Naperville Slip and Fall Lawyers
Were you injured in a slip and fall accident in Naperville? You may be entitled to compensation. Filing a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner or manager can help you recover the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, our experienced Naperville slip and fall lawyers are here to help you hold property owners accountable for their negligence. Whether your accident occurred at a grocery store, apartment complex, parking lot, or in another location, we have the knowledge and resources to help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
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You Have Rights After a Slip and Fall. Trust Our Attorneys to Protect Them
Property owners in Illinois have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors who are lawfully on their property. Whether it’s a shopping center, a rental property, or a residential property, the duty of care remains. This duty of care means they must regularly inspect their premises, promptly address hazards, and provide adequate warnings for any unsafe conditions. If they fail to meet this obligation, and you suffer an injury as a result, you have the right to pursue a premises liability claim to recover compensation for your financial losses and the pain and suffering you’ve endured.
After a slip and fall accident, however, property owners and their insurance companies will often try to deny responsibility or offer unfair settlements to injury victims. Sometimes, they’ll go so far as to twist the facts or even perform other unethical acts to interfere with your right to receive full and fair compensation for your losses.
Our experienced premises liability attorneys understand Illinois property laws, how to prove negligence, and how to counter the insurance company’s unscrupulous tactics. We’re here to protect your rights.
We’ll Help You Prove Negligence in Your Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall cases often involve hazardous conditions like wet floors, broken stairs, uneven sidewalks, or poor lighting. Proving negligence in these situations can be complex, requiring evidence such as photographs, witness statements, or maintenance records. A successful claim requires demonstrating the following key elements:
- Duty of Care: The property owner had a legal obligation to ensure your safety.
- Breach of Duty: They failed to address or warn about dangerous conditions on their property.
- Causation: This failure directly caused your slip and fall accident.
- Damages: You suffered harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, because of the accident.
Don’t let negligent property owners leave you to foot the bill for your injuries. Contact the experienced Naperville slip and fall attorneys at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC for a free consultation. (312) 775-0042.
Client Testimonials
My wife was head on hit in her lane while driving home. She had multiple injuries and the car was totaled.
Although the at fault driver got 5 tickets for the violence driving, but the worst case was that driver does not have insurance.
Michael Knobloch helped us go through the difficult time. One year later, we got the settlement with my own car insurance company for the compensation, and my health insurance company for the huge medical bill. We are very happy with the results. Thanks a lot, Mike.
Everyone was outstanding, great communication and helpful in explaining how this process would work.
I highly recommend Tom and his team.
I was unceremoniously included in a physics lesson that the driver behind me was forced to learn because a cigarette had the opportunity to demonstrate the laws of gravity as well as angular momentum to the driver. After the accident I wanted legal advice but all of the heavily advertised law firms had that “Better Call Saul” / ambulance chaser feel. What I wanted was a Law Firm that I felt comfortable with and I could trust. So, I asked my Uncle for a recommendation. Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy was at the top of his list as well as his friends list. My Uncle and his friends and been using this Law Firm for decades for much more serious injuries than mine. Thomas Chute was my lawyer and he was excellent. That said, what I was most impressed with was the staff. Each was a joy to interact with, got my dark sense of humor and were thoroughly knowledgeable about what questions they could and could not answer with regard to legal inquires. The fact that every person, including Thomas, was a joy to work work with speaks volumes to the leadership at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer After a Fall?
Nothing out of pocket. Most personal injury lawyers experienced with slip and falls claims do not charge any upfront fees. That, along with offering a free consultation, helps lessen the financial burden of your slip and fall. In some cases, you may be offered your attorney’s services on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee basis means that your attorney will not get paid unless you win your case, and they will take a percentage of your compensation as payment. How much your attorney takes will vary by attorney. However, many states have caps that limit how much an attorney can claim of your compensation.
How Long Will My Slip and Fall Injury Claim Take?
Patience is key in a slip and fall injury claim, as your claim’s timeline can vary based on many factors. First, you need to gather any evidence that you have regarding your case, as well as evidence of your financial losses, such as medical bills and a record of wages you’ve lost due to your injury. Often times, your case’s timeline is affected by when you reach maximum medical improvement. MMI helps your attorney determine the extent of your damages. Another factor that influences your case timeline is the cooperation of the insurance company. A case involving a more cooperative insurance company results in a quicker case resolution. On the other hand, an insurance company that fights you every step of the way may cause your case to drag out for longer.
What Is My Claim Worth?
