Peoria Slip and Fall Lawyer

Should someone suffer injuries from a slip and fall caused by another person or entity's negligence, they may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. However, there are several things to consider before filing such a claim.

The law firm of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC has been helping clients in Illinois file their personal injury claims for years. Their legal team will help ensure all necessary steps are taken to secure your rightful compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering damages incurred in a slip and fall accident.

Call a Peoria personal injury attorney at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Illinois Slip and Fall Statistics

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, the most common slip and fall accidents occur in grocery stores. Other popular locations include restaurants, schools, commercial buildings, and hospitals.

The following statistics are provided by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Each year over 16 million people are injured because of stairs or steps malfunctions 
• Over 5 million people are treated for falls caused by slips and trips each year
• 80% of fall injuries occur in the home
• Slips and falls cause over 7000 deaths every year

Illinois Slip and Fall Accident Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, at least 81 fatal injuries, 3200 hospitalizations, and 165,000 emergency room visits due to slip or trip accidents in Illinois each year. Over-the-counter pain medications are the most common prescription treatment for falls.

Using stairs or walking down a flight of stairs is popular in Illinois, making slips and falls all the more likely to happen. Unfortunately, dangerous areas, uneven surfaces, and icy sidewalks at a grocery store, parking lot, or intersection can cause catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage.

How To Prove Liability in A Slip and Fall Claim?

To win your lawsuit, you must be able to prove that someone else is liable for your accident. In addition, you must prove that:

• The defendant or defendants owed you a duty of care
• They breached the duty of care by their negligent behavior
• There was a good connection between their actions and your serious injuries
• You were harmed in some way

What To Include in Your Claim?

If you wish to file a suit against another party, you must ensure that your claim includes several things.

For example, you should include the defendant's name, the date of the incident and location where it happened, any pictures or videos showing how unsafe the area was when you were hurt, and finally, a detailed explanation of how your fall occurred.

Your slip and fall attorneys will be able to assist in preparing the best possible claim for your serious injuries.

Illinois Statute of Limitations: What Is the Time Limit for Filing A Slip And Fall Lawsuit In Illinois?

Personal injury cases have a statute of limitations in Illinois. It means that you must file your claim within two years from the date of the incident.

While this may seem like enough time, it is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible so that you can get the best representation possible.

Paying the Fee If We Win a Settlement

If we obtain a settlement for you from your insurance company, attorney's fees will be paid by your insurer-- not by you! The slip and fall lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are paid only after obtaining compensation from another party on behalf of our clients.

In some cases, no money is owed to our firm, even if we win a case. Therefore our fees are paid by the defendants' insurance companies--not you! These cases are typically resolved to ensure that owed compensation pays for medical expenses, hospital costs, lost earnings, future wages, pain, and suffering.

Life-Altering Changes

A slip or fall can quickly change your life, setting you back for months as you recover from your injuries. More serious accidents can even result in permanent disability, accompanied by physical and emotional anguish as the victim struggles to cope with the reality of the diminished quality of living.

The Peoria County slip and fall attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are committed to leaving no stone unturned when utilizing the many avenues available to recover fair compensation for your injuries.

We will make sure that you receive no less than what the law allows. Call us at (888) 424-5757 today for a free initial consultation.

How Slip and Fall Accidents Occur in Peoria

While slip and fall accidents are more likely on the job, they can also occur when property managers do not take the needed steps to protect their guests from common hazards.

Poor building maintenance, defective equipment, and property not built to code are all contributors to these types of accidents, and negligent building management needs to be held accountable whenever someone is harmed.

Here are the most common causes for slips and falls we've seen:

