Building code violations create unsafe conditions, such as inadequate lighting, uneven flooring, dangerous stairways, defective or missing handrails, unsafe balconies, and leaky pipes, that can lead to slip and fall accidents and injuries. Building code violations can subject the responsible parties to liability for the resulting damages. Proving the existence of a building code violation can strengthen your slip and fall claim and help speed up the claims process.
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You may be entitled to receive compensation if you or a loved one was injured in a building that wasn’t up to code. Call the Chicago slip and fall lawyers at Ankin Law at 312-600-0000 for a free consultation.
Common Building Code Violations That Cause Slip and Falls
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, falls are the leading cause of injuries and accidental death in older Illinois adults. Chicago has enacted building codes to prevent mishaps like slips and falls. Building code violations can lead to slip and fall accidents. These accidents can occur in residential properties as well as commercial establishments. Code violations can even cause a slip and fall at Chicago’s top attractions.
Building code violations that commonly cause slip and fall accidents and injuries include:
Defective Stairs
Deficiencies in stairs are one of the most common building code violations. The City of Chicago has building codes for stairs, including the maximum height for residential and institutional settings, depth, consistency in step dimensions, and railing placement. Noncompliant stairs can cause missteps and dangerous falls. Some of the most common slip and fall injuries on stairs include head injuries, broken bones, and back injuries.
Improper Ramp Design
The Chicago Building Code specifies the maximum slope requirements to reduce the risk of falls. It also provides additional requirements for ramps depending on their grade, such as a slip-resistant surface and handrails. A ramp that doesn’t meet these requirements may be too steep, uneven, and unsafe for users, causing serious fall injuries.
Defective or Missing Handrails
Building codes specify the size, height, and stability requirements for handrails to ensure they’re easy to grasp and provide support. Handrails that aren’t installed and maintained according to code can lead to serious slips, trips, and falls down a ramp, escalator, or flight of stairs.
Inadequate Lighting
Building codes require adequate lighting in critical areas like stairwells and hallways. Poor lighting makes it hard to see hazards and increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Faulty Plumbing
Faulty plumbing can cause leaks. The puddles of water that form can lead to slips and falls.
Who Is Liable for Slip and Fall Injuries Caused by Code Violations in Chicago?
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident caused by code violations, you may be able to pursue legal action against the liable party and receive compensation for your injuries and damages. In most cases of building code violations in Chicago, the property owner is the liable party.
Code violations can help you prove that a property owner was negligent. Chicago property owners are required by law to keep their homes, businesses, and other buildings up to code. Adherence to local codes in designing and maintaining buildings helps ensure the health and safety of building occupants and visitors.
You can show that a code violation existed and was the cause of your slip and fall accident to hold the owner legally responsible for your injuries through the legal principle of negligence per se. Under negligence per se, a violation of a law or regulation is considered automatically negligent. Under the doctrine, you don’t have to establish the “duty of care” and breach of duty” elements of negligence. The building code violation automatically establishes the breach of duty. Proving your case if there’s a building code violation could be easier, as you’d only need to prove the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries.
More than one party could be liable for injuries caused by building code violations. Contractors and architects could also be liable if they made mistakes or took shortcuts that led to code violations. Building managers, maintenance companies, and even city inspectors who failed to identify and enforce code compliance could be held liable. A personal injury lawyer experienced in premises liability accidents could help you determine the parties liable for your injuries and ensure you take the right steps to pursue a claim.
When to Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Chicago
Seek prompt legal advice if you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident that was due to building code violations. While building code violations may make it easier to show a property owner’s negligence, these violations and their ramifications aren’t always obvious. A meticulous examination of the property, construction plans, and inspection reports may be required. What’s more, expert testimony may be necessary to connect the code violation with the slip and fall injuries.
A Chicago slip and fall attorney will conduct thorough investigations to uncover the code violation that applies to your situation. Your attorney will retain an expert to analyze the violation further and provide testimony to support your claim. Your attorney will continue advocating for your rights as you receive the necessary treatment and focus on your recovery.
Chicago slip and fall victims typically have two years from the date of the slip and fall accident to file a claim. For slip and fall accidents on government property, you’ll have one year from the accident date to file a notice of the claim. Speak with a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to prevent the time limits applicable to your case from passing. Your lawyer will start investigating the circumstances of your slip and fall right away and ensure you meet all the filing deadlines.
Ankin Law has been helping Illinois slip and fall victims recover compensation for their injuries since 1940. When you choose to work with us, we cover the costs of investigations, retaining experts, and filing your case. We only charge you attorney fees when we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
