When you set foot onto another’s property, you do not expect to come away with an injury. You assume that the property is safe for your visit.
Unfortunately, not all property managers and owners exercise due care for the safety of their guests. Accidents happen, leaving victims with injuries requiring lengthy and expensive medical treatment.
In the best-case scenario, a personal injury is inconvenient. Much more often, the consequences are far-reaching and possibly devastating. If you or someone you love was hurt on another’s property, a Bloomington premises liability lawyer can help review your case and explain your legal options for financial recovery.
Contact a Bloomington personal injury lawyer from Onward Injury Law in Bloomington today.
Types of Premises Liability Hazards and Injuries
An accident can happen for any number of reasons, but some causes of injuries are more common than others.
The following list includes some of the more prevalent accidents or hazards that give rise to premises liability cases in Bloomington:
- Tripping hazards
- Fires
- Noxious fumes or chemicals
- Plumbing leaks or flooding
- Swimming pool incidents
- Insecure decks or balconies
- Stairwells in disrepair
- Elevator or escalator malfunctions
- Accumulated snow and ice
Here are some common injuries you can sustain in a premises liability accident:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Burns from fires, chemicals, or hot surfaces
- Dislocations or joint injuries
- Soft tissue injuries, such as bruising or torn ligaments
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
- Drowning or near-drowning incidents in swimming pool accidents
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Overview of Premises Liability Law in Illinois
The idea of premises liability is to ensure accountability on the part of property owners who host visitors, particularly invited guests. There needs to be a high degree of confidence that if, for example, a shop patron enters a clothing store, they will not be at risk of a slip and fall due to loose floorboards or other hazards.
A central question in premises liability lawsuits is whether the property owner or manager has a legal duty to protect visitors. Generally, landowners owe a duty of reasonable care to people who legally enter their property.
The relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant determines the existence of a legal duty. What the plaintiff was doing on the property and why can be determinative factors. If charged with a legal duty, the landowner has some degree of responsibility for warning or protecting visitors from hazards on their property.
A plaintiff must then prove that the defendant breached their duty by acting or failing to act reasonably. Breach of duty can be a challenging element to prove because of the various defenses available to landowners. A commonly raised defense is that the plaintiff themselves did not act reasonably or that they used the property in an unforeseeable way.
Next, a Bloomington premises liability plaintiff must show that they were injured, and that the defendant’s breach of their duty proximately caused the injuries. Causation can be a hang-up because of the fact-intensive nature of the inquiry and counter-arguments.
Proving liability in these cases can be challenging. Thankfully, a qualified premises liability lawyer can handle your claim for you. They’ll do all the hard work so you can recover from your injury in peace.
Contact a Bloomington Premises Liability Attorney
If you were hurt while visiting another’s property, an experienced premises liability lawyer could help you navigate the legal landscape and understand the strengths and weaknesses of your personal injury case. Potential compensation could include reimbursement for medical bills and damages for the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident.
The party responsible should be held accountable to compensate you and to deter them from repeating their careless behavior in the future. Get in touch with a Bloomington personal injury attorney today to schedule a free consultation.
FAQ: Bloomington Premises Liability Lawyer
A Bloomington premises liability lawyer can provide you with legal advice and representation throughout your case. They will start by evaluating your situation, gathering evidence, and determining if you have a valid claim. They will then negotiate with insurance companies and other responsible parties on your behalf to pursue a fair settlement for your injuries. If necessary, a premises liability lawyer can also take your personal injury case to trial, advocating for your best interests and seeking the maximum compensation possible under the law.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the injury date. However, exceptions may apply, such as when the injured person is a minor or when the injury was discovered later. It’s essential to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to navigate the legal process and meet the specific deadlines for your case.
Settlement amounts for premises liability claims vary greatly depending on factors like injury severity, negligence, and financial impact. Influential factors include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, property damage, and sometimes punitive damages. Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to millions for severe cases. Consulting an experienced premises liability attorney is crucial for obtaining maximum compensation.