At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, our personal injury law firm represents victims of slip and fall accidents in Berwyn, Illinois and across the Chicago area. Our knowledgeable and experienced lawyers understand the gravity of such injuries and are committed to working tirelessly for the rights and claims of our clients, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve for their pain, suffering, and financial losses.
In this Article
What Is Premises Liability in Illinois?
Premises Liability, as defined under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/), hinges on a few critical elements:
Duty of Care
The property owner or occupier has a legal obligation to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
Breach of Duty
The owner or occupier neglects to rectify dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about.
Causation
The breach of duty directly leads to the injury of the visitor.
Damage
The visitor suffers actual harm (physical injury, financial loss, emotional distress) as a result of the breach.
When Is a Slip and Fall a Valid Personal Injury Case?
In Illinois, a slip and fall refers to an incident where an individual slips, trips, or falls due to an unsafe condition on someone else’s property. This can include situations such as icy sidewalks, water or oil on floors, or dangerous stairs. A slip and fall becomes a valid personal injury claim when the property owner knew or should have known about the unsafe condition, failed to rectify it, and this negligence directly caused the victim’s injury.
When Are Slip and Fall Accidents NOT Valid Personal Injury Cases?
Not all slip and fall incidents can be classified as valid personal injury claims. For instance, if it can be proved the victim was aware of the dangerous condition and deliberately ignored it, or if the owner had no reasonable way of knowing about the hazard, it may not qualify as a legitimate personal injury claim.
Common Places for Slip and Fall Accidents in Berwyn, IL
Slip and Fall accidents commonly occur in various locations throughout Berwyn. Some of these include:
Retail Stores: Overcrowded aisles, spilled liquid, or uneven flooring can lead to accidents.
Parking Lots: Poor lighting, potholes, or ice and snow can pose serious hazards.
Nursing Homes: Lack of proper supervision or inadequate maintenance can result in falls.
Workplaces: Unsecured ladders, cluttered workspaces, or lack of safety measures are common culprits.
Public Sidewalks: Cracks, uneven surfaces, or lack of maintenance can cause serious injuries.
Restaurants: Slippery floors, poorly maintained staircases, or loose carpeting can result in falls.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can lead to various injuries, ranging from minor to severe.
Common injuries include fractures or broken bones, particularly in the arms, wrists, or hips. Sprains and strains are also frequent, affecting ankles, wrists, or knees. Head injuries, such as concussions, can occur, especially in serious falls.
Additionally, back and spinal cord injuries, including herniated discs, can be caused by such accidents. Slip and fall injuries can have long-term impacts, requiring ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Why Do Elderly People Often Suffer Slip and Fall Accidents?
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elderly individuals often suffer slip and fall accidents due to physical changes associated with aging. These may include declining vision, loss of balance, reduced muscle strength, and slower reflexes which increase their susceptibility to falls.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Berwyn, IL
After a slip and fall accident in Berwyn, IL, your immediate response can significantly impact your potential claim financial recovery.
First, seek medical attention promptly, even if you think your injuries are minor, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Report the incident to the property owner or manager and document everything about the accident, including taking photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
Gather contact information from any witnesses.
Consult a skilled slip and fall injury lawyer to protect your rights and interests.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Slip and Fall Injury Accident?
In a slip and fall accident, various parties can be held liable, depending on the circumstances. Typically, the property owner is primarily responsible for maintaining a safe environment. However, other parties such as tenants, property managers, or even maintenance companies may also bear some level of liability.
Determining responsibility often depends on the specifics of the case, such as where the incident occurred and who had control over the premises at the time of the accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall?
The services IL personal injury lawyers provide to victims of slip and fall accidents are extensive and essential. Law firms offer vital services for slip and fall victims including:
Providing legal counsel and educating victims on their rights and options
Conducting comprehensive investigations and gathering critical evidence
Engaging in negotiations with the insurance company
Securing maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
Managing all legal issues and navigating the complexities of the legal system
Litigating a court case when negotiations for full compensation are unsuccessful
Types of Compensation for a Slip and Fall
Most personal injury claims for victims of slip and fall accidents may be eligible for various types of economic and non-economic damages, depending on the specifics of their case.
This could include covering medical bills, lost wages, and paying damages for emotional suffering. Compensation may also cover future medical expenses related to the injury, and in severe cases, may provide for long-term disability or loss of earning capacity.
It’s crucial to consult with an experienced IL personal injury attorney to understand and pursue all potential avenues of compensation.
What Is My Case Worth?
Slip and fall lawyers determine the value of a personal injury case by considering several factors:
the severity of the injury sustained,
the level of negligence of the responsible party,
lost income due to the accident, and
the cost of medical care.
A personal injury lawyer also considers the potential future medical costs associated with the injury, the impact of the accident on the victim’s quality of life, and the degree of pain and suffering endured.
It’s essential to remember that each case is unique, and these factors are weighed differently by an IL personal injury lawyer depending on the circumstances.
Contact a Berwyn Slip and Fall Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident in Berwyn, don’t wait to take action. Contact the legal team at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyer now for a free consultation.
During this session, our dedicated slip and fall attorneys will review the specifics of your case, guide you through your legal options, and answer any questions you have.
Wondering If You Can Afford Our Services?
We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a penny to the attorneys in our law offices unless your lawsuit is successfully recover compensation for you.
Whether serious accidents were caused by a car accident, a truck crash, a slip and fall incident, or more, secure your rights and get the justice you deserve—reach out to a personal injury attorney in our law firm today.
Get help from a Berwyn slip and fall injury lawyer when you've suffered fall injuries in a slip and fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700