Property owners have certain responsibilities to keep their visitors safe. While especially true for business owners, even private property owners have obligations to keep guests safe. The rights you have as the visitor depend on your legal status while on that land. Determining your rights and pursuing financial compensation is best done with the assistance of qualified legal counsel.
A dedicated Schaumburg premises liability lawyer is able to present your case and fight for the monetary damages you deserve. Speak with The Kryder Law Group today to get started.
Schaumburg Property Liability Law
740 Illinois Statutes § 130/1 sets forth the Illinois Premises Liability Act. This determines the duties of reasonable care owed by property owners and outlines their duties to anyone who comes onto the premises. The law permits the pursuit of financial awards for people injured due to a landowner’s negligence.
There are many perils that could lead to a property accident case. These might include, but are not limited to:
- Spills on a floor
- Slip and fall accidents
- Protruding sharp objects
- Hazardous substances
- Dangerous or uneven stairs
- Holes in the walkway
- Balcony or deck collapses
These and many other hazards could cause harm while on another person’s or business’s premises. You have rights that deserve protection. These accidents on someone else’s land could lead to serious harm that may be compensable with the help of our caring Schaumburg attorneys.
Understanding a Landowner’s Duty of Care
If you visit another’s land, you do so as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. The Premises Liability Act, however, has mostly erased the old distinction between invitees and licensees. While other states have differing standards for these two categories, this state does not, and property owners are expected to treat them equally. A premises liability attorney in Schaumburg could help you further understand the differences between these types of distinctions.
Invitees and Licensees
An invitee is a person invited to be on the premises. This is usually for the mutual benefit of the property owner and the visitor. This is most common with business invitees who are expressly or impliedly invited to come to the premises to shop or do other business. Shoppers get the benefit of the good or service they buy, and the property owner gets the benefit of their money.
Licensees are permitted on the property, but do not necessarily provide a benefit to the owner. These are usually social guests, friends, or solicitors.
Invitees and licensees are given the same protections under state law. It requires owners to make sure the area is free of hazards and to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. The owner must also provide notice of any known defects or hazards posed by their premises.
Trespassers
Trespassers are people who are not allowed on the property and were not invited, either expressly or impliedly. In such a case, the owner is only obligated to avoid intentional or wanton harm to the trespasser. This means that an owner should not injure a trespasser simply for trespassing, such as setting traps or purposeful hazards.
Consult a Schaumburg Premises Liability Attorney
Property owners should be making sure you are safe. Too often, they do the opposite and are negligent of their premises. Their negligence could be the reason you suffered serious injuries. When that is the case, a knowledgeable injury attorney at The Kryder Law Group may help you with your case.
An experienced Schaumburg premises liability lawyer can fight for your rights. Speak with our office right away for the help you deserve.
(312) 223-1700