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Evanston Slip and Fall Attorney
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, and when it does, the consequences can be serious. Whether you slipped on an icy sidewalk near the lakefront in Evanston, tripped on a broken curb outside a business on Central Street, or fell on a wet floor inside a shop near Northwestern University, you deserve to know your rights. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we represent injured people throughout the Chicago area, including Evanston, and we are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, keep reading to learn what Illinois law says and what your next steps should be.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Slip and Fall Claim Under Illinois Law?
- How Illinois Comparative Negligence Rules Affect Your Case
- Illinois Deadlines for Filing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
- What Damages Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall in Evanston?
- Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Evanston Slip and Fall Case?
- FAQs About Evanston Slip and Fall Cases
What Is a Slip and Fall Claim Under Illinois Law?
A slip and fall claim is a type of premises liability case. It happens when a property owner fails to keep their property safe, and someone gets hurt as a result. In Evanston, these accidents happen in all kinds of places, from icy parking lots near the Metra station to wet floors inside grocery stores along Dempster Street. The law says property owners have a responsibility to their visitors, and when they ignore that responsibility, they can be held liable.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/2) states that property owners and occupiers must exercise reasonable care to protect people lawfully on their property from conditions that could cause injury. This law applies to businesses, landlords, and even private homeowners. If you were on someone else’s property lawfully, as a customer, a tenant, or a guest, and you got hurt because of a dangerous condition, you may have a valid claim.
To win a slip and fall case in Illinois, you generally need to show four things. A dangerous condition existed on the property, the property owner or occupier knew or should have known about the hazard, the hazard was not fixed or properly warned against, and the dangerous condition caused your injuries. These four elements form the foundation of your case. Evidence matters enormously here. Photos of the hazard, witness statements, security camera footage, and maintenance records can all help build your claim. The sooner you start gathering that evidence, the better your chances of success.
Evanston properties, including those near the lakefront, along the Purple Line corridor, and around the downtown district, must meet the same legal standards as any other property in Illinois. If a landlord on Dodge Avenue lets a broken staircase go unrepaired, or a store on Church Street ignores a leaking refrigerator that creates a puddle in the aisle, they can be held responsible for any injuries that result. Our team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg knows how to investigate these cases and hold negligent property owners accountable.
How Illinois Comparative Negligence Rules Affect Your Case
One of the most common defenses a property owner will raise in a slip and fall case is that you were partly at fault. Maybe they say you were looking at your phone, wearing improper shoes, or ignored a warning sign. This is where Illinois’s comparative negligence rules come into play, and understanding them can make a big difference in your case.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence model under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for your accident, you cannot recover compensation. But if your share of fault is less than 50%, you can still recover damages. Your award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. This is an important protection for injured people, but it also means the defense will work hard to push as much blame onto you as possible.
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys are trained to look for reasons to shift blame. They may point to lighting conditions, your footwear, or even your familiarity with the property. That is exactly why having a skilled legal advocate on your side matters. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we know how to push back against unfair blame-shifting. We gather the evidence needed to show the property owner’s negligence was the real cause of your injuries. Whether your accident happened near Lighthouse Landing, on one of Evanston’s busy commercial strips, or in a residential building near Northwestern University, we can help you protect your right to fair compensation.
Illinois Deadlines for Filing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
Time is one of the most critical factors in any personal injury case. Illinois law sets strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit, and missing that deadline can mean losing your right to compensation entirely. If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in Evanston or anywhere in the Chicago area, do not wait to get legal help.
In the state of Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury, which is specified in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, section 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Individuals who do not file a lawsuit within the 2-year deadline will be unable to take legal action and pursue compensation for any injuries and damages resulting from the accident. Two years may sound like a long time, but it passes quickly, especially when you are focused on recovering from a serious injury.
There are also shorter deadlines to be aware of if your accident happened on public property. The Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/1-101) provides special protections to government entities and employees. Under this act, you generally have just one year to file a claim against a city, county, school district, or other local government body. If you slip and fall on improperly maintained public property, you may need to provide written notice of your injury within 45 days to certain government entities. Failing to provide this notice can bar your claim completely.
