Crystal Lake Slip and Fall Lawyers

Attorneys Serving McHenry County & the Surrounding Areas

Most of us have slipped and fallen on a wet floor or a patch of ice at some point. This type of accident usually hurts little more than your pride, but some slip and fall injuries can be serious—even fatal. When you’ve suffered a serious injury after a fall on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries

Slips, trips and falls occur in many ways. Some common accidents that give rise to slip and fall injury cases include:

• Slipping on an icy sidewalk, porch, or parking lot
• Tripping on a loose floorboard
• Tripping or losing one’s balance on loose or uneven flooring
• Catching a toe on carpeting that isn’t properly tacked down
• Slipping on throw rugs without proper backing
• Slipping on a wet floor or sidewalk
• Tripping on a loose stair

The varied weather in Illinois means that local residents encounter a wide range of risks, from unsalted walkways in winter to wet surfaces at poolside during the summer months. Slip and fall injuries are also common on the job, particularly in factory and warehouse settings.

Older Americans are Especially Vulnerable to Slip and Fall Injuries

Among people aged 55 and older, slip and fall accidents are the number one type of occupational injury. More significantly, nearly 1/3 of Americans aged 65 and older fall each year, often with serious consequences. About 40% of nursing home admissions are the result of injuries sustained in a fall.

Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries

It’s easy to think of tripping on a broken sidewalk or slipping on a freshly-mopped floor as “just an accident.” Often, however, this type of accident is the result of someone else’s negligence. Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, owners and occupiers of real property have a duty to exercise “reasonable care” with regard to the condition of the premises. If they fail in that duty and injuries result, they may be liable for damages. For example, when a storekeeper mops the aisles during business hours and fails to provide warning signs to let shoppers know the floor is wet, the store may be liable for any injuries suffered by a customer who slips. Determining whether the owner/occupier was negligent and whether that negligence was the cause of the fall and resulting injuries can be complicated. Further, different standards may apply depending on the relationship between the property owner/occupier and the injured party. For instance, a property owner may be liable to a customer or a social guest for an injury, though he would not be legally responsible to a trespasser who suffered the same injury.

An experienced slip and fall attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to compensation, and what type of damages you may receive.

Damages in Slip and Fall Cases

Damages vary from case to case, depending on the nature of the injury, recovery time, medical expenses and other factors. However, some of the most common types of damages you might expect to receive in a slip and fall case include:

• Reimbursement for past medical expenses
• Compensation for projected ongoing medical costs
• Compensation for past and future lost wages
• Compensation for pain and suffering

Connect with an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer Right Away

When you’re recovering from a serious injury and facing the stress of mounting medical bills, a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer can be your best resource. Insurance companies know that injury victims are vulnerable after an accident, and may take advantage of your concerns and confusion.
Fortunately, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Take the first step toward the compensation you deserve right now—contact us to schedule a consultation.