Dealing with Summertime Slip and Fall Injuries in Illinois

 Posted on July 15, 2020 in Blog Post

There are many different ways that someone can get hurt. Accidents can occur in various environments, including the home, public places such as parks, restaurants, or stores. Injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious and even life-threatening conditions. In some cases, they can affect the rest of someone’s life. Slip-and-fall accidents might not sound like they would be that severe, but they can cause significant injuries to people of all ages. Although they are fairly common in inclement weather, especially in snowy or icy conditions, slip-and-falls can also occur in warm weather. Property owners have a responsibility to properly maintain their buildings and grounds; otherwise, visitors may suffer injuries.

Premises Liability Act

According to the Illinois Premises Liability Act, business and property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and secure in order to prevent guests from any harm. If owners or managers fail to take reasonable care to maintain the property, they may be held accountable for damages that occur as a result. However, this law does not apply to individuals who are trespassing and get hurt on the property.

Injuries that are a result of the negligence of a property owner can be due to damaged sidewalks, staircases, hand railings, faulty elevators, or poorly maintained swimming pools. We all know that slipping on ice in the winter can be a common occurrence. However, swimming pool surfaces can be extremely slick due to all the water that splashes from the pool. In addition, restaurant floors or patios can be slippery if drinks or food spills and they are not cleaned up by staff members in a timely manner. In other cases, rotted wood can break apart, causing patrons or visitors to lose their footing or balance and fall.

Long-Term Consequences

When an individual slips and falls, his or her first instinct might be to brace the fall with his or her hand or arm. However, this can do more damage than the actual impact of hitting the ground or pavement. Certain types of injuries, such as those that affect soft tissue, may not be immediately visible, which can make them difficult to diagnose. A person might not even realize that he or she suffered a soft tissue injury until days or weeks after falling. Soft tissue injuries range from a sprained wrist or ankle to muscle tears.

Depending on the force of impact when an individual hits the ground, an injury can require stitches, cast, surgery, or months of physical therapy to heal. When a person’s spinal cord is damaged, he or she may be paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his or her life, unable to work or live without assistance.

Here are a few of the typical injuries suffered in a slip-and-fall accident:

• Broken arms or legs
• Dislocated shoulder
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Sprains or strains
• Back and neck damage
• Torn tendons or ligaments

Contact a Park Ridge Premises Liability Lawyer

Slip-and-falls can happen indoors or outdoors for many different reasons. A qualified Glenview personal injury attorney knows how important it is for victims of accidents to determine liability for injuries and hold those accountable. Attorney Patrick Quinn has years of experience working as a defense lawyer for insurance companies in personal injury cases. With this unique perspective, he can help you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Call The Quinn Law Group, LLC today at 847-232-7180 to schedule your free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048