Restaurant and bar owners in Chicago are required to maintain their premises for the safety of their visitors. When property owners act negligently in the maintenance of their premises, harmful accidents can occur.
Unfortunately, many personal injuries occur at restaurants and bars in Chicago because of property owners’ careless conduct. There are numerous potential causes of such injuries. A lawyer for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help victims recover compensation related to the harm they suffered.
If you were injured at a bar or restaurant in Chicago, get help recovering the monetary damages available to you. Contact our experienced Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Common Causes of Injuries at Bars and Restaurants in Chicago
There are numerous potential causes of injuries at bars or restaurants. Most of such injuries stem from injurious slip and fall accidents caused by property owners’ negligent maintenance of their premises. The following are common causes of injuries at bars and restaurants in Chicago:
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Many injuries at bars and restaurants are caused by uneven walking surfaces. There are multiple types of uneven walking surfaces that can lead to such accidents:
- Worn carpeting
- Loose floorboards
- Loose rugs and mats
Uneven walking surfaces such as loose rugs and mats should be tended to by restaurant and bar owners in a timely manner. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident caused by an uneven walking surface, our Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help recover financial compensation.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting is another cause of many injuries that occur at bars and restaurants in Chicago. When public hallways and staircases are poorly lit, severe slip and fall accidents can occur. For example, a customer may suffer a sever slip and fall accident when leaving a bar because the lighting fixture above a public staircase was broken. In that case, our Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help hold the negligent property owner accountable for the harm they caused.
Wet Floors
Wet floors are another cause of many injuries at bars and restaurants in Chicago. Restaurant and bar owners are required to promptly clean wet spots on their floors. Furthermore, proper signage should be placed in front of freshly mopped and slippery areas. If you were injured because of a wet walking surface, you should contact our Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant for help building your potential case.
Snow or Ice
Additionally, snow and ice are common causes of injuries at bars and restaurants. Owners are required to remove any snow or ice that may pose a danger to their visitors. Accordingly, bar and restaurant owners can be held responsible for injuries caused by snow or ice accumulation at their buildings’ entranceways and exits.
Broken or Absent Handrails
Broken or absent handrails are also a common cause of injuries at bars and restaurants in Chicago. Handrails provide support to those travelling up or down staircases or along other walkways. When such handrails are broken or missing, slip and fall accidents can occur. Senior citizens are especially prone to suffering significant harm because of broken or absent handrails.
Cluttered Floors
Lastly, many injuries at bars and restaurants in Chicago are caused by cluttered floors. For example, a customer may suffer a severe slip and fall accident because a bar owner failed to remove several boxes of supplies from their main floor. In such cases, our experienced Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help victims determine the appropriate steps towards compensation.
Time Limit to File a Lawsuit for an Injury at a Bar or Restaurant in Chicago
The time limit to file a lawsuit after an injury at a bar or restaurant in Chicago is set forth by the Illinois statute of limitations. Under 735 I.L.C.S. 5/13-202, injured parties will generally have two years from the date of their accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent bar or restaurant owner in Chicago. Noncompliance with this deadline could force injured parties to miss out on important compensation.
Despite having two years to file, you should begin working on your case as soon as possible after your accident. There are many requirements that must be met when bringing your claim to court. For instance, plaintiffs must file their cases in the right jurisdictions, attach supporting documents, pay any court fees, serve all named defendants, and avoid filing incomplete claims. Those who do not comply with any of these requirements may have to re-file their lawsuits. By attempting to file your case early, you can afford yourself time to re-file if required.
Also, there are certain exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations. For example, a parent may bring a claim on behalf of their injured child at any point until the child turns 18. Afterwards, under 735 I.L.C.S. 5/13-211, the new adult will have two years after turning 18 to file lawsuits related to injuries sustained while they were a minor. Our experienced Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help explain how the statute of limitations will apply to your case.
Settling Your Case vs. Taking Your Case to Trial After an Injury at a Bar or Restaurant in Chicago
After filing a lawsuit related to an injury sustained at a bar or restaurant, plaintiffs will typically face the difficult decision of either settling their case or taking their case to trial. After reaching a settlement agreement, a defendant will pay an agreed-upon sum to a plaintiff in exchange for their case being dismissed. By settling early, plaintiffs can receive compensation more quickly and may save on the expensive costs associated with going to trial.
Still, settling early is not always the correct choice. Insurance companies often wish to settle cases for as cheaply as possible. Therefore, not all settlement offers reflect the true value of plaintiffs’ claims. By going to trial, plaintiffs have the opportunity to recover additional compensation. However, plaintiffs who are unsuccessful at trial may receive nothing for the harm they incurred. Our experienced Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant can help decide if going to trial is the right decision for you.
If You Were Injured at a Bar or Restaurant in Chicago, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured at a bar or restaurant, seek assistance from our experienced Chicago lawyers for injuries at a bar or restaurant by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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