If your fall happened on a public sidewalk near the Evanston Civic Center, in a park maintained by the city, or on property tied to a government entity, these shorter timelines apply to you. The bottom line is that waiting too long can cost you everything. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your accident. We serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including those looking for a Chicago slip and fall lawyer with real experience in these cases.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall in Evanston?
When a property owner’s negligence causes you to fall and get hurt, the financial and personal impact can be enormous. Medical bills pile up fast. You may miss work for weeks or months. In serious cases, a fall can cause injuries that change your life permanently. Illinois law allows injured people to seek compensation for all of these losses.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future medical treatment, pain and suffering, and loss of normal life. If your injuries are permanent, damages may also cover disability or disfigurement. These categories of compensation are meant to make you as whole as possible after an injury caused by someone else’s carelessness.
Illinois law also has rules about how liability is shared when multiple parties are responsible. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose share of fault is 25% or greater is jointly and severally liable for all other damages as well. This matters in cases where, for example, both a property owner and a maintenance company share responsibility for a dangerous condition. It means you may be able to recover your full damages even if one party cannot pay their full share.
Common injuries in slip and fall accidents include broken bones, hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and torn ligaments. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits in the U.S., and 1 in 5 falls causes a serious injury, such as a broken bone or traumatic brain injury. These are not minor incidents. They deserve serious legal attention. Whether you need a Mundelein slip and fall lawyer, an Oak Lawn slip and fall lawyer, or help with a case in Evanston, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is here for you.
Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Evanston Slip and Fall Case?
Choosing the right legal team after a slip and fall accident is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need attorneys who know Illinois premises liability law inside and out, who take the time to understand your situation, and who will fight for every dollar you are owed. That is exactly what Briskman Briskman & Greenberg offers.
Our firm has been serving injured people in the Chicago area for decades. We know the courts, the laws, and the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts. Whether your case ends up in the Cook County Circuit Court or the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago, we are prepared to advocate for you at every step. We handle cases throughout the region, including for clients who need an Orland Park slip and fall lawyer or representation closer to home in Evanston.
Our approach is straightforward. We listen to your story, investigate the facts, identify all liable parties, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no financial risk to reaching out and learning about your options.
Evanston is a vibrant community with busy streets, active businesses, and a mix of old and new construction. All of that activity creates opportunities for dangerous conditions to develop, whether it is a crumbling sidewalk near the Davis Street Metra stop, a poorly lit stairwell in an apartment building near the lakefront, or a slippery entryway at a retail store on Main Street. When those conditions cause someone to get hurt, the responsible party should be held accountable. As your Chicago personal injury lawyer, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will stand by your side from the first consultation to the final resolution of your case. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation. We are also proud to serve clients as personal injury attorneys in Chicago across the entire metropolitan area.
FAQs About Evanston Slip and Fall Cases
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Illinois?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. However, if your fall happened on public property owned by a government entity, you may have as little as one year to file and may need to provide written notice within 45 days. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim, so it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What if I was partly at fault for my slip and fall accident?
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you were less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% at fault and your total damages were $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. An attorney can help challenge unfair blame-shifting by the property owner or their insurer.
What kinds of injuries are common in slip and fall accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries. These include broken bones, hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, torn ligaments, and soft tissue injuries. Even a fall that seems minor at first can lead to lasting complications. It is important to seek medical attention right away after any fall, both for your health and to document your injuries for a potential legal claim.
Who can be held liable for a slip and fall in Evanston?
Liability depends on who owned, occupied, or controlled the property where the fall occurred. This could be a business owner, a landlord, a property management company, a contractor, or even a government entity. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, defendants whose fault is 25% or greater can be held jointly and severally liable for all damages, which can help ensure you receive full compensation even when multiple parties are involved.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?
First, seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage, may not show symptoms immediately. Report the accident to the property owner or manager and get a copy of any incident report. Take photos of the hazard, the area where you fell, and your injuries. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Then contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence and build a strong case.
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