Were you involved in an accident caused by a broken handrail in Chicago, Illinois? Property owners have a legal duty to keep their stairways and walkways safe, and that includes making sure handrails are properly maintained. If a defective handrail contributed to your injury, you may be entitled to file a premises liability claim for compensation.
Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC has over 100 years of combined experience helping accident victims just like you. Our premises liability lawyers in Chicago know how this area of the law works as well as anyone and will fight to maximize the value of your claim from the moment you decide to hire us.
Call us today at (224) 481-1926 for a free consultation. We can review the facts of your case and help you figure out the best way to move forward at that time.
Why Hire Mark L. Karno & Associates for My Broken Handrail Case in Chicago, IL?
Mark L. Karno & Associates is one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the City of Chicago, with tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients to date. When you hire our premises liability attorneys, we can:
- Investigate the condition of the handrail and document the defect with photos and expert analysis
- Research the property’s maintenance history and any prior complaints about the handrail
- Establish that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard
- Calculate all of your economic and non-economic damages
- Handle all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf
- Take your case to court if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Reach out to our law offices today for more information. We’ll be able to answer all of your questions during your free case review.
What Makes a Property Owner Liable for a Broken Handrail?
A property owner can be held liable for a handrail-related injury if they knew or should have known about the defective condition and failed to take adequate steps to address it. Some of the handrail defects that commonly lead to fall injuries include:
- Loose handrails that give way when grabbed
- Handrails that have detached from the wall or railing posts
- Missing handrails on stairways that are required by code to have them
- Corroded metal rails that break under normal use
- Handrails installed at the wrong height or in the wrong location
These problems don’t develop overnight. In most cases, the property owner had plenty of time to identify the issue and fix it. Forms of evidence like maintenance records, building inspection reports, and testimony from other tenants or visitors can all help prove that the owner was aware of the problem.
Where Do Broken Handrail Accidents Happen in Chicago?
These injuries can occur in just about any type of building or property. Some of the locations that are the most likely include the following:
- Apartment buildings and condominiums
- Office buildings
- Retail stores and shopping centers
- Restaurants and bars
- Hotels
- Public transit stations
- Parking garages
- Government buildings
If the property where you fell is owned by a government entity, different rules apply. You’ll generally have just one year to file a notice of claim, which is a much shorter window than the standard two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in Illinois.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Broken Handrails Attorney
A broken handrail can cause a fall that leaves you with serious injuries and mounting financial expenses. Mark L. Karno & Associates can help you file a claim for as much compensation as possible if this has happened to you in Chicago, IL. Call us at (224) 481-1926 or contact us online today to get started with a free consultation.