Who Pays for Losses if You Slip and Fall on Someone’s Property?

 Posted on May 07, 2025 in Premises Liability

In Illinois, slip-and-fall accidents that occur because of someone else’s negligence can become personal injury claims, requiring the responsible party to pay for the related damages. However, not every slip-and-fall incident is a valid civil claim, even if it results in an injury. If you fell and were injured on someone else’s property, a Cook County, IL personal injury attorney will assess your case for liability and recoverable damages.

What Counts as a Slip-and-Fall Accident in Illinois?

The phrase "slip and fall" can be misleading. What constitutes a personal injury from a slip-and-fall accident under Illinois law can include many different scenarios, including tripping over an object or falling down stairs that did not have a handrail. What makes the accident a personal injury claim is that it occurred on another person or party’s property and happened because they failed to maintain safe conditions for lawful visitors.

Who Could Be Liable for Damages in a Slip-and-Fall Case in Illinois?

According to Illinois’s Premises Liability Act, all property owners have a duty to take reasonable care of their property and ensure the safety of anyone on it. If you slip on a wet floor at a grocery store and break your wrist, the business owner or manager could be liable for damages under certain circumstances. If you were walking down the stairs at your neighbor's house and slipped on an unmarked broken step, you could file a claim for damages if you suffered an injury.

How Do You Prove Liability in an Illinois Slip-and-Fall Accident Case?

For a premises liability case, you have to be able to prove the following to collect damages:

• The property owner or manager owed you a duty to maintain the premises and address any dangerous conditions that could cause you harm.

• A hazardous condition on the property caused your accident and injury.

• The property owner or manager was aware of the dangerous condition.

• You were lawfully present on the property when the accident occurred.

• The accident resulted in damages.

The duty to maintain safe conditions on the property will vary depending on certain circumstances. For example, commercial property owners have different duties from homeowners.

Do You Need an Attorney for a Slip-and-Fall Case in Illinois?

You are not obligated to hire a legal representative for a personal injury claim. However, if you are unfamiliar with personal injury law in Illinois, you will likely benefit from speaking to one about your case. Your attorney can investigate the accident to find evidence of fault and damages. They will ensure that you claim all available recoverable damages when you file, and most importantly, they will fight for your right to hold a negligent property owner financially liable for your losses.

Contact an Orland Park, IL Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney Today

It is sometimes surprising how severe injuries from a slip-and-fall accident can be, even in the most seemingly safe circumstances. At Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we understand how important it is to ensure that victims of negligent property owners receive the compensation they need to cover the financial, medical, and mental consequences of a bad fall. Call 708-321-1223 to speak to a Cook County, IL slip-and-fall accident lawyer today. No case is too small, and you will always speak directly with your legal representative.