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Navigating an unsafe staircase can lead to a serious and potentially life-altering fall. Holding a landowner legally liable for a stairway accident can be more challenging than expected. In some cases, they may try to accuse you of being at fault for your own injuries and losses.
In such circumstances, the guidance of a seasoned legal professional can be invaluable. Throughout the legal journey for a stairwell accident in Cook County, your trained premises liability attorney can be your advocate, ensuring your rights are upheld and pursuing compensation.
Illinois law imposes a duty of care on landowners. It requires them to warn visitors about hazards on their land, and fix or block off these dangers within a reasonable time after learning of them. In addition, landowners must inspect their property regularly, either on their own or through an employee, to be aware of new hazards.
In lawsuits over stairwell accidents in Cook County, landowners are not automatically liable for injuries on their property. That said, they may be held responsible for harm that stems directly from their failure to fulfill their duty of care. Dangerous conditions in a stairwell which a landowner would be expected to warn about and fix upon discovery include:
During a private consultation, a seasoned personal injury attorney could review the circumstances that led up to a stairwell incident and offer preliminary guidance about whether a person has grounds for a civil claim.
If a landowner in Cook County can be held legally liable for a stairwell injury a person suffered on their property, the plaintiff can demand restitution from them for economic and non-economic consequences. Economic compensation can include past and expected medical bills, as well as lost work earnings, lost future working capacity, and personal property damage sustained in the accident.
Non-economic damages are subjective in nature and center around physical pain and suffering, but they can also cover forms of psychological trauma and lost enjoyment of life due to long-term disability. If a person falls on a defective staircase and suffers a severe neck injury or paralysis, the years of physical therapy and lost enjoyment of life should be considered in the compensation. Legal counsel can offer more guidance about the losses a person could seek recovery for during a confidential meeting.
No matter how many steps or what they are made from, falling in a stairwell can lead to serious injuries with long-lasting repercussions. Fortunately, you may be able to hold the property owner liable for your ensuing losses. To do so, it is important you understand and can enforce your rights under state law.
That is where a knowledgeable legal professional could step in to provide custom-tailored guidance and support. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your potential civil claim due to a stairwell accident in Cook County.