Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents in Illinois
Have you ever slipped on a wet floor at a grocery store, tripped over a broken sidewalk, or been hurt at a property that clearly wasn’t being maintained? These kinds of accidents happen every day across Illinois, and in many cases, the property owner is legally responsible for what happened. Understanding how these accidents occur is the first step toward knowing whether you may have a valid claim.
The Legal Foundation: What Property Owners Owe You
Illinois premises liability law is grounded in the Premises Liability Act, which sets the standard of care that property owners owe to people who enter their property. Under this law, owners and occupiers of land must exercise reasonable care to maintain their property in a safe condition. When they fail to do that, and someone is hurt as a result, the injured person may have the right to seek compensation for their losses.
The key word is “reasonable.” Property owners are not expected to prevent every possible accident, but they are expected to address known hazards, perform regular inspections, and warn visitors about dangers that may not be obvious. When they fall short of that standard, liability can follow.
Hazards That Most Commonly Lead to Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability accidents can happen in many different ways, but certain conditions come up again and again in these cases:
- Wet or slippery floors that are not marked with warning signs
- Cracked, uneven, or broken pavement, flooring, or stairs
- Poor or inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, parking lots, or entryways
- Falling objects from unsecured shelving or overhead storage
- Icy walkways and parking lots that have not been salted or cleared
- Exposed wiring, sharp edges, or other structural hazards
- Swimming pool accidents caused by lack of fencing or inadequate supervision
- Negligent security that allows criminal acts to occur on the property
These hazards show up in all sorts of settings: retail stores, apartment buildings, restaurants, hotels, parking garages, schools, and even private residences. No type of property is immune from a premises liability claim when the owner has been careless.
Does It Matter Why You Were on the Property?
Yes, it can. Illinois law has historically distinguished between different types of visitors, with the standard of care varying depending on the relationship between the visitor and the property owner. Invited guests, such as customers at a business, are owed the highest duty of care. Social guests on private property are also owed a reasonable duty. Even trespassers, in some circumstances, may have rights under Illinois law, particularly when children are involved under the attractive nuisance doctrine.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, falls alone account for a significant share of unintentional injury hospitalizations statewide each year. Many of those falls happen on someone else’s property and are entirely preventable. When a property owner’s negligence is what put a hazard there in the first place, that injured person should not have to bear the financial burden alone.
Hurt on Someone Else’s Property? Reach Out to Our Team
Premises liability cases require prompt action. Evidence like security footage, maintenance records, and incident reports can disappear quickly, and Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can cost you the ability to recover anything at all.
If you or a loved one was injured on another person’s or business’s property in Illinois, we are here to help. Contact Patel Law, PC today for a free consultation with our Springfield premises liability attorneys. We will review the facts of your situation, explain your options, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at 217-384-1111 or fill out our online form to get started.
Sources:
ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57
dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-wellness/injury-prevention.html
