Personal Injury

Injuries can happen anywhere.  Premises liability deals with those instances when individuals are injured on someone else’s property.  If you are injured on another’s property, injuries may give rise to liability, for example, if the owner or occupier of the property did not keep the sidewalk in good repair, negligently failed to clear ice or snow properly, or left a television hanging in a school where it could fall onto a child.

Examples of common premises liability cases involve:

• Slip and falls
• Household appliances and consumer products
• Dog bites
• Broken stairs or sidewalks
• Falling objects
• Fires or explosions
• Inadequate security
• Other dangerous conditions

If you are suffering from injuries caused by another person’s negligence or carelessness, make sure you hire a lawyer who understands the complex and often arcane world of this area of the law.  Premises liability is an area of the law that is quite confusing and specialized.  Confronting the legal system alone can cost money and prolong pain and suffering.  Simply making the mistake of giving a statement to an insurance company or failing to understand what the legally applicable statute of limitations is can prevent you from recovering anything.

Helpful tips if you are injured

If you are injured on another’s property or place of business, there are some important tips to keep in mind that will help expedite your case and ensure your ultimate recovery:

1. Report the incident immediately to the owner of the property or business.
2. Investigate the scene of the accident to determine the circumstances that caused the injuries and the potential parties who may have failed to properly exercise their duty of care.
3. Take photographs of the area and preserve any evidence from the scene.
4. Make a record of the names of workers, employees, or other individuals who may have witnessed the accident.
5. In the case of slip and fall accidents, make special note of the conditions on the ground or floor, including water, ice, or snow accumulation, objects obstructing the walkway, or worn out or torn carpet, mats, or flooring.
6. Do not make statements to property owners, insurance companies, or other parties.  Your statements may be prejudicial to your case.
7. Seek appropriate medical treatment for any injuries as soon as possible.  It is important to have a medical record of injuries immediately following the incident, before the condition worsens.
8. Consult with an attorney at the earliest possible convenience.  In personal injury cases, time is critical.  Illinois law imposes a two-year statute of limitations in most personal injury cases.  If the limitations period expires, your right to recovery may be permanently barred.

For those who are seriously injured as a result of another’s negligence or misconduct, contact Attorney Stephen Hoffman today to discuss what can be done to compensate you for your injuries.  Visit the Results page to learn how Stephen has helped other injured victims successfully recover for their injuries.