Chicago Premises Liability Lawyer

Property owners have the duty to protect persons, lawfully on their property, from injuries caused by dangerous conditions that the owner or occupier created, or knew, or should have known existed. If walkways, stairways, porches, or balconies were unsafe and caused a fall or a trip, or if snowy or icy conditions existed and someone slipped and you or your family were injured, our Chicago premises liability lawyer can help.  

Preserving evidence and careful examination of the premises are crucial to determining who is responsible and should be held accountable. The services of an attorney can protect your interests.

A Trusted Premises Liability Law Firm Serving Chicago

The attorneys at Loizzi Law Offices recognize how a dangerous property condition can change the course of your life in an instant. We take the time to understand our clients’ experiences, injuries, and setbacks because every detail matters when holding a property owner accountable. In a major premises liability case involving life-altering harm, our dedication to pursuing justice resulted in a $20 million verdict after we rejected an initial $10 million settlement.

We value the long-term relationships we build with the people we represent, and are proud to serve the people of Chicago during difficult periods in their lives. Setting our law firm apart is our commitment to providing boutique-level accessibility and the perspective of attorneys who once defended major corporations and insurance companies. Trust our trial-ready injury lawyers to pursue the full compensation you may deserve.

At-a-Glance: Do I Have a Premises Case in Chicago?

You may have a premises liability case in Chicago if you were injured because a hazardous condition existed on someone’s property and the owner knew or should have known about it. Illinois courts look for four things: a dangerous condition, notice, a failure to fix or warn, and resulting injuries or damages.

“Notice” can be actual, such as when the owner was told about the danger, or constructive, meaning the hazard existed long enough that a reasonable owner would have discovered it. If these elements are present, the incident may meet Illinois’s standard for a viable premises claim.

Who Can Be Liable?

Multiple parties may be responsible for a slip and fall in Chicago, a common type of personal injury in the region. In 2022, older adults experienced 2,163,297 falls statewide. There were 1,184 deaths, 21,912 hospitalizations, and 114,686 emergency-department treatments.

Nearly 28.2% of Illinois residents age 65 and older reported falling within the past year. These incidents occur in commercial areas such as The Loop, River North, and the West Loop. These are the parties that may be liable for a slip or fall.

• Owners and landlords: These individuals can be liable when a hazardous condition exists on property they control or should reasonably inspect.
• Property managers: Managers may share liability when they are hired to oversee safety, inspections, or repairs and fail to correct known dangers.
• Tenants and lessees: Businesses renting space in Chicago districts may be responsible for the dangerous conditions inside the area they control.
• Maintenance or snow-removal contractors: These groups can be liable if they fail to perform required snow clearing, salting, floor cleaning, or hazard inspection according to their contract.
• Security vendors: If the hazard concerns crowd control, spills, or unsafe conditions they were hired to monitor, they may share responsibility.
• Public entities: City, county, or transit agencies may be liable for falls on publicly owned sidewalks or facilities, although special notice rules and immunity laws apply and are covered in the “Deadlines” section.

Why You Should Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer

Trying to secure compensation from a property owner without a Chicago premises liability attorney could be a costly mistake. Illinois’s premises liability laws can provide a path for fair compensation, but only when you have evidence and sound legal arguments to back up your claim.

Lawyers understand what types of evidence will hold up in court. They can evaluate the harm you endured so your settlement reflects the full scope of your losses. By managing the complexities of premises liability cases, your attorney can guide your case to a favorable outcome that fairly compensates you for the harm you endured due to a negligent property owner.

FAQs

Q: Are Premises Liability Cases Hard to Win?

A: Any injury claim can pose challenges. When you have strong evidence and an experienced attorney, you can greatly improve the chances that your claim is successful. An injury lawyer can gather photos, eyewitness testimony, medical records, and other forms of documentation to ensure that your claim is well-documented. Then, they can aggressively pursue compensation by leveraging state injury laws to your advantage.

Q: What Does a Premises Liability Lawyer Do?

A: A premises liability lawyer represents injured parties who were harmed on someone else’s land or business. Attorneys are investigators, negotiators, and litigators who focus on securing justice and compensation for clients. They represent plaintiffs in court and use their experience to negotiate fair settlements or court verdicts that financially restore the people they represent following a personal injury.

Q: What Is the Premises Liability Law in Illinois?

A: The premises liability law in Illinois allows injured parties to pursue compensation from the party that failed to address a property hazard. The burden is on the claimant to gather evidence to prove their case. Illinois law allows the injured party to secure legal representation. An injury claim can be settled through direct negotiations or through the local civil court system.

Q: How Much Can You Get for Premises Liability?

A: The amount that you can get for premises liability depends on the extent of your injury, the effectiveness of your lawyer, and the willingness of the at-fault party to accept liability for the harm they cause. An attorney can help you gain a better understanding of the tangible losses (economic damages) and intangible emotional harm (non-economic damages) that you are owed. Legal representation can play a crucial role in maximizing the size of your settlement.

Contact a Premises Liability Firm Focused on Seeing You Recover

A serious fall can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and long-term disruption to your daily life. Illinois law gives injured parties two years to file a premises liability claim, and waiting too long can limit your ability to recover what you are owed. Taking decisive action can help you protect your claim to compensation.

The injury lawyers at Loizzi Law Offices stand ready to help you secure the compensation you need to recover. We take the time to learn about our clients’ struggles because they are more than case numbers to us. Take the first step today by contacting our office to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you find the justice and accountability you deserve.