Premises Liability

Why Choose Walner Law for Your Premises Liability Claim?

Choosing the right attorney after a premises liability injury is critical. You want a firm with experience, dedication, and compassion—a legal team that treats you like family, not just another case file. Here’s why Walner Law is the firm you can trust:

• Decades of Proven Results: Since 1961, Walner Law has been working tirelessly for Chicagoans, securing life-changing settlements and verdicts. From multimillion-dollar recoveries to countless cases where we helped our clients feel seen and supported, we know what it takes to build a winning case.
• Local Knowledge: We understand Chicago and its unique neighborhoods. From the high-rise apartments of the Loop to small-business storefronts on the South Side, we know the challenges communities face here. Our team tailors its approach to the nuances of your specific case and location.
• Genuine Care and Compassion: Our clients often say we make them feel like more than just legal clients—we’re like a partner in their recovery. Facing an injury is hard. We’re here to guide you through the legal process while providing emotional and moral support every step of the way.
• Clear Advocacy Against Insurance Companies: Insurance companies will do almost anything to shirk responsibility after an accident. Walner Law is prepared to counter their tactics and fight for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under the law.

When dealing with a premises liability injury, you shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden alone. Walner Law is ready to stand beside you and make sure your voice is heard.

What Is Premises Liability?

“Premises liability” refers to the legal responsibility property owners and occupiers have to keep their premises safe for visitors. When someone is injured due to unsafe conditions or negligence, the property owner may be held accountable for the damage.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Premises liability cases can involve many different types of accidents, such as:

The most common occurrences of these types of premises liability claims include:

• Slip and fall injuries: If another party’s negligence created an unsafe environment that caused you to slip and fall, you could sustain a number of serious injuries. A slip and fall can be the result of spills and slick floors, icy or poorly maintained sidewalks, or missing handrails, all of which a property owner can be held liable for.
• Swimming pool accidents: Each year, thousands of injuries occur in private and public pools. A lack of supervision, faulty equipment, or ignorance of safety standards can lead to a range of swimming pool accidents. This includes everything from falls on slippery surfaces and diving board accidents to drowning deaths.
• Animal bites: Pet owners are responsible for the actions of their pets. If you are bitten by an aggressive dog or other pet, you can sustain severe scarring and even disfigurement. The pet owners should be held responsible for injuries to you or your loved ones.
• Rape and assault: Poor lighting, a lack of security, or broken locks can bolster a perpetrator to attack you. If this occurs in a bar parking lot, hotel parking garage, or apartment complex, the property owner could be held responsible for not protecting you as a guest or customer.
• Retail accident: If a display falls or a shelf collapses, you could suffer serious head, neck, or back injuries. A store owner or manager must make sure their store does not present a danger to consumers.

For an accident to fall under premises liability, there must typically be evidence that the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain a safe environment or warn visitors of known hazards, resulting in harm to others.

Whether your injuries stem from a retail store, rental property, public space, or private residence, Walner Law has the experience and dedication to identify the core issues in a premises liability case and build a powerful claim on your behalf.

Do I Have a Premises Liability Case?

You may wonder if your situation qualifies as a premises liability claim. While every case is unique, the following factors are typically required:

• You Were on the Property Legally: Generally, you need to be on the property legally when the injury occurs. This includes being a customer, tenant, visitor, or worker. (Some exceptions may apply for trespassing minors under Illinois laws.)
• The Property Owner Was Negligent: Negligence means the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain a safe environment. This could include ignoring broken stairs, failing to salt icy walkways, or neglecting to repair faulty wiring.
• The Owner’s Negligence Caused Your Injury: There must be a direct connection between the unsafe condition and your injury. For example, if you tripped on unmarked, loose flooring, that hazard must have been the cause of your fall—and injuries like broken bones or head trauma.

When assessing your case, your attorney will review evidence, speak with experts, and determine how best to argue for your claim. At Walner Law, we know how to pin down the evidence needed to prove negligence in premises liability lawsuits.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Chicago Premises Liability Case?

Liability in a premises liability case can vary depending on the type of property where the injury occurred and who was responsible for its maintenance. Some potentially liable parties include:

• Property Owners: The owner of the building or land is usually the primary responsible party in these cases. This includes landlords of residential or commercial spaces.
• Tenants or Occupiers: If a tenant or business is responsible for maintaining certain areas or complying with safety standards (e.g., a store managing its floors), they may also be held liable.
• Property Management Companies: Third-party companies tasked with maintaining or overseeing properties may bear liability if they neglect their duties.
• Government Entities: If your injury occurred on public property like a park, sidewalk, or municipal building, local or state government entities may be to blame.

Determining liability often requires a thorough investigation, legal knowledge, and access to evidence like security footage, maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts. Walner Law has extensive resources and a team of experienced professionals ready to uncover exactly who is at fault in your premises liability case.

Categories of Visitors and Property Owner Duties

Premises liability claims can also depend on what kind of visitor you were on the property. Illinois law recognizes three key categories of visitors, each with different duties owed by the property owner:

Invitees

Invitees are individuals invited onto a property for the benefit of the owner—such as customers at a store or clients in an office. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, meaning they must regularly inspect and maintain their property to ensure safety.

Licensees

Licensees are social guests or others allowed on the property for non-business reasons. While property owners need not conduct frequent inspections, they must warn licensees of any known dangers they might not notice themselves, like a loose step or low-hanging beam.

Trespassers

Trespassers are individuals who enter a property without permission. Generally, property owners owe them the least duty of care. However, property owners still cannot act with reckless disregard for a trespasser’s safety (e.g., setting traps). Additionally, special rules apply when children trespass, especially in cases involving “attractive nuisances” like swimming pools or playground equipment.

No matter your specific situation, Walner Law can help explain how these distinctions apply to your case and pursue justice on your behalf.

Compensation Available in Premises Liability Victims in Chicago

Premises liability injuries can have profound, long-term effects on your life, from mounting medical bills to loss of income and emotional suffering. Walner Law is committed to helping you pursue the full compensation you deserve, which may include:

• Medical Expenses: Past, present, and future costs related to your treatment.
• Lost Income: Wages lost due to your recovery or inability to work.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Rehabilitation: Compensation for services like physical therapy or counseling to aid in recovery.
• Permanent Disability: Damages for long-term or permanent impacts, such as limitations or loss of mobility.
• Wrongful Death Damages: If a loved one passed away due to their injuries, you may receive compensation for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Our team at Walner Law thoroughly evaluates the repercussions of your injury, ensuring nothing is overlooked in the pursuit of justice.

Contact Our Trusted Chicago Premises Liability Attorneys Today

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face the uncertainties of a premises liability case alone. At Walner Law, we are here to guide you through every step of the legal process with care, focus, and a fierce commitment to your well-being.

From the very first consultation, our skilled Chicago personal injury lawyers will listen to your story, address your concerns, and create a tailored plan to fight for the compensation you deserve. We bring decades of experience, an unparalleled record of success, and a deeply personal approach to every case we handle.

Don’t wait to seek the justice you’re entitled to. Contact Walner Law today at (312) 410-8496 or through our online form for a free consultation with one of our experienced premises liability lawyers.