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Slip & Fall Lawyers in Chicago

Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

Slip, trip, and fall accidents can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they result in an injury. In addition to dealing with your medical expenses, you may also be facing lost wages from time off work and, in more serious cases, a permanent disability. At McHargue & Jones, LLC, we always take slip, trip, and fall cases seriously. Our slip and fall attorneys in Chicago have nearly 20 years of experience handling both premises liability and workers' compensation cases, and we are ready to help you seek the compensation you need.

Schedule a free consultation with a Chicago slip and fall lawyer by calling (312) 739-0000.
Work with a team that fights for your rights and your future.

Hold Property Owners & Employers Responsible for Their Negligence

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents, and they are some of the most common workplace accidents. From sprained ankles to back injuries, thousands of people miss work as a result of slip and fall accidents every year.

slip and fall signIn addition to compensation for missed work, a work accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Disability-related expenses
  • Pain and suffering

In addition to the responsibility of property owners and landlords to keep their premises safe for visitors, employers also have a responsibility to maintain a safe working environment for their employees. If you were injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident at work, you might have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Common Causes of On-the-Job Slip and Fall Accidents

Slipping or tripping at work is extremely common, and it often results in serious injuries that amount to much more than a minor scrape or bruise. Many employees who slip/trip and fall at work are saddled with major medical expenses, extensive hospital stays, and mandatory leave from work. Among the most common causes of these injuries are:

  • uneven flooring;
  • torn or frayed carpeting;
  • loose floorboards or mats;
  • poorly constructed or lit stairwells;
  • cluttered or obstructed pathways; and
  • recently waxed or mopped floors, sans warning signs.

*Please note that this is only a fraction of the many causes of slip and fall accidents at the workplace. If were injured by another cause, you may still be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. The best way to know for sure is by contacting a workers' compensation lawyer at our office to review the details of your workers' compensation case.

Do I Have a Slip and Fall Case? And Other Common FAQs.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident while on the job, liability for the accident will rest with your employer. As such, you’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim to account for your injury. Before doing so, however, ask yourself the following questions and then meet with a work injury attorney about your rights in this situation.
  • Where did the fall occur?
  • What caused you to fall while at work?
  • Was the cause unreasonably dangerous?
  • Were you distracted or otherwise not paying attention when you fell?

How long ago did the fall occur? Did you report it immediately or did you wait?

How do I know if I have a slip and fall case?
If you are unsure as to whether or not you have a valid slip and fall claim, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Was my slip/trip and fall caused by conditions created by my employer?
  • Did my employer know about the unsafe conditions that caused my accident?
  • Did my employer warn me of the unsafe conditions or otherwise try to prevent the accident from occurring?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have a workers’ compensation claim on your hands. Connect with an attorney from our firm to confirm that your circumstances warrant legal action.

Who is liable for my slip and fall accident at work?

If you were injured on the job and the injury was sustained due to unsafe and/or unmarked conditions at your place of work, your employer can be held liable for the accident. The state of Illinois requires all employers to provide workers’ comp insurance to their employees; those who do not will be fined $500 per day for noncompliance. If your employer has denied you workers’ compensation coverage or has otherwise refused your right to workers’ comp benefits, speak to an attorney immediately.

How much is my case worth?

Many workers’ compensation claims fall under the PPD category, or Permanent Partial Disability. In these cases, the workers’ comp settlement should be made after the patient has received medical care. Generally speaking, PPD claims cover those who experienced injury but were not permanently disabled and did not experience major wage losses as a result of their slip and fall accident. How much your case is worth depends on a number of factors, including: what part of your body was injured, the severity of your injury (the percentage of loss of use), and your average weekly wage. These factors are used to calculate the total workers’ compensation amount you are entitled to.

What are my rights? Will I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim?

Illinois is an at-will state, which means any employee can be fired or let go at any time, without reason. Technically speaking, this means you could be fired while out on workers’ comp leave. However, you cannot be fired for an illegal reason, including retaliation. This means that your employer cannot fire you simply for the act of filing a workers’ compensation claim and going on leave to recover from your slip and fall injury.

Slip and Falls On Snow or Ice in Chicago

The cold, often freezing, weather that is known in the city of Chicago can cause walking surfaces to be extremely slippery for pedestrians. This type of weather can become hazardous both inside and outside of buildings.

These conditions can be difficult for property owners because a patch of ice can be hiding under a layer of snow that they just cleared. Another challenge would be when the temperature starts to rise during the day and snow turns into puddles of water. When the temperature drops again at night, that same area can refreeze into a patch of ice.

This situation makes it extremely dangerous for pedestrians who could suffer from a slip and fall. You could suffer serious injuries to the ankle, wrist, hip, head, or another vulnerable body part. If you or a loved one was injured from a slip and fall on a snowy or icy area, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages suffered.

But who is liable? In Illinois, the Natural Accumulation Rule provides certain protections to property owners as they have no duty to remove natural accumulations of snow, water, or ice from their property. There are some exceptions, however.

You may be eligible to file a premises liability claim against the property owner under certain cases, such as:

  • Willful misconduct of their property.

  • Negligent removal of snow or ice

  • Negligent design or lack of maintenance that led to unnatural snow or ice accumulation

Your slip and fall injury attorney in Chicago can work with you to determine the best course to pursue if you have suffered from a slip and fall on ice or snow.

Committed to Providing the Highest-Quality Representation

Many circumstances can result in a slip, trip, and fall accident, including obstructions in walkways, uncleared water, snow, or ice on sidewalks, improper or inadequate lighting, as well as other defects. At McHargue & Jones, LLC, our Chicago work slip and fall lawyers can help you determine your best course of action. After thoroughly investigating your case, we can provide you with the guidance you need to feel confident when making important legal decisions.

We are proud to offer clients free consultations, and we work on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid unless and until we win your case.

Our slip & fall injury lawyers in Chicago have helped thousands of clients recover compensation. To get help with your case, contact us at (312) 739-0000.

Why Hire Us

  • Millions of Dollars Recovered for Injured Victims
  • Nearly Two Decades of Experience
  • No Fees Unless We Win
  • Free Consultation, Available 24/7
  • Se Habla Español

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