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Premises Liability

Chicago Premises Liability Attorney

Seeking Justice for Premises Liability Victims in Chicago

Property owners owe a certain duty of care to those who are on their property. While this definitely extends to commercial property owners, it also applies to private property owners. Owners are obliged to let others know if there is a potential danger or risk on the property, to fix or maintain the potentially dangerous risk, and/or to reasonably prevent those risks from occurring.

In many cases, a thorough investigation is required in order to prove that the unsafe environment was directly related to your injuries and that the property owner is responsible for them. At Leonard Law Group, our experienced Chicago premises liability lawyers are backed by significant resources and the reputation of a firm that is committed to excellence. Since 1996, our skilled team has obtained more than $1,000,000,000 on behalf of our clients.

If you were injured because of unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, we can help you take the next step. Call (312) 487-2513 today for a free second-opinion evaluation with a Chicago premises liability attorney.

Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Chicago

When a property owner, manager, or another responsible party fails to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe, injured victims may have grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.

Premises liability claims can result from the following:

  • Slip and falls
  • Negligent security
  • Hazardous activity on a construction site
  • Improper maintenance
  • Improper supervision
  • Improper repairs
  • Failure to post adequate warnings

Potential defendants may include landowners, hospitals, businesses, cities, municipalities, department stores, grocery stores, bars, nightclubs, security companies, and public agencies.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Unsafe Chicago Properties

Injuries commonly sustained in unsafe Chicago properties can range from relatively moderate harm to life-changing physical trauma. Depending on how the accident happened, victims may suffer injuries that require emergency treatment, surgery, long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and ongoing medical support that affects nearly every part of daily life.

Common injuries in unsafe property cases include:

  • Serious bruising and internal injuries
  • Lacerations that lead to permanent scarring
  • Broken bones
  • Crushed limbs
  • Brain injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Spine injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Drownings

When evaluating your claim, we consider your immediate injuries and their long-term impact on your daily life. By working closely with your doctors and other professionals, our premises liability lawyer in Chicago can pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses.

How Our Chicago Premises Liability Lawyers Can Help

Our Chicago premises liability lawyers help investigate the accident, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for your injuries. We also handle communication with insurance companies and explain your legal options at each stage of the case.

Our attorneys can help by:

  • Investigating the accident: We review how the incident occurred, preserve important evidence, obtain incident reports, and collect medical records, photos, witness statements, inspection records, and available surveillance footage.
  • Determining liability: We evaluate whether the property was reasonably maintained and work with investigators or safety professionals when additional analysis is needed.
  • Managing your claim: We handle communications with insurance companies and opposing parties while protecting your rights throughout the process.
  • Providing clear legal guidance: We explain your options under Illinois premises liability law, keep you informed, and help you evaluate settlement offers or litigation when necessary.

Whether your injury occurred along Michigan Avenue, in an apartment complex, in a parking garage, restaurant, or other property anywhere in Chicago, our team can handle even the most complex premises liability claims and guide you through every step of the process.

Compensation Available in Illinois Premises Liability Cases

Compensation in Illinois premises liability cases may include payment for both financial losses and the personal impact of the injury. The amount depends on the severity of the injury, the cost of treatment, time missed from work, and how the accident affects daily life.

Damages may include:

  • Medical bills
  • Follow-up care
  • Lost wages
  • Future lost earning capacity
  • Retraining for different work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

By documenting both the financial losses and the effect of the injury on your daily life, we work to pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your damages.

Do I Have a Case if I Was Partly at Fault for My Injury?

Illinois uses a comparative fault system, which means any compensation you receive can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, as long as you are not more than half at fault. 

For example, if a jury found you were 20 percent responsible for not noticing a hazard, your damages could be reduced by that same percentage. We can help you understand how these rules might apply to your circumstances and whether it still makes sense to move forward.

Illinois' Premises Liability Claim Statute of Limitations

Under Illinois law, a premises liability lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the accident. If the lawsuit is not filed within that time, you may lose the right to seek compensation.

Some cases may involve shorter notice deadlines, especially when a government entity is involved, such as the City of Chicago or a public transit authority. Contacting a premises liability attorney in Chicago early can help preserve evidence, track all deadlines, and protect your right to bring a claim.

What You Must Prove in an Illinois Premises Liability Claim

There are key elements that must be proven in a premises liability claim.

A premises liability claim generally requires proof of the following:

  • A dangerous condition existed
  • The property owner or responsible party knew or should have known about it
  • They failed to repair it, correct it, or warn about it
  • You were lawfully on the property or otherwise owed a duty of care
  • The dangerous condition caused your injury
  • You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering

Liability in Premises Liability Cases

Liability in a Chicago premises liability case may depend on who owned, controlled, maintained, or was responsible for the property at the time of the accident. In some cases, more than one party may be legally responsible for the unsafe condition.

Potentially liable parties may include:

  • Property owners
  • Landlords
  • Property management companies
  • Business owners
  • Tenants
  • Maintenance companies
  • Security companies
  • Cleaning contractors
  • Construction contractors
  • Government entities

The liable party is often the person or company that knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it, warn about it, or take reasonable steps to prevent injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do Right After a Premises Liability Accident?

Seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if your pain seems minor. If you are able, report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask that an incident report be created. It is also helpful to take photographs of the area, your injuries, and anything that may change quickly, such as spilled liquid or snow and ice. Getting contact information for any witnesses and keeping copies of medical records, bills, and correspondence will make it easier to evaluate a claim later.

How Long Does a Premises Liability Case Usually Take?

The length of a premises liability case can vary widely depending on how serious the injuries are and whether the property owner or insurer disputes what happened. Some claims resolve in a matter of months through settlement once medical treatment has stabilized and the full extent of the injuries is understood. Others may take longer if additional investigation is needed or if a lawsuit is filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County and the case proceeds through litigation. 

Can I Sue a Business if I Was Hurt in a Store or Restaurant in Chicago?

Yes, you may be able to bring a premises liability claim if you were injured in a store, restaurant, apartment building, parking garage, or another commercial property in Chicago. Businesses and property owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe for customers and visitors.

What if the Property Owner Says They Did Not Know About the Hazard?

A property owner may still be liable if the evidence shows they should have known about the dangerous condition through reasonable inspections or maintenance. In many cases, the issue is whether the hazard existed long enough that it should have been discovered and corrected before the injury happened.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if There Was No Incident Report?

Yes, you may still have a claim even if no incident report was created. Other evidence such as photographs, video footage, witness statements, medical records, and proof of the unsafe condition may still help support your case.

Chicago premises liability cases often depend on proving how the unsafe condition caused the injury and who was responsible for it. Contact us to discuss your case and learn what compensation may be available.

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