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Anyone living in Chicago is aware of the heightened risk of slipping and falling during the snow-filled winter months, but that is just one example of potential causes. Common causes of slip and fall incidents in Chicago include poor lighting, wet surfaces, obstacles, uneven terrain, and a lack of handrails or guardrails.
If you slip and fall because of someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced and well-versed slip and fall attorney could review your case and discuss strategies for recovering damages. Call McCready Law today for more information.
Several factors can contribute to slip and falls in the Chicago area, including the following:
Chicago weather provides plenty of opportunities for wet surfaces. Rain, sleet, and melting snow can make streets, sidewalks, and entries slippery. Similarly, spills in grocery aisles can be hazardous if not promptly removed.
Property owners, store managers, and city officials have a responsibility to keep their properties safe. That means shoveling sidewalks and plowing parking lots in winter. Removing spills and obstacles from aisles and entrances must be done quickly. Where slick surfaces are unavoidable, owners must post warning signs to alert people to potential dangers.
Poorly lit areas make it difficult to see icy conditions, potholes, or obstacles. Parking lots, hallways, and stairwells often lack sufficient lighting, so people cannot avoid hazards in their path. Apartment complexes, as well as government buildings, should maintain adequate lighting to protect occupants and visitors.
Loose floorboards and broken tiles can create uneven surfaces that people cannot step over. Concrete surfaces become uneven from the freezing and thawing of Chicago winters. Similarly, unexpected changes in floor levels can unbalance people, making them more likely to fall. Posting warnings about uneven surfaces is essential to keeping others safe.
If the accident is work-related, you should inform your employer, seek medical attention, and file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier. If an accident is unrelated to work, you should file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company.
Once reported, you should gather evidence, record contact information, and collect medical records. A knowledgeable attorney who is familiar with the common causes of these cases could assist in gathering evidence and reviewing medical information.
Videos and pictures of the accident scene help visualize the area where the slip happened. Pictures can show uneven surfaces or poorly lit stairs. If an accident report was filed, ask for a copy and any other documentation related to the fall.
Request the property owner or manager’s name and contact information. Recording witness statements and their contact information provides supporting details about a slip and fall accident.
If the incident requires emergency medical attention, request a copy of the first responder’s report. All medical information, such as hospital stays, emergency services, and doctor visits, should be retained to create a record of the accident’s medical consequences.
Although injured individuals have up to two years from an accident date to file a claim, waiting can make gathering evidence and taking witness statements more challenging. For example, buildings could be shuttered, spaces remodeled or uneven surfaces repaired. Witnesses may be hard to locate, and medical professionals may have moved to a different employer.
Understanding the common causes of slip and fall incidents in Chicago can help reduce your risk of accidents. However, if an incident occurs, contact a skilled personal injury attorney from McCready Law for assistance with your claim.