Proving Your Slip and Fall Accident at an Illinois Store

 Posted on November 22, 2023 in Personal Injury

Slip and fall accidents can happen unexpectedly at retail stores, causing injuries that require medical treatment. Under Illinois premises liability law, stores have a duty of care to maintain reasonably safe conditions for customers. If you slipped and fell due to unsafe conditions, you may have a valid case for compensation. An Illinois attorney can help you look over your case and help you with the next steps.

Establishing Liability

To prove the store’s liability for your damages, you first need to establish that the store owed a duty of care to keep the premises safe for customers. This duty legally exists for anyone lawfully on the property. Next, you must show this duty was breached through negligence, such as failing to clean up a spill or allowing floor hazards like torn carpeting or uneven flooring. 

There must be a direct, verifiable connection between the hazardous condition, your accident, and resulting injuries. You will also need evidence that you suffered monetary damages because of the accident, such as medical bills, lost income, or other costs.

Documenting Evidence

The important piece of the case is to build a strong premises liability case. You need comprehensive evidence of the store’s negligence and breach of duty. Make sure you take the proper documentation steps. You should identify and get accounts from witnesses who observed the fall.

Take dated photos of the dangerous condition that caused you to slip. If you did not remember to take photos at the incident, try to think who could have been around, if you knew anyone there, and see if they got any pictures.

Note details like wet floor signage, the accident’s time, and specific location. Get a copy of the official incident report from the store’s management. Request any surveillance footage that may have captured the accident. The video footage will be one of the best forms of evidence but do not try to get it yourself. Make sure you allow the lawyer and police to do this part.

Contact a Decatur, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If you fall at a store, you should not feel like you must suffer from the injuries yourself. The store is obligated to pay you compensation for your injuries if you have a strong case with proof. An experienced Champaign, IL personal injury attorney can help you build the most robust case possible. Call Kanoski Bresney at 888-826-8682 for a free consultation.