Wheeling Slip and Fall Accidents

If you were injured at a business, office building, hospital, neighbor’s home or another location, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a Wheeling premises liability lawsuit. Premises liability is the legal term for the body of law governing slip and fall cases and other injury lawsuits arising out of a property owner’s or occupier’s negligence. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, our dedicated team of Wheeling slip and fall attorneys are committed to helping accident victims obtain compensation after suffering serious injuries on another’s property. Since 1987, we have helped countless injury victims recover the compensation they need to begin the process of moving on with their lives after an accident.  
 
Common Wheeling Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident can occur at any time. Generally, businesses and other property owners owe a duty of care to those they allow onto their property. This includes customers, social guests, independent contractors, and spectators at sporting events and concerts. Under Illinois law, landowners are not necessarily required to guarantee a visitor’s safety. However, they must exercise reasonable care in maintaining the property. For example, a grocery store may be responsible for frequently checking the aisles to ensure a customer did not cause a spill.

A few of the most common causes of Wheeling slip and fall cases include:

• Wet floors
• Uneven or cracked pavement
• Defective stairs
• Missing handrails
• Accumulations of snow or ice
• Electrical wires or other debris
• Poor lighting
• Bunched-up carpeting

Of course, there are many other causes of slip and fall accidents. Any time a hazard on another’s property causes a visitor injury, it may be the basis for a Wheeling premises liability lawsuit.

Damages Available Through a Premises Liability Claim
 
While a slip and fall may not seem to pose the risks of other accidents, falls are deceptively dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of five falls results in the victim suffering a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury. Each year, more than 800,000 people are hospitalized for fall-related injuries. And falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.

Given the seriousness of these injuries, victims often incur significant expenses. For example, you may end up in the hospital with substantial medical bills. While you are recovering from your injuries, you probably will not be able to work. And this does not consider the emotional and psychological impact that the accident had on your life.

The idea behind personal injury law is to allow you to recover compensation for your injuries so you can return to the life you had before the accident. So, by filing a Wheeling premises liability lawsuit, you can recover money from the property owner to help you cover both your economic and non-economic losses. While every case is different, and the amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on various factors, the following types of damages are common:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Lost wages and decreased earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering; and
• Disability and disfigurement.

Proving a Wheeling Slip and Fall Case Against a Property Owner

After slipping and falling on another’s property, you may have many questions. This is normal, as no one expects to suffer a serious injury while shopping, visiting the doctor’s office, or walking across a parking lot.

To successfully bring a Wheeling premises liability, you must present evidence proving each of the following elements:

• There was a hazard on the property that presented an unreasonable risk of harm to visitors;
• The owner of the property knew or should have known about the hazard;
• You were not aware of the danger;
• The property owner was negligent in failing to address the threat; and
• The hazard is what caused your injuries.

In addition, under the Illinois doctrine of comparative modified fault, if you were negligent in any way, your damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, assume you fell a flight of stairs at an office building. You later find out one of the steps was in poor repair and gave way as you stepped on it and because there was no handrail, you could not catch yourself. As a result of the fall, you suffered $150,000 in medical bills, lost wages and non-economic damages. However, because you were on the phone and not paying attention to where you were going at the time, the jury found you were 20 percent responsible for your injuries. In this case, you would be able to recover just 80 percent of your total damages, or $120,000.

Contact the Wheeling Slip and Fall Lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg

If you were injured due to a hazard on another’s property, reach out to the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg to discuss your case. For more than 35 years, we have been aggressively pursuing compensation on behalf of accident victims and know what it takes to prepare, negotiate and litigate a successful case. When you call to schedule a free consultation, we will answer your questions and never pressure you to file a claim. However, we will provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family. To learn more and schedule a free consultation with one of our Wheeling dog bite lawyers, give us a call at 877-595-4878. You can also reach us through our online contact form.