Accidents in which a person loses their footing and falls down may seem like minor incidents, but they can lead to a variety of serious injuries, including broken bones, dislocated joints, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries. When slip, trip, and fall accidents take place on someone else’s property, a victim may be able to pursue compensation through a premises liability claim or lawsuit. By understanding the reasons why these accidents may occur and working with an experienced attorney, victims can ensure they are taking the correct steps to protect their rights.

Slip and Fall Injuries Caused by Property Owner Negligence

Property owners are required to take the proper measures to protect the safety of visitors. A tenant such as the owner of a retail store will also be responsible for addressing hazards and ensuring that customers can avoid injuries. Some common issues that can lead to fall injuries include:

If you have been the victim of a violent crime such as an assault, sexual assault, battery, or robbery, you may be interested in pursuing legal action against the responsible parties. Many people assume that legal action against the person who attacked them is the only recourse available after an assault. However, you may also be able to pursue legal action against the business or facility in which you were hurt. A premises liability claim is a personal injury claim brought against negligent property owners or property managers. Through a premises liability claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Examples of Negligent Security That Could Lead to an Injury Claim

Property owners cannot prevent every injury-causing incident that occurs on the property. However, they do have a legal responsibility to ensure that the property is reasonably safe for those invited onto the property. Just as a property owner has a duty to ensure that a building is up to code or has enough fire alarms, property owners have a duty to ensure that there are appropriate security measures. Property owners and businesses may be liable for injuries and deaths caused by inadequate security or “negligent security.”

Some examples of negligent security include:

Car accidents happen every day. In a typical Illinois car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is usually responsible for compensating accident victims. However, what happens if one of the cars in an accident is owned by the government? How are car accident cases different when the at-fault driver is a government employee such as a police officer, ambulance driver, or delivery driver? Can you sue if you were struck by a mail truck or other government vehicle?  

Government Liability for Car Crashes

When an employee causes an accident by driving negligently, the driver’s employer is typically the party legally responsible for the accident. When an employee works for the government, a government entity may be liable for damages. Unfortunately, car accident cases involving government liability are significantly more complicated than other types of car accident cases. The laws regulating claims against the government are complex and you only have a short window of time to file a claim. Therefore, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after being involved in an accident with a government vehicle.

Difference Between a Typical Claim and a Claim Against a Government Agency

In most personal injury cases, the injured person has two years to file a lawsuit per the Illinois personal injury statute of limitations. Claims filed after two years will likely be dismissed. The statute of limitations is even shorter when a claim is brought against the government. Furthermore, a claim against the government will be brought under the Illinois Court of Claims Act, and your case will go through the Court of Claims, not the circuit court.

Losing a hand, foot, arm, or leg impacts nearly every aspect of a person’s life. If you or a loved one suffered an amputation or limb loss, you know this firsthand. When another party’s irresponsible or unlawful actions result in dismemberment or amputation, that party may be liable for damages through a personal injury claim. The injured person may be entitled to compensation for both the financial impact of the limb loss and the non-financial consequences of the injury.

Understanding Negligence in an Amputation Injury Claim

Most personal injury cases are based on an allegation of negligence. In the legal sense, negligence is defined as a party’s failure to uphold a duty. For example, amputations may be a result of:

Being the victim of an assault, battery, mugging, rape, or other act of physical violence is one of the most life-changing experiences a person can have. A victim may suffer from debilitating physical and emotional pain as a result of the experience. They may also be forced to contend with significant financial losses from missed work and medical bills. If you or a loved one were assaulted or otherwise harmed by another party’s intentional actions, it is important to explore all of your legal options. You may be able to file a personal injury claim for monetary damages in addition to any criminal charges the perpetrator faces.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against the Perpetrator

Criminal charges against an individual who intentionally injured someone else may punish the perpetrator for his or her actions, but the charges do not compensate the victim in any way. Consequently, many people who are harmed in a violent act wonder if they can sue the person who hurt them. It is possible to file a civil claim against someone who hurt you in an attack, however, this is not always the most practical option. If the perpetrator does not have significant assets, suing him or her is unlikely to result in adequate compensation. Even if you win the case, you may not receive the money you have been awarded.