Alton, IL - Halvorsen Klote

Alton, IL

Premises Liability Attorneys Alton, IL

Alton, IL Personal Injury Lawyers


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Premises liability attorneys in Alton, IL. Anyone who is in control of a property in Alton, IL has an obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent people who enter the premises from becoming hurt. Unfortunately, a lot of times they neglect that duty, and innocent people are injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one was injured on someone else's property, you need knowledgeable Alton, IL premises liability attorneys to fight for your rights. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are dedicated to offering injury victims the same standard of legal representation as large corporations and insurance companies. We fight for the injured in both Missouri and Illinois, and fight hard so our clients can finally get a sense of justice and recognition. Call our premises liability attorneys today 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.

Premises Liability Attorneys Alton, IL | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyer Near Alton

What Are the Premises Liability Laws in Missouri and Illinois?

Missouri Revised Statute §537.348 and the Illinois Premises Liability Act dictate the premises liability laws in their respective state.

The laws in each state are largely similar: A property owner has a responsibility to warn against or fix a "dangerous condition" they either were aware of or should have known of through reasonable maintenance. If they don't, they can be held accountable for any injuries suffered because of the dangerous condition.

The states are different in one key aspect, and it concerns the duty of care property owners must give different categories of visitors.

Types of Visitors in Alton, IL Premises Liability Cases

The law differentiates between invitees, licensees and trespassers:

  1. Invitees — A business invitee is someone who is on the property to benefit themselves and/or the proprietor. This can include a customer in a retail store or someone shopping in a grocery store. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, for example a park or a library. Property owners can be held accountable for an invitee's injuries caused by dangers they knew about or should have known about.
  2. Licensees — A licensee is someone who is on the property with the owner's consent, but there is no express financial benefit to either of them. This can mean a family member staying at your house, but the law might apply to someone who came into an establishment just to use the restroom. In Illinois, licensees have the same legal protections as invitees. In Missouri, property owners can only be held accountable for dangers they had express knowledge of; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
  3. Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Because of that, they do not have the same protections as the first two categories, meaning they can't sue the property owner to get compensated for their injuries. There are two exceptions:
    1. Pursuant to Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a landowner can still be liable for a trespasser's injuries if the landowner acted with "willful and wanton conduct." Meaning, if the owner intentionally created or allowed a danger to be there because they wanted trespassers to get hurt, the trespasser may be able to sue the owner.
    2. Under the attractive nuisance theory, property owners may be liable if a child gets hurt while trespassing. An "attractive nuisance" is something that is likely to attract children. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or construction projects. In this instance, the child and their family can make a claim for compensation.

Do I Have a Premises Liability Claim in Alton, IL?

In any personal injury case, you must prove the four elements of negligence:

  1. Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to protect you from unreasonable hazards? The extent of the property owner's or manager's responsibility to keep you safe depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and what state you're in. Generally, anybody who is allowed to be on the property is owed a duty of care.
  2. Breach of duty — If they fail in their obligation, that constitutes a violation of that obligation. That could mean not mopping up a wet spot on the floor, or not putting a "wet floor" sign out.
  3. Causation — Did the dangerous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because somebody ran into you, you may not be able to show that the property owner was negligent. Likewise, if you didn't observe warning signs because you weren't looking where you were going, you might not have a valid claim.
  4. Damages — In order to make a claim, you have to have suffered harm. Usually, you need to show economic harm, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to get a financial recovery for how the injury impacted you physically and emotionally. If you sustained a minor cut, but had no expenses due to your injury, you likely do not have enough to make a case.

Halvorsen Klote's Alton, IL premises liability attorneys have proven numerous premises liability claims. If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, or have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, call one of our attorneys for free today at 866-382-4167.

Premises Liability Attorneys Alton, IL | Personal Injury Law Firm | Slip and Fall Lawyer Near Alton

Types of Premises Liability Cases in Alton, IL

Slip and Falls

Falling is by far the most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls are responsible for 12% of total falls that lead to emergency room visits, and are the number one reason people need to lose days from work.

Slip and falls can be caused by:

  • Wet or oily floors
  • Broken staircases, handrails or floors
  • Ice or snow
  • Loose wiring
  • Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting

Negligent Security

Inadequate Security often arises in apartment buildings, office buildings or hotels. The owners of these properties must take reasonable steps to ensure that dangerous people don't have access to the building, or certain areas of it. Examples of this could include security guards or needing a code to enter the property. Generally, inadequate security claims are filed after someone being injured due to a violent crime. While the police and criminal courts are responsible for convicting the offender, you'll usually need to file a civil lawsuit – with the aid of premises liable attorneys – against a property owner to be compensated financially for your injuries and emotional anguish.

Swimming Pool and Amusement Park Accidents

Swimming pool accidents usually happen to children. Drowning is the leading cause of death to children between the ages of one and four. Public swimming pools must be properly supervised, and barriers and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.

In 2016, more than 30,000 people sought emergency medical attention for injuries suffered at amusement parks. Negligence can include mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, malfunctioning seat belts, electric shocks structural issues. Amusement park owners must ensure that the rides meet safety requirements. If you were injured because of their negligence, our Alton, IL premises liability attorneys will help you secure justice and maximum compensation.

Fire and Smoke Injuries

Local Alton, IL laws are strict when it comes to fire codes for all types of properties. Fires can cause terrible injuries and lifelong scarring, and even the inhalation of smoke can create substantial health risks. If a property owner did not adhere to local fire codes, your Alton, IL premises liability lawyers at Halvorsen Klote can hold them liable for any injuries you sustain. Liability can occur because of a variety of factors, from faulty wiring or gas leaks to leaving debris around heating units.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites need to be coned or roped off with sufficient warning signage. If you were injured in a construction site accident in a slip and fall, car accident or by falling debris because the site was not properly secured, you can hold the construction company accountable for premises liability.

However you sustained your injuries, if you were injured on someone else's property or in a public space, call Halvorsen Klote's Alton, IL premises liability attorneys for the full compensation you're entitled to.

How Much Is My Alton, IL Premises Liability Claim Worth?

How much your injuries worth depends on the financial, physical and mental hardships your injuries cause. With skilled Alton, IL premises liability attorneys, you'll be compensated for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages from time spent recovering
  • Lost earning capacity if your accident results in permanent disability
  • Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from medical appointments
  • Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement and loss of consortium

How much your premises liability claim is worth will be based on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the skill and experience of your Alton, IL premises liability attorneys.

How Alton, IL Premises Liability Attorneys Can Help

Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, the role of a lawyer is paramount. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:

  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding your injuries and develop a legal strategy that gets you the most compensation possible
  • Obtain evidence, including maintenance logs, inspections, proof of any previously files complaints and/or video footage
  • Interview witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the hazard
  • Answer the phone when you call and answer any question you may have
  • Handle all the legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on healing
  • Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
  • Take the liable party to court if the other side will not be fair in negotiations

Our compassionate and experienced attorneys will be by your side every step of the way, and will not stop until you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Other injury cases we take on in Alton, IL include:

Premises Liability Attorneys Alton, IL | Slip and Fall Lawyers | Personal Injury Attorney Near Alton

Speak to Halvorsen Klote's Alton, IL Premises Liability Attorneys Now

The notion of having to fight back against a large insurance company can be intimidating. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you are entitled to full compensation. We've devoted our lives to offering the injured the same expert legal representation as the people who injured them. If you were injured because of a Alton, IL property owner's negligence, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us through our website for a complimentary case review.


Joel Halvorsen

Joel Halvorsen

Attorney at Law

Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.


Greg Klote

Greg Klote

Attorney at Law

Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.

Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.