• Defective pavement and sidewalks: Uneven pavement and sidewalks can present a tripping hazard for people coming and going, while potholes and other defects in the pavement can pose similar hazards.
• Adverse weather: It should go without saying that property managers need to be prepared for inclement weather in our climate. Ice and snow are external hazards and can become interior hazards when they are tracked indoors by guests. Management must ensure steps are taken to clear parking lots and sidewalks while laying down materials inside to provide traction when the floors become wet.
• Lack of lighting: Dimly lit staircases, poorly lit hallways, and lack of lighting in areas that guests use to enter and leave the building can contribute to accidents by making it more difficult to see objects that pose a tripping hazard.
• Defective staircases: Building owners must know any problems with staircases and act on them quickly to ensure that guests do not hurt themselves on broken steps or because of excessive clutter or poor lighting.
• Poorly built balconies: A balcony collapse can be devastating, and these incidents occur because of poor construction and maintenance practices. Balconies also need adequate guardrails that can bear the weight of the people leaning against them.
• Workplace hazards: Employers must also ensure that their workers and guests have access to a safe environment. It means warning workers of wet floors and other potential hazards and keeping common areas free of clutter and debris, which may pose a trip or slip hazard. Proper guardrails and safety equipment must also be used to minimize the risk of fall accidents.

Slip and Falls in Nursing Homes

Data reveals that many nursing home residents suffer from severe neglect, mistreatment, and a lack of supervision, leading to slipping, falling, and severe injuries. In Illinois, nursing homes must provide adequate supervision, support services, and even special equipment for their residents. Yet many nursing home owners short-change these needs to maximize profits.

Unsafe Bed Rails

Bed rails are designed to keep patients from falling when leaving their bed or chair. Most facilities purchase "suction cups" or adjustable railings because they are easy to install. But suction cup railings are not safe because the suction cups do not always work properly. And adjustable railings don't fit tightly enough to prevent patients from pulling them loose and risking a fall.

The most important element in preventing patient falls is ensuring that bed rails, grab bars, shower rails, and toilet safety frames are properly secured to the wall or floor.

Most facilities use a metal bracket specifically designed for the purpose. But some find it more economical to use an ordinary "L" bracket from a local hardware store. The problem is, these brackets were not made to hold up a 250-pound person in an emergency -- and most hardware stores do not carry the extra-long versions that are needed.

A person weighing 250 pounds could certainly afford to buy a replacement rail from a medical supply store -- if they had this choice.

But most residents of nursing homes have no money and no say in where they live. So when these patients try to replace unsafe rails, they often find that the staff has thrown them away.

Workplace Slip and Falls

Many workers slip and fall on their way to work, during break periods, or even while working. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that employers pay between $15 billion and $20 billion a year because of slips, trips, and falls.

They also report that slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of worker injuries in many industries. Some of the most dangerous industries for a slip and fall accident include construction, retail stores, restaurants, bars, and maintenance.

Workplace accidents can be prevented by following certain safety precautions to avoid putting your employees at risk.

Employers should follow these guidelines to prevent workplace slip and fall accidents:

• Post warning signs for wet floors, icy sidewalks, or other potential hazards where they can easily be seen
• Keep walkways, floors, and stairs free of clutter
• Make sure the exits are well lit at night
• Be sure that all pathway lighting is angled so no one will trip over it when working outside in dark conditions

The best way to make sure that your workplace is safe is to conduct regular inspections. Check for tripping hazards, worn or frayed carpets, slippery floors, and any other problems that could lead to accidents.

Finally, complete a daily inspection of all stairs and exits before work begins. It may take 20 minutes, but it will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Most workplace slip and fall accidents can be avoided by paying attention to the fundamentals of safe flooring, lighting, cleaning, and maintenance.

In addition, employers must take reasonable measures to protect workers from potential hazards so that they do not have to fear a life-threatening injury on their way to work or while working.

Injuries That Could Result from Peoria Slip and Fall Accidents

Depending on location, surface, the height of a fall, and other factors, a slip or fall accident can cause injuries of varying degrees of severity.

Some of the most common injuries that we see include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries: The problem with traumatic brain injuries is that they can escape the notice of medical professionals until it is too late. For example, after sustaining trauma to the head, the slipped, and fall accident victim's brain may have micro tears filled with blood and fluids. Over time, this can cause severe brain damage, impacting cognitive function, concentration, memory, and motor function.
• Neural retinopathy: This condition occurs when nerves are damaged in a slip and fall accident and can cause loss of feeling in the affected limb, diminished motor function, a tingling or stinging sensation, or severe pain as the damaged nerve sends the wrong signals back to the brain.
• Spinal and back injuries: A slip and fall accident from significant heights can result in back and spine injuries. Still, a trip or slip can also cause damage to the back or spine in the form of ruptured discs, broken vertebrae, and damage to the spinal cord itself.
• Broken bones: It should be no surprise that fractures are extremely common injuries resulting in a slip and fall accident as it is a natural reflex to tense while bracing for an impact. It places extra pressure on the bones and makes the body more rigid. Broken bones are also common because individuals, who trip, or slip may instinctively throw out their hands to break the fall.
• Cumulative trauma disorders: Over time, injuries in a slip and fall accident can cause repeated life-threatening injury to the body, resulting in rashes, arthritis, bursitis, and other degenerative conditions related to repetitive use.
• Facial injuries: A slip and fall accident can cause contusions, lacerations, and other injuries, depending on the height of the fall. In addition, falls resulting in broken bones may injure the face as the victim's teeth slam together or their hands slap down to catch their balance.
• Head injuries: Concussions, subdural hematomas, and other types of traumatic brain injury are extremely likely to occur because of slipping and falling.
• Ear injuries: Those who slip and fall can end up banging their ears on the ground, which is why all individuals must wear ear protection when walking or playing in areas where there may be uneven terrains, such as sporting fields and hiking trails.
• Broken teeth: As with other types of accidents, it is common for people to bite down on their teeth when they slip and fall. Depending on how hard the body hits the ground, it puts them at risk of broken teeth and other mouth injuries.
• Burns: Third to first-degree burns are the unfortunate risks of injuries in a slip and fall accident due to poor lighting or cluttered areas near exits or other areas that people must walk through.

Unfortunately, experiencing a slip and fall accident is extremely common in Central Illinois, leading to thousands of injuries every year. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you must contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights.

Peoria Slip and Fall Injury Claims

Claims typically involve dangerous conditions on a property owner's premises. For example, a slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips or trips and falls on an area of either water or ice or some other substance that renders the floor in a particular location slippery.

The claimant must prove that they were harmed by falling to receive financial compensation from the property owner.

Often the plaintiff's slip and fall attorneys will turn to forensics experts to determine the cause of the fall. These experts typically take measurements, videotape accident scenes, and take photos of the slip and fall injuries sustained by the victim.

Peoria Slip and Falls & Wrongful Death

Surviving family members who lost a loved one in a fatal East Peoria slip and fall accident have a legal right to file a civil lawsuit citing wrongful death. These cases typically involve dangerous conditions on a property owner's premises.

Qualifying family members typically include surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and siblings. In addition, every family member is entitled to file a wrongful death case seeking financial compensation.

The total financial recovery varies depending on the unique facts and circumstances surrounding every incident, including the amount of lost income, both present, and future. Each family member is entitled to file their lawsuit even if filing separately due to legal restrictions in some cases.

A Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Can Help Recover Compensation After an Accident at Home or Work

Are you currently injured from a slip or trip? Has someone else been hurt due to your negligence? If so, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages with the help of an experienced attorney.

At the law offices of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Peoria personal injury lawyers are committed to helping you get the money you deserve for your severe or common injuries suffered in a fall accident.

We have more than ten years of legal experience representing clients just like you who have been seriously hurt due to the negligence of others.

Our slip and fall lawyers could also help you file a workers' compensation claim for lost wages and medical benefits if you were harmed in a workplace accident. Again, our attorneys will fight hard to get you what is rightfully yours.

Request a free case evaluation today with our fall accident law firm by calling (888) 424-5757 or completing our contact form.

Our law firm accepts all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This promise ensures you pay nothing until your Peoria slip and fall lawyer resolves your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.

Experienced Peoria Slip and Fall Lawyer Resources:

• NIH - Slipping and tripping: fall injuries in adults associated with rugs and carpets
• NIH - Economic dimensions of slip and fall injuries

Slip and falls cause more than one-third of all emergency room visits due to common injuries, more than 28 million people each year. Nearly 800,000 of these accident victims are treated in the emergency room and released after a slip and fall accident, while another 1600 people die from their serious injuries.

The statistics associated with slip and falls are truly horrifying. These accidents could have been prevented had property owners just ensured that their property was free from dangerous conditions. Many of these hazards involved wet floors or broken steps.

Unfortunately, this is not true, and every year, countless people find themselves injured after what was supposed to be a routine walk across a floor or parking lot.