Slip and falls can cause serious injuries. Some victims may only suffer minor injuries because of a slip and fall. However, many victims of slip and fall accidents incur painful and debilitating injuries.
Those who suffer slip and fall injuries because of other parties’ negligent actions may recover financial compensation. There are several categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in slip and fall injury lawsuits. However, the process for pursuing these damages can be complicated.
If you were injured because of a slip and fall in Joliet, get help recovering the compensation available to you. Contact our experienced Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries in Joliet
Property owners and managers are required to maintain their premises for the safety of their visitors. Accordingly, property owners may be held liable for slip and fall injuries caused by their negligent behavior. There are several forms of negligent behavior that can cause slip and fall injuries. The following are common causes of slip and fall injuries in Joliet:
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting regularly leads to slip and fall accidents. When hallways and staircases in public walkways are poorly lit, serious slip and fall injuries can occur. Property managers should install proper lighting fixtures and replace any light bulbs that have burnt out. Our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can help gather evidence to prove that an accident was caused by poor lighting.
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Uneven walking surfaces are another common cause of slip and fall injuries in Joliet. Common types of uneven walking surfaces that lead to slip and fall injuries include loose mats, loose floorboards, and worn carpeting. Accidents caused by uneven walking surfaces frequently occur in restaurants, bars, or other places with heavy foot traffic.
Wet Walking Surfaces
Furthermore, wet walking surfaces are also a common cause of slip and fall injuries in Joliet. Property managers should tend to wet spots on public walkways in a timely manner. Furthermore, warning signs should be placed in front of freshly mopped and slippery floors. Our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can help recover compensation after accidents caused by wet walking surfaces.
Poorly Constructed Staircases
Poorly constructed staircases lead to many slip and fall injuries. Staircases that are too narrow or steep are difficult to navigate. Furthermore, such staircases may have been constructed in violation of building codes. Our experienced Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can determine if your accident was caused by a poorly constructed staircase.
Snow and Ice Accumulation
Furthermore, snow and ice accumulation lead to numerous slip and fall injuries in Joliet. Property owners may be held liable for injuries caused by their failure to clear sidewalks and other public walkways of snow and ice. For example, you may sue your apartment owner if you suffered a slip and fall injury because of ice accumulation at the entrance to your building.
Broken or Absent Handrails
Broken or absent handrails are another common cause of slip and fall injuries in Joliet. Handrails provide support to people walking up and down staircases or other walkways. When handrails are damaged or absent, severe slip and fall injuries can occur. Our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can help pursue compensation after accidents caused by broken or absent handrails.
Loose Cords and Electrical Wires
Additionally, loose cords and electrical wires frequently cause slip and fall injuries in Joliet. Such accidents are common in office buildings where there are numerous computers, printers, and other electronics plugged into various wall outlets. Property owners and managers may also be held liable for injuries caused by loose cords and electrical wires.
Cluttered Floors
Lastly, cluttered floors are also a common cause of slip and fall injuries in Joliet. For example, a store owner may leave cargo boxes littered across their main floor while unloading various cargo. In that case, a customer may suffer a slip and fall injury because of the store owner’s cluttered floor. Victims can contact our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers for help building their case after suffering a slip and fall accident because of a cluttered floor.
Common Types of Evidence Used to Prove Fault in Joliet Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuits
Plaintiffs in slip and fall injury lawsuits must prove that their injuries were caused by defendants’ negligent behavior. There are countless forms of evidence that can be used to prove fault for a slip and fall. The following are types of evidence regularly used by our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers:
Witness Statements
Statements from witnesses can be extremely valuable when proving fault for a slip and fall. An eyewitness may be able to describe the events that led to an accident. Accordingly, victims should always attempt to gather contact information for any witnesses to their accident.
Accident Reports
In some cases, accident reports are drafted that help point to the root cause of slip and fall injuries. For example, supermarket employees may be required to fill out an accident report after a slip and fall accident caused by a wet spot in a grocery aisle. Our Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can help recover any accident reports that may have been drafted in your case.
Security Camera Footage
Furthermore, security camera footage can also be highly beneficial when proving fault for a slip and fall injury. For example, such footage can be used to show that a particular fall was caused by a loose rug or uneven floorboard. However, recovering security footage is not always easy. Our experienced Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers can help recover useful security camera footage in your case.
If You Suffered a Slip and Fall Injury in Joliet, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a slip and fall accident, seek assistance from our experienced Joliet slip and fall injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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