Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyers
Serving Illinois since 1940, our experienced Chicago slip and fall lawyers at Ankin Law have won hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients.
We offer FREE initial consultations in our office, your home, your hospital room, or even virtually, and we accept injury cases on a contingency fee basis.
When you hire our lawyers to handle your case, you’ll benefit from:
- No up-front attorney fees
- More than 80 experienced attorneys and staff members on your side, and
- Access to top medical experts, accident investigators, and safety specialists
We welcome the opportunity to help you seek compensation in your slip and fall accident case.
Call a Chicago slip and fall lawyer at Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 or schedule your free consultation online to get started with your recovery.
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The Right Slip and Fall Attorney Can Maximize Your Recovery
If you suffered slip and fall injuries on someone else’s property, hiring the right injury attorney can help ensure you get the medical care you need, your rights are protected, and that you recover full and fair compensation for your losses.
You have nothing to lose and everything to WIN when you hire a slip and fall accident lawyer at Ankin Law.
Why Ankin Law Stands Out in the Sea of Slip and Fall Injury Attorneys in Chicago
At Ankin Law, we are not your typical personal injury law firm in Illinois. Hiring a slip and fall lawyer with Ankin Law is one of the most important steps you can take to get back on your feet after an accident in Illinois. Here’s Why.
Size Matters
Ankin Law is one of the largest injury law firms in Illinois. Our team consists of over 80 injury attorneys and staff members who are ready to help you win your case.
Magnitude of Experience
Our Chicago slip and fall accident lawyers have helped more than 25,000 victims throughout Illinois recover fair compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Invaluable Resources
We employ the services of accident reconstructionists, top medical experts, safety specialists, and other professionals to ensure your recovery is successful.
Exceptional Results
Studies reveal that only about 51% of accident victims who file personal injury claims will recover compensation without legal representation. Our slip and fall lawyers have a 99% win rate.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Case?
If you suffered serious injuries in a slip and fall incident that was caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional behavior of someone else, you may be able to file a premises liability claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover compensatory damages.
The term “compensatory damages” is used to describe the money that is awarded to compensate you for your injuries. This type of compensation is awarded to injured victims in a slip and fall case after a lawsuit is filed in civil court.
To receive compensatory damages in your slip and fall claim, your lawyer must be able to prove that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The other party was negligent, breaching that duty
- You suffered serious injuries or significant harm
- Your fall injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence
After your slip and fall lawyer determines whether there is evidence to prove negligence, that you suffered some sort of harm, and that your harm was attributable to the defendant(s) in your slip and fall accident case, we will need to quantify the amount of your losses to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Two types of compensatory damages are commonly awarded for slip and fall injuries.
Economic damages:
Also referred to as “actual damages”, economic damages are monetary losses that were caused by your slip and fall injuries. Most commonly, economic damages in slip and fall accident claims include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment
- In-home or nursing home care
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
Since you will have the burden to prove the monetary value of your economic losses to receive compensation, make sure to keep copies of your bills and receipts. When you hire a slip and fall lawyer at Ankin Law, our legal team will make sure all of your expenses are included in your injury claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more complicated for your slip and fall lawyer to quantify, since these losses do not represent a monetary expenditure. In slip and fall accident cases, non-economic damages often include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Future medical bills
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
In most cases, the multiplier method, the per diem method, or a hybrid of the two methods will be used to calculate the monetary value of your non-economic losses.
Slip and Fall Settlement Amounts in Chicago
The value of a slip and fall case depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term effects. While no lawyer can guarantee results, past cases reveal common settlement ranges:
- Minor Injuries (sprains, minor fractures): $15,000 – $50,000
- Moderate Injuries (surgery, significant recovery time): $50,000 – $200,000
- Severe Injuries (spinal cord, traumatic brain injury, permanent disability): $250,000 – Millions
- Strength of evidence and witness testimony
- Whether comparative negligence applies
- The defendant’s insurance policy limits
- Whether additional sources of recovery exist
- Long-term medical costs and disability
Our attorneys will fight to ensure you recover full and fair compensation under Illinois law.
Comparative Negligence and Slip and Fall Claims in Illinois
It’s common for property owners to try to redirect blame when injuries happen, especially if they suspect the victim’s behavior contributed to the accident. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for your accident in Illinois, as long as you were less than 51% at fault.
- If you slipped on a wet grocery store floor, but you were distracted by your phone when it happened, a jury might assign you 20% fault. If your total damages were $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.
- If you were more than 50% responsible, you would not be able to recover compensation at all.
Overcoming the "Open and Obvious" Defense in Premises Liability Cases
Property owners frequently invoke the “open and obvious” defense to avoid liability when visitors are injured on their premises. This legal strategy claims that hazards, such as large puddles, wet floors, or clearly marked obstacles, were so visible that any reasonable person should have noticed and avoided them. When successful, this defense can significantly reduce or eliminate the property owner’s responsibility for your slip and fall injury.
Our experienced premises liability attorneys know how to effectively challenge the “open and obvious” defense by proving that:
- Environmental distractions prevented proper attention – Store displays, advertisements, or other visual elements drew your focus away from the hazard
- The dangerous condition was unavoidable – The hazard blocked the only safe entrance, exit, or pathway, forcing you to encounter the danger
- Poor conditions obscured the risk – Inadequate lighting, shadows, glare, or crowded spaces made the hazard difficult or impossible to see
- The hazard appeared safe but wasn’t – What looked like a dry surface was actually slippery, or a seemingly stable structure was defective
Don’t let property owners escape responsibility simply because they claim the danger was “obvious.” By systematically dismantling the “open and obvious” defense, we protect your right to full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Do You Have a Slip and Fall Accident Claim in Chicago?
If you suffered injuries on someone else’s property, and you think that party’s negligence is to blame, our slip and fall attorneys will provide you with a complimentary case evaluation to determine whether you have a viable case.
We will identify the parties who may have been responsible for the unsafe conditions that caused you to get hurt, and we will evaluate whether you are entitled to receive compensation.
When determining liability and whether you have a legal claim against the responsible party, your slip and fall accident lawyer will consider:
Whether the Property Owner Owed You a Duty of Care
Were you lawfully present on the property when your accident occurred? If you were at a local supermarket, mall, hotel, restaurant, or other place of business during normal business hours, chances are the answer will be yes. Complications may arise in your fall case, however, if you entered the property illegally or were breaking the law when the accident occurred.
Whether the Property Owner Knew About the Unsafe Conditions
Property owners and managers in Illinois have a duty to ensure that their premises are safe for invited guests. To be held liable for injuries, it must be shown that the property owner knew about, or reasonably should have known about, the dangerous condition, and that the owner failed to take reasonable steps to warn you about the danger or make the hazard safe.
Whether Unsafe Conditions Caused Your Injuries
Did a dark stairway, a broken handrail, torn or defective flooring, or obstacles in the walkway cause you to fall? Was a slippery floor or a liquid spill the culprit? To win a slip and fall accident case against a property owner or an insurance company in Illinois, it is not enough to show that you were injured on someone else’s property. You must be able to demonstrate that dangerous conditions on the property contributed to the accident.
Whether You Suffered Actual Harm
Did your slip and fall accident cause injuries that required medical treatment? Did you suffer head injuries or a spinal cord injury when you fell? Were you permanently paralyzed? Did you incur broken bones or soft tissue injuries? You must have suffered injuries that resulted in medical expenses or lost wages for your personal injury claim to exist. Without a significant injury, there is nothing to recover from the insurance company.
Whether Multiple Parties May Have Contributed to Your Accident
Sometimes, a variety of contributing factors cause slip and fall accidents in Cook County. When multiple parties are negligent, they all may be able to be held liable for the injuries caused. You may be able to file an injury claim against a cleaning company, a product manufacturer, a maintenance company, or a negligent security firm to maximize your settlement. An experienced attorney can explain your legal options and help you determine who to sue after your slip and fall incident.
Evidence We Use to Win Slip and Fall Accident Cases
Building a successful slip and fall lawsuit depends on gathering compelling evidence that proves negligence and liability. The moments immediately following your accident are critical because evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies will look for any reason to deny your claim.
Critical Evidence You Must Collect Immediately
Document the dangerous condition from multiple angles immediately after your fall. Capture the exact spot where you fell, any contributing factors like poor lighting, and the surrounding area. This visual evidence is often the strongest proof of negligence.
Keep the exact shoes you were wearing in the same condition. Insurance companies routinely blame accidents on worn soles, inappropriate footwear, or claim your shoes caused the fall rather than the property owner’s negligence.
Collect names, phone numbers, and brief statements from anyone who witnessed your fall or saw the hazardous condition before your accident. Independent witnesses can provide powerful testimony that contradicts property owner claims.
Request copies of any accident reports filed by the property owner, business manager, or security personnel. These documents often contain admissions of the dangerous condition or previous knowledge of the hazard.
Seek immediate medical attention and maintain detailed records of all treatments, diagnoses, prescriptions, and medical bills. Gaps in medical care give insurance companies ammunition to minimize your injuries.
How Our Chicago Slip and Fall Attorneys Strengthen Your Case
Beyond client-gathered evidence, our experienced legal team employs advanced investigation techniques to build an ironclad case:
- Accident reconstruction experts who analyze the scene and demonstrate exactly how the dangerous condition caused your fall
- Surveillance footage subpoenas issued before security cameras are wiped or “malfunction”
- Property maintenance record requests that reveal whether the owner knew about ongoing hazards
- Expert witness testimony from safety professionals and medical specialists
Time is critical in slip and fall cases. Contact our premises liability lawyers immediately to ensure no vital evidence is lost or destroyed.
Chicago Laws and Building Codes That Impact Your Case
Local laws and ordinances often play a critical role in proving negligence in slip and fall accidents. For example:
- Snow and Ice Removal Ordinances: In Chicago, property owners must clear sidewalks of snow and ice within a “reasonable time” after a storm. Failure to do so can be evidence of negligence.
- Chicago Building Code: Requires handrails on stairways, safe flooring materials, and proper lighting. Violations can establish liability when a fall occurs.
- Premises Safety Standards: Landlords must maintain safe common areas in apartment buildings. Broken railings, defective flooring, or poor lighting can all create liability.
When property owners cut corners on safety and violate Chicago laws, our attorneys use those violations to strengthen your claim.
Your Slip and Fall Case Timeline: From Consultation to Recovery
Understanding the personal injury process helps you prepare for your slip and fall case journey. While your case timeline may be shorter or longer, most Illinois slip and fall lawsuits follow these predictable stages.
We review your accident details, assess liability, and explain your legal options with no upfront costs. Our Chicago slip and fall attorneys provide honest assessments of your case’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential value.
Our legal team immediately begins preserving evidence before it disappears. We gather surveillance footage, interview witnesses, photograph accident scenes, collect maintenance records, and coordinate with medical professionals to document your injuries.
While we handle the legal work, you focus on recovery. We coordinate with healthcare providers, ensure proper documentation of injuries, and track all medical expenses and lost wages for your claim.
Once we understand the full extent of your injuries, we present a detailed demand package to the insurance company. Our experienced negotiators push for fair settlements that cover all current and future damages.
If the insurance companies refuse reasonable settlement offers, we file your personal injury lawsuit in Cook County court before the statute of limitations expires. Filing shows insurers we’re serious about taking your case to trial.
Both sides share evidence, take depositions from witnesses, and build their cases. Our thorough preparation during this phase often leads to better settlement offers as trial approaches.
Many slip and fall cases resolve through mediation, where a neutral third party helps negotiate fair settlements. Our skilled attorneys use these opportunities to secure maximum compensation without trial risks.
When necessary, we take your case before a Cook County jury. Our trial experience and compelling case presentation often result in verdicts that exceed previous settlement offers.
