Chicago Premises Liability Lawyer
Premises liability is a legal area that falls under personal injury law. The premises liability laws in Illinois are extremely complex. Essentially, these laws give people the right to file a claim against a property owner when they do not keep their premises in a safe condition and an accident occurs. Through a successful claim, accident victims can recover damages for the losses they sustained, such as medical expenses, lost income, and more. A Chicago premises liability lawyer can explain the laws of the state and how they apply to your case, so you recover the fair settlement you deserve.
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
A premises liability accident can occur at any time, and in any way. The most common types of premises liability accidents are as follows:
- Dog bites
- Slip and falls
- Inadequate security
- Asbestos exposure
- Poorly lit staircases
- Sidewalk and roadway defects
- Icy entranceways, sidewalks, and parking lots
Regardless of the type of premises liability accident that occurs, you can usually hold the property owner liable for paying damages.
How to Prove a Premises Liability Accident
Unfortunately, claiming a property owner was negligent is not enough when trying to claim damages. You must also prove your case. To do this, you must prove the property owner owed you a duty of care to ensure their premises were safe to enter. Property owners do not owe the same duty of care to everyone that enters their property. For example, if you were trespassing, a property owner has little to no duty of care to ensure you are kept safe. On the other hand, if you were hurt on the business of a property, the owner likely owed you the highest duty of care.
Your own actions may also impact your premises liability case. Under the comparative fault laws of the state, if you contributed in any way to the accident, it could reduce the total amount of compensation you recover. For example, if you visited a business right after a major snowstorm and wore summer sandals and slipped and fell, you would likely be found partly liable for your own injuries because you did not wear proper footwear. The court and insurance companies would then assign you a percentage of fault and reduce your damages by that same percentage.
The above are just a few of the basic laws about premises liability in the state. If you or someone you love has been injured, it is important to speak to a Chicago premises liability lawyer about the damages you are entitled to.
Call Our Chicago Premises Liability Lawyers Today
Negligent property owners should be held accountable for the injuries and other losses accident victims sustain on their premises, and our Chicago premises liability lawyer can help you do it. At Connolly Injury Law, our seasoned attorney is dedicated to helping injured individuals after they are in an accident, and he will put his experience to work for you, too. Call us today at 312-780-0816 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation so we can review your claim.
