Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, but it can be incredibly frustrating when it occurs in a store. Not only are you dealing with an injury, but you are also potentially dealing with a store that is uncooperative or unwilling to take responsibility for your accident. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some steps to handle a slip and fall at a store incident when the store is uncooperative.

Collect Any Evidence, Including Medical Reports

If you have suffered a slip and fall accident in a store, collecting any evidence that may help support your case is important. This can include photos or videos of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical reports from doctors treating your injuries. Of course, this event already passed, so ask anyone with you if they have an image they may have taken. Most people take images and videos of these scenarios, so it is worth asking any witnesses. These medical reports can be crucial in proving the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

When is the Store Legally Liable for Injuries?

For a store to be legally liable for a slip and fall accident, it must be established that it was negligent in maintaining a safe environment for its customers. This can include failing to clean up spills or hazards, failing to post warning signs about dangerous conditions, or fixing broken or defective flooring. If the store was negligent in this way and this negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to hold the store legally liable for your damages.

You may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability lawsuit if you have been injured on someone else’s property. However, it is crucial to understand that the Illinois Tort Immunity Act can limit the liability of property owned government entities such as schools. Understanding the Illinois Tort Immunity Act is crucial when pursuing a premises liability case in Illinois.

What is the Illinois Tort Immunity Act?

The Illinois Tort Immunity Act is a state law that limits the liability of certain government entities and employees in civil lawsuits. The law was enacted to protect public officials and employees from frivolous lawsuits that could result in financial ruin for the individual or entity.

Under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act, certain government entities, including schools, park districts, and municipalities, are immune from liability for certain types of negligence. However, the immunity is not absolute, and there are exceptions to the law.

The Illinois Premises Liability Act protects visitors from harm caused by the carelessness or negligence of property owners and operators. The law holds people responsible for premises liability if their actions or negligence result in injury, ensuring that all parties take reasonable steps to keep licensees and invitees safe while on-site.

Who Is Considered a Licensee or Invitee?

Under Illinois law, visitors on a property are divided into two categories: licensees and invitees. A licensee is someone who enters another’s property with permission but without an implied or expressed invitation from the owner or occupier of the land. An invitee is someone who enters another’s property with an implied or expressed invitation from the owner or occupier of the land. Both of these are very different from a trespasser, who would far less standing to file a premises liability action following an injury.

What are the Elements of a Premises Liability Case in Illinois? 

For a plaintiff to successfully bring forth a premises liability claim against an owner or occupier in Illinois, they must prove four elements: 

Tenants in an apartment have certain legal rights. Landlords and property owners have certain legal responsibilities. One such responsibility is the obligation to provide a safe and secure environment for their tenants. When negligent security leads to a tenant's injury or death, the landlord may be held liable under what is known as premises liability.

If you have been injured in an assault or other crime on apartment property, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What is Considered Negligent Security?

Apartment complexes have a duty to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their tenants. This means they must take action to deter and prevent criminal activity on the premises. There is no way to completely prevent crime or tenant injuries, but apartment landlords must provide a reasonable degree of security.

Recently, people throughout the United States were horrified by the collapse of a 12-story condo building in Miami, Florida. The 40-year-old building had shown signs of deterioration due to the salty climate and regular storms in the area, but its owners had not taken action to perform repairs or address the risks of a collapse. The rubble of the building is still being searched for survivors, but at least 54 people have been confirmed dead, and it is likely that the death toll will be over 100.

This disaster demonstrates the importance of following building codes and ensuring that a structure is safe for its occupants. Unfortunately, far too many building owners, including many in the Chicago area, fail to regularly inspect their buildings and perform repairs to ensure that they are in compliance with safety regulations. When people are injured because of the negligence of a building’s owner, they may be able to pursue a premises liability lawsuit and recover compensation for their injuries and damages.

Injuries Due to Building Code Violations

There are many ways that failure to follow building codes can threaten people’s safety, including: