As the temperatures dip, the chances of a slip-and-fall incident increase.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, more than 1 million people visit emergency rooms due to a slip and fall. If you fall on someone else’s property and get injured, you may wonder what options you have.
1. What should I do after a fall?
Seeking medical should also top the list after an incident. Even though you may think you are fine, some injuries take time to show up. Next, document as much as you can. As some from Illinois, you know that the weather could change at any moment. Taking pictures or videos of the location where you fell ensures you capture the conditions that led to your fall. Additionally, write down all details that pertain to how the incident happened and contact information for any witnesses.
2. What responsibilities does a property owner have?
In, Illinois slip-and-fall incidents due to ice or snow often do not favor the victim. Property owners do not hold liability for natural accumulation. That includes not shoveling or icing. Even natural water puddles inside of a building or tramped down snow fall in the natural category. If the property owner aggravates the situation, victims have more rights. Those situations may look like a property defect or actions that create unnatural accumulation, such as piling up snow near an entrance.
3. What might I recover with litigation?
While every situation ends differently, litigation may result in recouping medical costs and lost wages. Depending on the severity, you may also seek compensation for pain and suffering damages.
Although avoiding a fall remains ideal, the unexpected happens. As a victim, you still have rights.