Your attorney cannot guarantee how much you’ll be awarded in your slip and fall case. The value of your claim depends on the financial losses you incurred, such as your medical bills and the wages you missed out on due to your injury. Non-tangible losses are also considered in determining your compensation. Non-tangible losses are things such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Naperville
Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, but certain hazards make them far more likely. Property owners who fail to address these dangers can be held legally responsible for the injuries that result. Some of the most common causes include:
- Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Uneven sidewalks or broken pavement
- Loose carpeting or floorboards
- Cluttered walkways or poorly maintained aisles
- Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking lots
- Snow and ice accumulation on outdoor surfaces
If you’ve been hurt because of these conditions, contacting an experienced Naperville slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible is critical to protecting your right to compensation.
Slip and Fall Case Mistakes That Could Cost You
When you have suffered serious injury in a slip and fall claim because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you deserve justice. Unfortunately, these claims can be tricky. There is a lot of room for error, especially if you have never gone through something like this before. The following are mistakes that could cost you your right to recover maximum compensation.
Waiting to Receive Medical Care
When you get hurt, you need to seek medical care right away. First and foremost, you do not want your injuries to get any worse. You also do not want the insurance company to have any reason to reduce the value of your claim. If they notice that you did not seek medical care right away, they might try to say you lied about how badly hurt you were. They may also claim that your injuries were from something else.
Ignoring Advice From Your Doctors
Insurance companies have tricks up their sleeves to get them out of paying you fairly for your losses. Sometimes they hire private investigators to follow plaintiffs, attempting to catch them doing something that defies the advice and restrictions given to them by their doctor. If you were told by your doctor to avoid certain activities, listen to them. If the doctor tells you to go to follow up visits, you need to prioritize doing that. The insurance company would love nothing more than the excuse to say you are lying about how badly hurt you are so they can reduce the compensation that they offer you.
Talking to the Insurance Company
The insurance company may have representatives reach out to you shortly after the accident to try to get you to agree to give them a recorded statement about this incident. They will make it seem like you are allowing them to help you get this all resolved sooner. You should not fall for this act. The insurance companies are not your friends. At the end of the day, they are a business that aims to make a profit. Your slip and fall claim is an expense to them that they are tasked with trying to reduce.
These insurance companies do a superb job at positioning themselves as your pals when you get hurt. They have great commercials and advertisements that are designed to convince you that they are in your corner. Do not fall for it. If they call you to get a recorded statement, you have the right to hang up the phone. You do not have to talk to them. Let your lawyers talk to them, so your rights are protected.
Not Calling a Lawyer Right Away
Don’t wait to talk to a lawyer. Time is limited to file your claim. The sooner you reach out to a lawyer, the better. Under Illinois law, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. If you try to bring your claim after this date, it will almost surely be dismissed.
The statute of limitations isn’t the only reason you should get a lawyer on your side early on. Evidence may disappear, and your witnesses could become untraceable, or they may forget key details that could have helped us. To protect your rights and preserve evidence in your case, set up your free consultation with an attorney today.
Bringing On the Wrong Lawyer to Handle Your Claim
Choosing the right attorney to represent you in your Naperville slip and fall case is one of the most important decisions you can make. This is your one chance to pursue full justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Don’t risk it by hiring someone unqualified or unfamiliar with DuPage County courts. A lawyer who lacks experience with premises liability cases may miss critical evidence, underestimate the value of your damages, or allow the insurance company to pressure you into a low settlement.
The right lawyer will be as invested in the success of your case as you are. They should make this process easy for you.
Take the time to research, ask questions, and select an attorney who has a proven record of success in Naperville slip and fall cases.
FAQs About Slip and Fall Claims in Naperville
Do I Really Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall?
Yes. A slip and fall lawyer can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation. Property owners and insurers often argue that victims are at fault or that their injuries aren’t serious. An attorney knows how to gather evidence, prove negligence, and negotiate with the insurance company. Without representation, you risk leaving significant money on the table.
How Do I Sue for a Slip and Fall in Illinois?
To sue for a slip and fall in Illinois, your attorney will first file a personal injury lawsuit in the appropriate county court, usually within two years of your accident. They will gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and surveillance footage to prove negligence. Most cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, but some go to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly. Having a slip and fall accident lawyer ensures the process is handled properly from start to finish.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?
The steps you take right after a fall can make or break your claim. First, seek medical treatment and make sure your injuries are documented. Second, report the accident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report. Third, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any hazards that caused your fall. Finally, contact a Naperville slip and fall attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Naperville?
Under Illinois law, most slip and fall injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you’ll almost certainly lose your right to pursue compensation. Because evidence can disappear quickly, it’s best to contact a lawyer for slip and fall accidents as soon as possible. Your attorney can make sure all filings are timely, and your case is preserved.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, but it may reduce the amount you receive. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. For example, if you were found 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. A skilled slip and fall attorney can fight to minimize the blame placed on you and maximize your recovery.
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Call Our Naperville Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
If you have suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to have strong representation. Let our Naperville slip and fall lawyers fight tirelessly for your justice. Contact Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC today to set up a free initial consultation.