What Caused Your Slip and Fall?

Thursday, January 30, 2020

What Caused Your Slip and Fall?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

No one plans on being in a slip and fall accident, and they can happen nearly anywhere. When they do happen, injured individuals are forced to deal with the repercussions such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the inability to do things they once enjoyed. It may take several months or even years for their life to return to normal. In some slip and fall incidents, other parties are legally responsible for the injuries they indirectly cause. Knowing what and who caused your slip and fall accident can help you and your personal injury lawyer recover your damages. 

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

In general, property owners, whether it is your employer, a grocery store, or your neighbor, have a duty to keep the premises safe for those who come there. The degree of duty can vary depending on the circumstances and the type of property. Property owners need to be keenly aware of potential hazards. Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or uneven floor surfaces
  • Unsalted icy surfaces
  • Spills 
  • Potholes in business parking lots
  • Lack of non-skid floor treatments
  • Ripped or worn carpeting
  • Recently waxed floors
• Environmental conditions
  • Debris or trash on the floor
  • Cords running across a walkway
  • Poor lighting
  • Cabinets and drawers that are open
• Unsafe stairs or ladders
  • Lack of handrails
  • Broken stairs
  • Items on the stairs
  • Lack of non-skid surfaces on stairs
  • Not securing a ladder for use
• Inadequate safety training and practices used by
  • Housekeepers and custodians
  • Factory workers
  • Construction industry workers
  • Chefs and other kitchen staff

Who is Liable for Your Injuries?

It is important to determine what caused your slip and fall, but finding out who was negligent in causing your injuries is also essential. When you meet with a personal injury attorney, they can help determine who is at fault for your slip and fall accident. If the property owner failed to correct a hazard or keep people away from a hazard that they had knowledge of or a reasonable person should have knowledge of, they can be held liable under Illinois personal injury laws.

If your slip and fall involved factors under your control, your compensation could be decreased. These factors include:

• Walking while using your phone
• Wearing improper footwear
• You were on a part of the property where you were not allowed to be, or visitors were not expected to be
• You ignored cornered or taped off areas that were dangerous

The defense in your case may use one or more of these factors against you to help reduce their liability and your compensation. When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, they can work to mitigate the defense’s impact on your recovery.

Recover Your Damages with a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

You can attempt to deal with the property owner and their insurance company on your own and risk getting less for your injuries than you deserve. Or you can hire a personal injury lawyer from our firm who can provide you with reliable For your free no-obligation consultation, reach out to Malman Law. Call us at (312) 629-0099 or use our online contact form.