Most slip and fall claims settle within 12 to 18 months, though several factors can affect your case timeline:
- Straightforward cases with clear liability: 6-12 months
- Complex premises liability cases: 18-24 months
- Cases requiring extensive medical treatment: Until maximum medical improvement is reached
- High-value claims or disputed liability: May require trial, extending to 2+ years
Remember: Illinois has a 2-year statute of limitations for slip and fall cases. Contact our slip and fall attorneys immediately to protect your right to compensation and ensure crucial evidence isn’t lost.
Top Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago
To obtain compensation for slip and fall accident injuries in a premises liability case, you must be able to show that unsafe conditions existed on the defendant’s property and that the dangerous condition caused you to be hurt. While determining the cause of your slip and fall accident may sound easy, identifying all the factors that contributed to your injury is not always straightforward.
Our experienced slip and fall lawyers see accidents caused by a wide range of hazards. Some of the most common include:
- Snow and Ice on Sidewalks and Walkways
- Wet Floors in Entryways
- Broken or Uneven Pavement
- Damaged or Loose Carpeting or Rugs
- Broken or Poorly Designed Stairways
- Missing or Broken Handrails or Guardrails
- Cluttered Walkways
- Poor Lighting Conditions
- Protruding Objects
At Ankin Law, our injury lawyers have seen slip and fall accident cases caused by:
- Cluttered construction areas where debris on sidewalks posed danger to passersby
- Poorly maintained apartment buildings, where damaged railings and poor lighting placed residents at risk
- Unmarked step-downs in the entryways of stores, restaurants, and other businesses
- Loose cords and protruding objects strung across walkways in office buildings
- Wet floors caused by misting systems in the produce section of various grocery stores and supermarkets
- Unsafe porches and balconies that were unable to hold visitors’ weight
- Damaged playground equipment
Where Did Your Slip and Fall Incident Happen?
From big name stores like Walmart, Target, or Costco to luxurious hotels, 5-star restaurants, private property, and even the airport, a slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. The location of your accident, however, and what you were doing when it happened, can play a significant role in your ability to recover compensation for your losses.
When slip and fall accidents happen at a friend’s house, the homeowner can be held liable if that person’s negligence was a factor in causing the accident. Our Illinois slip and fall attorneys can help you prove liability and file an insurance claim against the person’s homeowners insurance policy.
Recovering compensation for slip and fall accidents that happen at an apartment building or condo can be tricky because multiple parties may be able to be held liable. Defendants may include property owners, managers, maintenance companies, or tenants.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident that happened at a restaurant, shopping center, grocery store, or other place of business, the property owner, business owner, manager, cleaning company, or maintenance company may be able to be held liable.
In most cases, the exclusive remedy rule applies to slip and fall accidents that happen at work. If defective scaffolding, a poorly-made ladder, or other dangerous equipment contributed to your injuries, however, you may be able to file an injury claim against the third party who was responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents
How long do I have to file a slip and fall injury lawsuit in Chicago?
Victims who were injured in slip and fall accidents in Chicago have just two years to file an injury lawsuit in most cases. When accidents happen on state or local government property, however, you must take legal action within one year.
I slipped and fell at work. Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?
While Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law prevents employees from suing their employers for slip and fall accidents at work, other legal options may be available. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent third party who contributed to your fall.
Are property owners liable for injuries to trespassers?
In most slip and fall cases, property owners are not liable when trespassers are injured. If the property owner knew the trespasser was present and in danger, however, he or she may be liable if the owner failed to take steps to prevent injuries. Additionally, if the trespasser was a young child, special premises liability rules apply.
What Our Clients Say About Us
I had an INCREDIBLE experience with Ankin law. Howard Ankin himself assured me on day one his team would assist and support me through the aftermath of my accident. I worked specifically with Jeff Lust who was absolutely phenomenal! Good at his job, and patient with me. Jeff listened to my frustrations, supported wherever needed, and communicated clearly and timely! My case was handled with care and competence. I will forever be grateful and appreciative of Ankin Law.
Learn More About Slip and Fall Accident Claims in Chicago
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Howard answers the most common questions