The Midwest can get down to single-digit temperatures in the winter. If you are like many Illinois residents, dealing with snow and ice is a major part of your life in the winter months. Not only is snow and ice a hassle to deal with, but it can also lead to serious or even life-threatening injuries. If you slipped on ice and fell or otherwise suffered an injury because of snow or ice, you may be interested in learning about your legal options. In Illinois, a piece of legislation called the Snow and Ice Removal Act describes the rights and responsibilities individuals have regarding snow and ice removal.

Do Homeowners Have to Remove Snow and Ice?

Most people agree that shoveling snow from sidewalks, walkways, steps, and porches is part of being a good neighbor. However, homeowners are not required to remove snow from sidewalks by state law. The Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act was passed in 1979 to address snow and ice removal and injuries caused by snow and ice on private property. According to this legislation, homeowners are not typically liable for injuries caused by snowy or icy conditions on their property. However, a homeowner may be legally responsible for snow or ice injuries in certain circumstances.  

A personal injury claim is a legal action that allows an injured person to pursue financial compensation for the damages, or losses, caused by an injury. Often these injuries are the result of work accidents, car accidents, or other incidents caused by another party’s negligence. Amputations are considered “catastrophic injuries,” meaning that they have a profound impact on the injured person’s life. If you or a loved one suffered limb loss in an accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses and other damages as a result of the injury.

Pursuing Compensation After a Traumatic Amputation

Few injuries compare to amputations. The loss of a hand, arm, leg, or foot can lead to long-term medical complications, severe pain, and permanent disability. Consequently, the compensation awarded to an amputation victim in a personal injury claim is often considerable. Traumatic amputations are often the result of:

Injury to the delicate nerves of the spinal cord can result in life-changing consequences. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident and you suffered monoplegia, hemiplegia, paraplegia, or quadriplegia, you may consider bringing legal action against the at-fault party. A personal injury claim may allow you to receive compensation for the costs, or damages, associated with your paralysis injury. You may also be entitled to financial compensation for the non-economic and intangible losses resulting from your injury.

Paralysis Injuries Suffered in an Accident or Act of Violence

When the spine is damaged, nerve signals may no longer be able to travel throughout the body. Paralysis can involve the partial or total loss of motor function in one or more regions of the body. Sometimes paralysis is temporary and other times it is permanent. Paralysis may be caused by car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, workplace accidents, construction accidents, intentional physical attacks, and more. Paralysis can lead to:

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falling is the third leading cause of accidental injury-related death overall and the top cause of injury-related death for those over 65. Falling can result in severe injuries including fractures, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back and spine injuries, and more. If you or a loved one recently suffered a fall, you may have questions about who is liable for the incident. You may be interested in exploring your legal options and pursuing compensation for the damages or costs incurred by the fall accident. Read on to learn about slip and fall injury claims in Illinois and what you can do to get started on a claim today.

Elements of a Personal Injury Claim Based on Negligence

Liability for a slip and fall or trip and fall often hinges on negligence. To establish that the defendant was negligent and win your injury claim, you and your attorney will need to demonstrate four main elements:

Dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend” but they are also animals that may sometimes become aggressive. Dog bites can cause lacerations, deep contusions, nerve damage, and broken bones. The injuries sustained in a dog attack can leave long-lasting physical and mental scars. If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog, you may be wondering if the dog’s owner is liable for your medical expenses.

Liability for Injuries from a Dog Attack
The laws governing dog attacks vary dramatically from state to state. In Illinois, an owner is responsible for injuries caused by his or her dog if: