Limiting liability in slip and fall accidents

If a person slips or falls in an Illinois home or business, the owner of the property is generally liable for damages the victim incurs. There are many dangers that property owners should keep an eye out for such as torn carpeting or poor lighting. Wet floors and slippery sidewalks could also pose an injury hazard to those who encounter them. It is important to note that a business owner is not automatically at fault if a customer gets hurt.

First, it needs to be shown that the victim was injured because of a dangerous condition. It also needs to be shown that an injured victim exercised care before getting hurt. For example, running into a pole while on a cellphone may not be grounds for a premises liability case. If a business owner or operator wouldn’t or couldn’t have known about a potentially dangerous condition, he or she may not be held liable for a person’s injuries.

Business owners and operators may be able to limit their liability by warning customers, employees and vendors of dangerous conditions. It may also be a good idea to conduct regular inspections to find and remedy any hazards found on the premises. Potential hazards should be remedied as soon as possible regardless of how minor they may seem when discovered.

If someone experiences a slip-and-fall injury, it may be possible for that person to collect various forms of compensation. For instance, an injured victim may be entitled to reimbursement for medical bills incurred or for lost wages while recovering from the accident. An attorney may gather photographs, witness statements or other forms of evidence to show that property owner negligence caused a fall to occur. Compensation may be awarded after a formal trial or through a negotiated settlement.