Orland Park Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer in Orland Park, IL

Did you know that falls account for millions of injury-related emergency department visits every year in the U.S.? Some of these falls qualified the victims to file a premises liability claim to obtain compensation. This area of personal injury law covers many kinds of incidents, with slip and fall accidents being one of the most common.

What is a slip and fall accident? Do you qualify to receive a settlement? These are important questions, and Attorney J. Francis Barker of the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. has the answers. Our office, conveniently located in Orland Park, serves injured slip and fall victims in Northern Illinois. We proudly provide effective legal representation that makes a difference.

Slip and Fall Accidents and Premises Liability in Northern Illinois

Businesses, organizations, government agencies, and property owners are legally obligated to maintain safe properties for customers, guests, and invitees. These properties may be personal residences, retail stores, dining or entertainment establishments, public parks, apartment buildings, or other kinds of spaces. At least one party is responsible for each property. If they are negligent in their obligations, and you sustain a resulting injury, you likely have grounds to file a premises liability claim.

A slip and fall accident occurs when something causes you to slip or trip on a walking surface and then fall, causing injuries. The type of property and its intended purpose define which obligations apply. In the area of slip and fall accidents, these can include:

• Keeping sidewalks and parking areas free of ice and snow buildup during the winter months
• Repairing broken pavement or flooring
• Ensuring there is enough lighting, including promptly replacing burned-out bulbs
• Providing sturdy handrails on stairways
• Not leaving loose cords or other objects in walkways
• Restricting access to hazardous areas if an immediate remedy is not available
• Mopping up spills
• Placing absorbent mats in entryways to prevent slick floor surfaces in inclement weather

If the responsible party did not meet these or other applicable obligations, and you suffered injuries as a result, you can likely hold them accountable for their negligence.

Timing Is Everything in Premises Liability Cases

One of the key factors in a slip and fall accident is whether the responsible party knew about — or should have known about — the hazardous condition. If they did know about it, they must have had a reasonable amount of time to address it.

We will use an example to demonstrate these concepts. Suppose it has been snowing non-stop for several hours. While walking into a grocery store, you slip on ice on the sidewalk. Your fall produces injuries. The critical question in this scenario is: Did the ice build up during the snowfall, or did it accumulate unnaturally?

If the ice was newly formed during an ongoing snowfall, the store likely did not have time to remove it safely. You may not qualify for a settlement. However, if the ice built up because a downspout on the building caused water to flow onto the sidewalk and freeze, you likely have grounds for compensation, because it was an unnatural accumulation that caused an unexpected and unreasonable risk.

Gathering Evidence After a Slip and Fall Accident

You can gather vital evidence before it disappears while you are still at your accident scene. Taking photos or recording videos of the conditions at the time of your slip and fall can provide your attorney with vital evidence that supports your claim. After you leave the area, spills on store floors can be mopped, handrails may be hastily added, or ice may be scraped away. Try to fully document things like the hazard that caused your fall, lighting conditions, your injuries, other people involved in your incident, eyewitnesses who were present, and any other relevant details.

Contact Our Orland Park, IL Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries and long-term effects, and you deserve compensation from a negligent property owner. When you work with the Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., Attorney Barker will personally handle your case, providing you with support throughout the process. He will vigorously advocate for your best interests. Contact us 24/7 at 708-321-1223 for your free consultation with our dedicated premises liability attorney. You will not pay fees unless we win.