for medical bills, future treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages caused by time away from work.

Non-economic damages address the personal effects of fall injuries, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. In certain cases involving reckless conduct, punitive damages may also apply to punish property owners for their misconduct and to discourage similar behavior in the future.

What Is the Average Slip and Fall Payout in Chicago?

According to Law.com’s VerdictSearch, the average settlement or verdict after a slip and fall accident in Chicago is $417,194, while the median award is $181,250.

Several factors influence the value of a slip and fall accident claim, including:

• Severity of the injury
• Medical expenses and anticipated future treatment needs
• Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
• Liability
• The strength of evidence in proving negligence
• Whether the case ends in a settlement, a verdict, or a court judgment

Why You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall accident cases often involve more challenges than people expect. Property owners and insurance companies may dispute fault, minimize injuries, or delay payment. To succeed in a slip and fall lawsuit, victims need strong evidence showing the property owner failed to correct dangerous conditions.

Gathering records, witness statements, and proof of negligence must be done quickly and correctly under Illinois law. Since Cook County courts enforce strict deadlines, working with an experienced slip and fall lawyer gives fall victims the best chance to recover compensation and secure a fair settlement.

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago?

OSHA records from Chicago’s North and South Area Offices report seven severe falls since 2020, including three fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25 slips, trips, and falls in 2023 accounted for 17% of all workplace fatalities in Illinois.

Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen Most Often in Chicago?

Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere throughout Chicago, but some locations carry higher risks than others.

Grocery stores and large retailers such as Jewel-Osco, Walmart, and Target often see slip and fall incidents caused by spilled liquids or slippery floors. Apartment buildings and condominiums in areas like Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, and the West Side frequently face accidents tied to broken stairways, icy entrances, or inadequate lighting.

Public sidewalks near CTA stations and busy intersections like State and Madison or Michigan Avenue are also common sites for falls. Workplaces such as Rush University Medical Center, Chicago Public Schools, and local warehouses also report serious fall incidents.

What Laws Govern Slip and Fall Claims in Chicago?

The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130) requires property owners and occupiers to exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions for individuals lawfully on their property. If someone suffers an injury because the owner failed to correct hazards or provide warnings, the injured victim may pursue a lawsuit.

Title 10 of Chicago’s Municipal Code places specific duties for maintaining sidewalks, walkways, and adjacent property areas. When accidents happen because of snow, ice, or structural hazards being ignored, property owners may face liability.

A key case that shaped Illinois slip and fall law is Reed v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 298 Ill. App. 3d 712 (1998), where the court held that businesses can be responsible for slip and fall injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known existed. This decision reinforced the duty of owners to regularly inspect their premises and protect customers from dangerous conditions.

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

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most slip and fall lawsuits in Chicago must be filed within two years of the incident. Claims involving government property, such as CTA stations or city sidewalks, special notice requirements, and shorter timelines may apply. A slip and fall lawyer can ensure your claim is filed on time.

Who Is Legally Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago?

Liability for a slip and fall accident in Chicago depends on who was responsible for the property where the fall incident occurred. Parties that may be held accountable include:

• Property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions
• Landlords or management companies that neglect stairways, hallways, or other common areas
• Business owners who ignore spills or hazards inside stores and restaurants
• Government agencies responsible for sidewalks, CTA stations, or other public walkways (with strict rules and shorter deadlines)
• Contractors or maintenance crews handling snow removal, lighting, or repairs

Every slip and fall case requires showing that the responsible party knew–or should have known–about the danger but failed to act. Our slip and fall lawyers can investigate your claim and pursue full compensation.

How Do You Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Incident?

In order to succeed in a Chicago slip and fall case, your attorney must establish four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. First, you must establish that the negligent party had a legal duty to keep the premises reasonably safe for visitors. Then, you must prove they breached that duty by leaving hazards unaddressed or not providing warnings, such as failing to mark a wet floor.

Finally, you must show that the dangerous condition directly caused the injury and that you’ve suffered damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Common Defenses in Chicago Cases Involving Slip and Fall Accidents

In many Chicago slip and fall accident claims, property owners and insurance companies rely on common defenses to avoid paying fair compensation. One frequent tactic is alleging comparative fault, arguing that the fall victim was careless, distracted, or wearing inappropriate footwear. Our slip and fall injury lawyers challenge this by showing that the hazard created an unreasonable risk regardless of the victim’s behavior.

Another defense is lack of notice, with the negligent party claiming they were unaware of the unsafe condition. In these cases, our slip and fall accident lawyers use witness testimony, video evidence, or maintenance records to show they knew about the danger.

Defendants also argue that a hazard was “open and obvious,” claiming a reasonable person would have avoided it. We demonstrate how poor lighting, obstructed views, or the hazard’s location made detection difficult.

How to Strengthen Your Slip and Fall Case in Chicago

The actions you take after a slip and fall incident can determine the strength of your claim. Start by seeking medical care right away, even if injuries appear minor, to link the accident to your condition. Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or landlord and request a written report. Document the hazard with photos and collect witness information. Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters before consulting a Chicago slip and fall accident lawyer.

How a Chicago Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help

Working with a slip and fall attorney gives victims the guidance and advocacy needed to pursue compensation. We investigate the slip and fall incident, gather evidence, review surveillance footage, and obtain witness statements to strengthen your claim.

We take on insurers directly, challenging attempts to minimize your injuries or undervalue your case. If a settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are ready to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.

FAQs

How much does a slip and fall attorney cost?

At Chicago Injury Center, our slip and fall lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. We only collect fees if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or a lawsuit.

Who can file a slip and fall claim in Chicago?

Any person harmed by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property may file a slip and fall claim. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Is it hard to win a slip and fall case?

Slip and fall accident cases can be challenging because property owners and insurers often deny responsibility. Our slip and fall attorneys know how to build compelling claims and fight for full compensation.

What evidence do I need to support my slip and fall accident case?

Evidence in a slip and fall lawsuit may include photographs of the hazard, incident reports, medical bills, surveillance video, and witness testimony. Our slip and fall injury attorneys investigate thoroughly to prove negligence by property owners and strengthen your claim for maximum compensation.

Can I file a personal injury claim if I slipped and fell at work?

If your injury happened at work, you may be covered by workers’ compensation. However, in some cases, a personal injury lawsuit may also be possible if a third party–like a property owner or contractor–contributed to the unsafe conditions that caused your fall.

Can I sue my landlord for a slip and fall in a Chicago apartment building?

Yes, landlords or property managers can be held liable if a slip and fall incident occurs in common areas such as hallways, stairways, or entryways. If they failed to repair hazards or ignored complaints, our fall lawyers can help fall victims pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them.

Can I sue a Chicago business for a slip and fall injury I didn’t report?

Failure to report a slip and fall incident right away does not prevent you from filing a claim. What matters most is evidence linking the business’s negligence to your injuries. Medical records, surveillance footage, or witness statements can strengthen your case.

Do Chicago property owners owe a duty of care to trespassers?

Generally, property owners do not owe trespassers the same duty of care as lawful visitors. However, exceptions exist for children under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine or in cases of willful or wanton conduct.

Who is liable for a slip and fall at an Airbnb in Chicago?

When a slip and fall occurs at an Airbnb, liability may involve the host, a property management company, or Airbnb itself. Determining responsibility depends on the facts of the fall incident.

What are my legal options after a slip and fall incident on government property in Chicago?

Slip and fall claims involving government property, such as CTA stations or city sidewalks, require following strict notice rules and shorter deadlines. Our slip and fall lawyers handle these cases carefully, ensuring fall victims protect their rights while pursuing compensation from responsible government entities.

How do I know if I have a slip and fall accident case?

A slip and fall injury case usually exists when negligence by a property owner led to unsafe conditions that caused your injuries. Our attorneys can evaluate your case and help determine if you can recover compensation.

How long does it take to resolve a personal injury claim in Chicago?

The timeline for resolving a slip and fall lawsuit varies. Some claims settle in months, while others may take years if they proceed to trial. Case complexity, severity of injuries, and insurance company negotiations all play a role.

Will my case go to trial?

Most slip and fall cases in Chicago are resolved through settlement with insurers. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, our slip and fall accident lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

Consult a Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer Near You!

If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall incident on someone else’s property, Chicago Injury Center is here to help. Our attorneys fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and physical pain caused by unsafe conditions. We provide every client with a free consultation and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today to speak with an experienced slip and fall lawyer to understand your legal options.