Common Premises Liability Cases in Illinois

 Posted on December 30, 2024 in Personal Injury

If you are hurt due to a property owner’s negligence, you may have strong grounds for a premises liability case, a type of personal injury claim. To file a successful premises liability claim, you must generally prove that you were legally allowed on the property, that the owner failed to reasonably address a known hazard, and that you were injured by said hazard.

You may not be aware of what does and does not constitute a case of premises liability. A Naperville, IL personal injury lawyer can inform you of your rights and help you get compensation if you have grounds for a claim. The attorneys at Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC have secured millions of dollars in verdicts for clients in past cases, as we refuse to back down in negotiations with businesses, insurance companies, and other liable parties.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents serve as the classic example of premises liability. This is common with restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, where the risk of a liquid spill is higher. A property owner has a responsibility to clear the hazard or at least issue a clear warning – often observed in the form of ‘wet floor’ signs. Broken floor tiles, faulty steps, and poor lighting can also create a slip and fall hazard.

These accidents can result in serious injury, especially for older individuals with a more fragile constitution. If there was a security camera at the scene of the accident, footage of the accident could serve as compelling evidence to an insurance company.

Dog Bites

Dog owners have a legal obligation to control their pets out in public and at private residences. If a dog attacks someone who is lawfully allowed on the owner’s property, not a trespasser, then that person may have grounds to pursue a premises liability claim against the owner. Under Illinois’ strict liability laws, a dog owner can be held liable for damages even if the dog had no prior history of attacks. The notable exception to this rule is provocation, meaning that a dog owner cannot be held liable if the victim brought on the attack through teasing or tormenting the animal.

Negligent Security

Property owners have a responsibility to protect guests from harm. When a property owner fails to live up to this responsibility, he or she may be open to a negligent security claim. For example, if a nightclub fails to throw out a patron who poses a clear risk to other people, then the owner could be held liable if that patron then goes on to rob or assault another guest. In these cases, a property owner can be named at fault for undertrained or understaffed security personnel, as well as unsafe conditions creating a security issue like inadequate locks or poor lighting.

Meet With a Naperville, IL Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Premises liability can take different forms, and it is important that you know your rights while on someone else’s property. A DuPage County, IL personal injury attorney at Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can be your best advocate in a claim for compensation, making sure that you get justice for your pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation with our firm, call us at 815-730-1977 today.