Joliet Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and fall injuries can be painful, expensive, and potentially life-altering. That is why it's so important to quickly identify the cause of your accident and get in touch with a qualified Joliet slip-and-fall lawyer who will fight for you every step.

Were you or your loved one injured in a slip and fall injury? If so, the personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC's law office have been helping clients like you recover compensation for their damages since 1987. A Joliet slip-and-fall lawyer knows how to protect his injured clients' rights while negotiating on their behalf to obtain fair settlements or jury awards when necessary.

Contact a Joliet slip and fall injury lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.

Our law offices work on a contingency fee basis in all our personal injury practice areas, which means you only have to pay us if we secure a settlement or jury award on your behalf. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Illinois and National Slip and Fall Statistics

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries for people 65 and older, accounting for more than 26% of all non-fatal injuries during that age group.

The CPSC also reports that fall-related fatalities are most common among adults 15 to 64 years, and the leading cause is falling off ladders and roofs. However, a slip-and-fall accident can occur anywhere and anytime, especially during wet or icy conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost one in ten Americans aged 45 falls annually. In addition, the CDC reveals that falls are responsible for more than 1 million emergency room visits annually, with 25,000 of these ending in death.

Some slips and falls are not the results of slippery conditions but the negligence of Illinois property owners, such as leaking or overflowing sewage systems, wet floors, uneven walking surfaces, and inadequate lighting.

Statistics show that most slipping and falling in hospitals and nursing homes are preventable. The property owner of these facilities might be responsible for accidents caused on the premises. Additionally, data reveals that these accidents are more likely to occur when the facility is understaffed.

After a fall, it's essential to seek medical treatment right away. Minor injuries may develop into severe complications if not treated promptly.

If your injuries were caused by another's negligence or another party involved, contact our Joliet personal injury lawyers for a free consultation; call (888) 424-5757 to discuss your legal rights to receive compensation.

A Joliet Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

The Joliet slip and fall accident attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, specialize in helping injured victims hurt in a fall, whether while on the job or because of premises liability where the property owner can be held liable.

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are the most common and severe injuries reported and can quickly change the victim's life forever. Piling medical bills, lost wages, devastating injuries, and medical expenses are just a few of the things that affect the victim after an accident happened.

A Joliet personal injury attorney can explore all legal avenues to recover the compensation you need to pay for medical expenses, out-of-pocket costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Their efforts can help you move forward after such an accident.

Our legal team can investigate the cause of your slip and fall accident, which will likely include gathering evidence by interviewing witnesses at the time of your accident and identifying another's negligence.

If you've already spoken to an insurance company or filed an injury claim, Our Joliet personal injury lawyers can also help you get back on track with that process.

Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Joliet

Most people experience slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace. Still, our injury lawyers have helped people obtain compensation in a timely manner from disasters resulting from poor building maintenance, defects in sidewalks and pavement, missing handrails, defective staircases, poor lighting, and more.

Following are some of the most common types of accidents in Joliet:

• Slips due to ice or hazards: Property owners must keep walkways and paths clear of ice, debris, and other dangers that can threaten public safety. The property owner may be liable when someone is injured in a fall due to poor ground maintenance.
• Falls in elevators: Defective elevator doors can expose people to fall hazards, resulting in serious injuries. If the victims survive, they may be changed for the rest of their lives.
• Poor lighting: Some tripping and falling accidents are caused by inadequate lighting in halls or stairs. Also, when people cannot see objects on the ground, they are more likely to be injured by tripping over them and falling.
• Defects in the pavement: Potholes are not just a hazard for vehicles. They can be a source of injury to those who step into them. From tripping to twisting or breaking an ankle, it is possible to suffer damage severe enough to set you back a significant amount of time and money.
• Slippery floors: When maintenance staff does not warn people of wet floors, the accident can cause severe injuries when hitting the floor.
• Poorly maintained balconies: In addition to missing or broken guardrails, balconies that cannot withstand the weight of their occupants can cause harm when they collapse.
• Uneven sidewalks can create hazards by making them more likely to trip or place their foot down at an awkward angle.
• Workplace slip, trip, and fall accidents: Numerous hazards are found on the job, and many can cause workers to trip or fall from great heights. As a result, thousands of workers have suffered injuries, pain, and emotional distress in work-related accidents every year.

A personal injury lawyer from our Joliet office Can ensure that your legal issue is handled before the statute of limitations (two-year window) restricts you from seeking compensation in the future.

The value of your personal injury case will be based on several factors, including the extent of your injuries, your ongoing medical expenses, and the level of your pain and suffering.

Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

These types of accidents can cause different injuries, depending on the type of surface, the height of the fall, and other factors unique to your situation.

Our personal injury law firm recognizes some of the most common injuries as:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Sudden trauma to the head can cause microtears in the brain that swell with blood and fluids. These injuries need treatment promptly to avoid more significant harm. Over time, it can cause long-term loss of cognitive function.
• Fractures: Broken bones are common in such accidents and may require extensive medical treatment to repair if they are severe. In addition, victims with broken bones need to keep the affected limb immobilized for an extended period, making it difficult to return to work even in the best personal injury claims.
• Neural retinopathy: Damage to the nerves can result in diminished motor function, loss of feeling, or severe pain.
• Injuries to the back: A fall can easily cause injuries to the back, such as herniated discs, broken vertebrae, or a fractured spine.
• Death: Falls from great heights can result in life-ending injuries, and victims' families deserve fair financial compensation for the lost wages and companionship of their lost ones.

