Unsafe property conditions can lead to serious injuries. If you were hurt as a result of a property owner’s negligence, a Joliet personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Postman Law has recovered over $3 billion for our clients. If you were injured in a fall on someone else’s property, a slip and fall accident lawyer in Joliet can help you file a claim and fight for a fair settlement.
How a Joliet Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Can Help
A Joliet slip and fall accident lawyer can handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery.
Specifically, a lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the accident: A lawyer can gather evidence to prove what caused your fall, including photographs, surveillance footage, witness statements, incident reports, and property maintenance records.
- Calculating your damages: A lawyer can evaluate your medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, and other losses to determine the value of your claim.
- Handling insurance negotiations: A lawyer can communicate with insurance adjusters and counter settlement offers that undervalue your claim.
- Representing you in court: If they cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurance company, a lawyer can prepare your case for trial and advocate for you in court.
For a free legal consultation with a slip and fall accident lawyer serving Joliet, call 844-767-8626
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
You can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses in a premises liability case, such as:
- Gastos médicos: You can seek compensation for hospital visits, doctor appointments, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and other necessary medical treatment.
- Future medical costs: You can also request compensation for anticipated medical care related to your injury, including ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.
- Salarios perdidos: You may recover damages for income you lost because your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to earn a living in the future, you can pursue additional compensation.
- Dolor y sufrimiento: While these damages are non-economic, you could still collect a financial payment for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries.
- Discapacidad o desfiguración: You can seek additional damages if your accident resulted in permanent limitations, scarring, or other lasting effects.
- Punitive damages: The court can award punitive damages in rare cases when the responsible party’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious.
Joliet Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Illinois?
Per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you typically have dos años from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, a different deadline may apply if your case involves an injured minor, a liable government entity, or injuries that you don’t discover immediately.
Failing to file your claim before the applicable deadline could result in you losing the right to pursue damages, which is why you should consult a slip and fall accident attorney in Joliet as soon as possible.
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Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Liability for your slip and fall depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Business owners: Stores, restaurants, and other businesses may be responsible for unsafe conditions on their property if they failed to address hazards or warn customers.
- Property owners: Owners of residential or commercial properties may be liable when dangerous conditions on their premises cause injuries.
- Propietarios: Landlords may be responsible for certain unsafe conditions on rental properties, especially if they are responsible for maintenance.
- Property managers: Companies hired to maintain buildings may share responsibility if poor upkeep contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance companies: Contractors responsible for cleaning, repairs, or inspections may be liable if their work was negligent.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. You may have grounds for a personal injury claim if your fall was caused by:
- Wet or slippery floors: Spilled liquids, recently cleaned floors, leaks, or weather-related moisture can create dangerous walking conditions.
- Uneven surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, broken pavement, loose flooring, and uneven transitions between surfaces can cause people to trip and fall.
- Poor lighting: Dimly lit stairways, parking lots, hallways, and walkways can make it difficult to see hazards.
- Unsafe stairs or handrails: Missing handrails, damaged steps, and improperly maintained staircases can increase the risk of serious falls.
- Obstructed walkways: Merchandise, debris, cords, or other objects left in people’s path can create preventable hazards.
- Lack of warning signs: Businesses may be responsible for failing to warn customers about known dangers, such as wet floors or temporary hazards.
Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
Anyone can suffer injuries in a sudden fall.
Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Huesos rotos
- Lesiones en la cabeza
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Sprains and torn ligaments
- Cuts, bruises, and soft tissue injuries
- Shoulder injuries caused by trying to break a fall
- Knee injuries
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Joliet
The steps you take after a trip and fall accident can affect your ability to recover compensation. You should:
- Report the accident to the property owner, manager, or an employee.
- Take photographs of the hazard that caused your fall and the surrounding area (if possible).
- Exchange contact information with anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Keep records of your medical treatment, expenses, and time missed from work.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before hiring a lawyer.
- Preserve any clothing or footwear involved in the accident.
- Consult an attorney before agreeing to a settlement.
Consult a Slip and Fall Accident Attorney in Joliet
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed after falling on someone else’s property. If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Joliet slip and fall accident lawyer from Postman Law can help you build a strong claim and pursue fair compensation.
Book a free case review to start building your claim.