As temperatures begin to dip and autumn turns (sometimes slowly and sometimes overnight) into winter, property owners prepare for the inevitable snowfall that arrives each year. Despite the knowledge that winter in Chicagoland and Illinois brings about snow-covered and slippery walkways, pedestrians often are forced to traverse treacherous routes that sometimes result in injuries caused by a slip and fall.

Mother Nature and the Law

The question of whether or not someone is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk and steps in front of their home or other property is a common topic during the winter months. The related issue of whether or not an individual can file a personal injury claim against a property owner when they call on a snowy sidewalk is just as common. Last winter, the Illinois Supreme Court clarified an Illinois law passed in 1979 that was designed to protect property owners under certain circumstances.

If you have been injured after falling at business, you may think you have a foolproof lawsuit. However, slip and fall claims can be complicated to prove. In many cases, the most difficult element that an accident victim will be required to show to the court is that the business owner knew or should have known about the danger that caused the fall.

The law requires that business and property owners keep their properties in reasonably safe conditions. However, the accident victim must prove that the responsible party have knowledge or should have had knowledge of the dangerous condition.

How to Prove Knowledge of the Dangerous Condition

Pre-existing conditions and accidents: It happens all the time, but some accident victims unnecessarily worry that their ability to be compensated will be hurt by a prior injury or medical condition.

The truth is that Illinois law is on the accident victim’s side in many of these cases, and with the help of skilled personal injury attorney, accident victims can be fully compensated for injuries sustained in accidents such as slip and falls and motor vehicle crashes, regardless of their health at the time of the accident.

Illinois Law on Pre-Existing Injuries

Slip and falls are very common. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one million people are sent to the hospital every year for treatment of injuries from a slip and fall accident.

Slip and fall accidents can leave victims bruised or with broken bones. In some cases, the victim can die. This is especially common among the elderly.

Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere dangerous conditions are present, including the workplace or retail stores. Here are seven common slip and fall hazards.