Every property owner must take all reasonable steps to provide a safe environment for those using the building. If the property owner or building management knew of a hazard, saw the warning signs, or did not perform routine maintenance, victims may file a lawsuit to recover damages.

Slip and Fall Accidents & Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Surviving families who lost a loved one from such an accident could file a civil lawsuit citing wrongful death caused by someone else's negligence. These are complex personal injury cases to prosecute, but the civil tort law allows families to recover damages for financial loss due to the death of a loved one.

Qualifying family members usually include surviving spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Additionally, family members such as grandparents sometimes qualify to be included in a wrongful death lawsuit if they depended on the deceased for financial or emotional support.

Types of Damages That Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Claim

The most common types of damages sought after in slip and fall lawsuits are outlined below:

• Medical bills: Expenses incurred from the slip and fall can be included in a personal injury claim for damages.
• Pain and suffering: The loss could have caused the family member to suffer emotionally, an aspect of damages that can be claimed.
• Funeral and burial expenses: If the decedent did not have sufficient insurance to cover the costs, expenses could be included in a wrongful death case.
• Loss of future earning capacity: Estimates how much money the family member would have made over their lifetime.

Slip and Falls in Nursing Homes

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing home staff may overlook or intentionally leave dangerous conditions or items in their path. As a result, many people are injured by these hazards every year.

The rate is even higher for elderly victims, who often experience a more serious injury than younger patients.

Some reasons for slipping and falling in nursing homes include:

• Understaffing: Some facilities do not employ sufficient staff to meet all residents' needs. Understaffing might result from failing to hire competent nurses and nursing aides or a high turnover rate among nursing staff.
• Neglecting routine safety inspections: Some facilities do not regularly complete a thorough inspection or hire a dedicated maintenance worker to address hazards.
• Improperly maintained equipment: Sometimes, staff members do not adequately maintain walkers and wheelchairs, which can lead to a fall.
• Negligent flooring: After residents finish using showers and baths, facilities may use too much disinfectant on the floor rather than invest in a safer alternative, such as a slip-resistant product.
• Improper or missing handrails and grab bars: Nursing home residents often use these railings to help them walk, but some facilities do not install or maintain these safety features.

Slip and falls in nursing homes can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, head trauma, and back and hip injuries. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, visit the facility often and ask how often they inspect for hazards.

If your loved one falls, take pictures of where the accident happened, if possible; Note any factors which contributed to the accident, such as debris, wet floors, or warning signs (or lack thereof); These will be significant evidence when filing your compensation claim.

Insurance Companies and Bad Faith Offers

Most personal injury cases, including all slip and fall accidents, are resolved when the injured party (plaintiff) and their attorney settle with the defendant and their insurance company by negotiating.

However, without legal representation, the injured party is mainly at the mercy of the insurance company or claims adjuster making a lowball offer to resolve the claim. Usually, these offers are significantly lower than the case's actual value.

Some injured victims hire a personal injury lawyer to work and negotiate. As a result, you can usually expect a higher settlement with legal representation than if you worked with the insurance company alone.

Another critical aspect of litigation is bad faith claims handling. Sometimes, an insurance company will act in bad faith by refusing to pay on legitimate claims or offering only a small settlement amount. In contrast, the claim is still new and open rather than working towards an amicable resolution.

Disagreeing with the Offer or Offering a Counteroffer

Often, the insurance company will make an offer to resolve a personal injury lawsuit; if you do not agree or counteroffer, they may refuse to continue settlement discussions and even leave it up to the individual victim to prove their personal injury case in court.

A skilled personal injury lawyer can help resolve your claim without going to court and help you understand the claims process and their offer to make an informed decision.

All personal injury accidents with devastating injuries are different, and all insurance companies handle settlement offers differently. Seek legal representation if your personal injury case is complicated or involves severe injuries like those mentioned above.

Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Can Help with Settlement Negotiations

Any accident or injury can overwhelm a person, but an experienced slip-and-fall injury lawyer will help guide you through the aftermath.

The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyer, LLC, are happy to offer a free consultation for anyone who has suffered an injury because of someone else's negligence.

Statistics show that approximately 95% of slip and fall accident cases are resolved through negotiations with the defendant's attorneys or insurance company.

The remaining personal injury cases are usually resolved at trial, where the judge or jury decides how fair and full compensation will be paid.

Many personal injury lawyers are hesitant to go to trial because it is expensive and time-consuming. Still, our attorneys feel our injured clients deserve the best chance of getting a favorable outcome in their cases.

Let Our Joliet Slip and Fall Attorneys Work on Your Behalf

Filing an injury lawsuit after a serious incident is never easy. Victims may need help understanding their rights and getting maximum compensation for economic losses. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC has recovered damages for thousands of clients in the Joliet area.

In addition to working with insurance companies, our law firm can determine whether you can file a claim against negligent property owners so that you can:

• Afford the quality medical care you need
• Meet your financial obligations during your recovery
• Afford any out-of-pocket expenses that you may incur while you are going through rehabilitation

Contact our personal injury law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use our online contact form now for immediate legal advice and schedule a free legal consultation!

Contingency Fee Agreement

If our personal injury law firm cannot obtain financial compensation on your behalf, you are assured that our time and services will cost you nothing. We accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

This agreement ensures you will owe our law firm nothing if your Joliet personal injury lawyer cannot win your slip and fall claim.

Our Cook County law office provides legal services to clients and related practice areas, including car accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, premises liability, dangerous drugs, medical negligence, and wrongful death.

Resources:

• NIH - An Analysis of Slip and Fall Incidents During Winter
• NSC - Trip and Fall Injuries