What Happens if I Slip and Fall in an Illinois Restaurant?
Illinoians today dine out more than they ever have, saving themselves the time and effort of preparing meals after a long day of work. Unfortunately, people dining out more often also means an increase in mild and serious injuries that occur on Illinois restaurant premises. Restaurant owners have a duty of reasonable care to their customers, and nobody wants their evening out spoiled by a disaster because of negligence on the part of a restaurant owner. But because injuries do sometimes occur at restaurants, the injured party should always consider learning about their legal options with an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney.
What Is a Duty of Reasonable Care?
No matter the type of business, Illinois law requires property owners and businesses to provide a safe environment for visitors, guests, and customers. This is called a duty of reasonable care and business owners can exercise their duty of reasonable care by posting warnings about the danger (such as wet floor pylons) and ensuring proper maintenance.
Three conditions must be met in order for a business to be held liable (or responsible) for the injury of a patron on the premises:
- The business owner knew or should have known, about the dangerous situation
- The customer could not have known or discovered the dangerous situation
- The business owner did not practice reasonable care to protect the injured visitor
Failure to provide reasonable care that results in injury may entitle the victim to compensation, such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Do People Get Injured at Restaurants?
Restaurants handle hot food and beverages, and a customer who comes into contact with a very hot plate, boiling water, or hot coffee may be seriously injured. Additionally, broken glass or dishware may cause cuts, and a fall downstairs can cause broken bones, concussions, and other major injuries.
Liquids, oils, and solid objects are often on floors where they do not belong, posing hazards to visitors who might slip and fall. Business owners may also be responsible if they improperly clear snow or ice and a customer slips, trips, or falls.
Speak with a Glenview Personal Injury Attorney
Nobody wants to end a visit to a restaurant by falling and getting injured, but if this has happened to you, the time to act is now. If you or someone you love has been hurt at a dining establishment in Illinois, consider seeking professional legal help from a Des Plaines premises liability lawyer. The skilled, compassionate attorneys at Quinn Law Group, LLC have experience working with personal injury cases and will help you understand your options under Illinois law. Call us today at 847-232-7180 and schedule your free consultation.
Source:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57