Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere at any time: on the job, at the supermarket, or even just strolling down the sidewalk. It can happen to anyone; you simply never know when you may be a victim. In addition to the pain, slip-and-fall injuries can be exorbitant, often with continuing medical bills that just keep piling up. If you’re injured in a slip-and-fall accident anywhere in the Chicago area, protect your legal rights and consult with experienced Chicago personal injury attorney Joseph Dooley. Slip-and-fall accidents can result in severe injuries – brain and spinal cord injuries, for example – and frequently lead to permanent disability. But even if it’s a minor injury, a good Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you to win the compensation that is legally yours after most slip-and-fall accidents.
Injuries While Shopping
Online shopping continues to grow, but it can never fully replace going to the mall or the big department store. For most people, shopping is fun, and in the summer, it’s a great way to beat the heat. Unfortunately, like anywhere else today, malls and department stores can be hazardous, so it’s best to know about potential hazards and be prepared.
If you’re injured while shopping, the owner of the property – whether it’s an individual or a corporation – may be legally responsible, depending on the circumstances of the injury. The most common types of shopping-related injuries are the result of slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents. These accidents can cause head, neck, or back injuries, broken limbs, and even brain and spinal cord injuries. Shopping-related injuries are most often caused by neglected floor conditions including floors made dangerous by snow or ice, by spilled food or drinks, and by worn carpeting or broken floor tiles.
Other common hazards in retail locations also cause serious injuries. Shopping carts can tip over or accidentally strike someone. Retail displays can tip over. People are sometimes injured trying to grab hard-of-reach items. Elevators and escalators are also hazards. Overcrowding is rarely an issue in summer, but in winter, and especially during the holidays, it’s also a hazard.
Of course, your priority after a slip-and-fall accident must be obtaining medical assistance and treatment. Make copies of any documents or other paperwork you receive from the hospital (and from the police, if they are involved for any reason). After a slip-and-fall accident, you also must report the accident and injury to the property’s owner (or manager or caretaker). It’s also important – and easier now with cell phones – to photograph your injuries and the spot where the injury occurred. Try to take photos immediately, before your injury is treated and before the accident site is cleaned up. It’s possible win your claim without pictures, but in most instances they will substantially strengthen your case.
Even before filing a claim with your insurance company, speak first with an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will assess the specifics of your slip-and-fall case and provide the sound legal advice you need. If you file a claim, your attorney will guide you through the legal process and work hard to win the maximum possible compensation.
Anyone injured while shopping may be able to recover damages for losses related to the injury. An injured shopper must prove that the retailer failed to meet the legal responsibility to maintain safe premises. In the Chicago area, if you’re injured while shopping, or if you’re injured while on the premises of any retail establishment, speak at once with experienced Chicago personal injury attorney Joseph Dooley. A good personal injury lawyer can look at the facts of your case, answer your legal questions, and recommend your wisest course of action. If you pursue a premises liability claim against a retailer, a good personal injury lawyer can fight on your behalf for the best possible settlement. If you’re injured while shopping, take the first step toward obtaining the compensation you need and bring your case to an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney promptly.
Winning Compensation in Slip and Fall Cases
If you’ve been injured due to another person’s negligence, don’t lose out on the compensation you deserve because you’re unable to prove your case in court. If you slip, fall, and become injured on another person’s property, you should obtain at once the services of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Three elements are involved in winning slip and fall lawsuits. Firstly, you must prove that the defendant was the legal owner of the property where the injury occurred (or the person designated by the owner to safely maintain the property and remove any predictable dangers). Secondly, you must prove that the defendant failed, through improper action or negligence, to maintain the property safely and eliminate any predictable hazards.
Finally, you must prove that the defendant’s improper action or negligence was the direct cause of the personal injury you’ve suffered. However, if you were trespassing or otherwise on an “off limits” or restricted access part of the property when you were injured, you may not have legal grounds to file a claim. A good personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have legal standing to sue.
The defendant’s attorney may allege that your injury had a different, unrelated cause. Always be completely honest with your attorney. He or she will need to offer evidence of a direct link from the defendant’s improper action or negligence to your personal injury.
If you are injured in a slip and fall, and you believe that you have a valid personal injury claim, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as you can. A good personal injury lawyer will assess the evidence in your case, outline your options, and help compile any evidence or line up the witnesses you’ll need to be awarded compensation. It’s possible that you can be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you’ve suffered any personal injury due to the neglect of another, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney today.