Unsafe property conditions can cause serious injuries in everyday places, including stores, apartment buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots. If a property hazard injured you in Oak Park, call an Oak Park personal injury lawyer from Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or message the firm online to schedule a free consultation.
Why Clients Trust Us After a Property Injury
- We give clients honest case evaluations, clear expectations, and direct attorney involvement throughout the claim.
- Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC has represented injured people for decades and understands how serious accidents affect families.
- Clients pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Is Critical in Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability claims can be difficult because the property owner often controls vital evidence. Businesses may have surveillance footage, cleaning schedules, employee reports, and inspection records that an injured person cannot access without legal help.
A premises liability lawyer can also investigate the hazard, determine who controlled the property, request records, question witnesses, and handle insurance communication. They will handle all legal aspects, alleviating your stress and allowing you to focus on recovering.
Premises Liability Claims in Oak Park
A property owner or business may be responsible when it fails to fix a dangerous condition, warn visitors about a hazard, or inspect the property in a reasonable way. These cases often depend on what the owner knew, how long the hazard existed, and whether reasonable steps could have prevented the injury.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Claims
Common premises liability claims include:
- Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors, ice, snow, spills, or loose mats.
- Trip and fall accidents caused by broken stairs, uneven pavement, cracked flooring, or poor lighting.
- Falls in parking lots, sidewalks, stairwells, stores, apartment buildings, or entryways.
- Injuries caused by falling merchandise, unsafe railings, exposed wiring, or broken fixtures.
- Negligent security claims involving assaults in areas with poor lighting or inadequate safety measures.
- Swimming pool, elevator, escalator, or recreational property injuries.
Property owners and insurance companies often argue that the danger was obvious, that the victim was not paying attention, or that the owner did not know about the condition. Evidence can make a major difference in these disputes.
Illinois Premises Liability Laws
Illinois Premises Liability Act
Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, 740 ILCS 130/2, property owners owe lawful entrants “reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” This means a property owner must act reasonably to keep the premises safe.
Statute of Limitations
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most Illinois premises liability lawsuits must be filed“within 2 years next after the cause of action accrued.” Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation.
Comparative Negligence
Illinois follows modified comparative negligence under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, which means you can recover compensation if you are“not more than 50%” at fault, but it is reduced by your percentage of the blame.
Take Action After an Oak Park Property Injury
Start with a free consultation by calling (312) 701-0090 or sending a message to Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC through our website.