Premises Liability Attorneys Litchfield, IL
Litchfield, IL Personal Injury Law Firm
Call 866-382-4167 for a No-risk, No-obligation Case Review | Litchfield, IL Slip and Fall Lawyers
Premises liability attorneys in Litchfield, IL. Anyone who owns or operates a property in Litchfield, IL has a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to prevent injuries on the premises. But too often, they neglect that duty, and innocent people who did nothing wrong get hurt. If you or a loved one was injured on someone else's property, you need experienced Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. At Halvorsen Klote, our attorneys are dedicated to leveling the playing field between large corporations and insurance companies and everyday people every day. 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 fill out our online form for a free case review.
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 each state.
Both states treat premises liability almost equally: A property owner has a duty to inform people of or repair a "dangerous condition" they either knew of or should have been aware of through reasonable care. If they neglect that obligation, they are responsible for any injuries sustained because of the dangerous condition.
The states are different in one very important way, and it concerns the duty of care property owners must give different kinds of visitors.
Types of Visitors in Litchfield, IL Premises Liability Cases
The law distinguishes between three classes of visitors in premises liability claims:
- Invitees — A business invitee is someone whose presence on the property benefits the property owner or manager. This can be a customer in a retail store or hotel guests. A public invitee is someone on property that the public can access, for example bike paths 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.
- Licensees — A licensee is someone who has the permission of the property owner to be on the premises, but there is no express financial benefit to either of them. This can mean a friend staying at your house, but the law might apply to someone who came into a restaurant just to ask for directions. In Illinois, licensees have the same legal protections as invitees. In Missouri, property owners are only liable for hazards they knew about; the "should have known" standard doesn't apply when a licensee is injured.
- Trespassers — Trespassers are on the property illegally. Therefore, they do not have the same rights as the first two categories, meaning they can't make a claim to get compensated for their injuries. There are two exceptions:
- Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act and Missouri Revised Statute §537.349, a property owner can still owe compensation 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, they can still be held responsible.
- Under the attractive nuisance theory, a child who is trespassing may be considered an invitee. An "attractive nuisance" is something that is likely to attract children. Examples could be swimming pools, trampolines or construction projects. In this instance, the family of the child may still make a claim against the property owner or manager for the child's injuries.
Proving Your Premises Liability Claim in Litchfield, IL
With all personal injury claims, you must demonstrate how the four elements of negligence are present in your case:
- Duty of care — Did the landowner owe you a duty of care to protect you from unreasonable harm? The degree of a landowner's duty of care depends on whether you're a invitee, licensee or trespasser and your jurisdiction. Typically, anybody who is legally on the property is owed a duty of care.
- Breach of duty — If they neglect their obligation, property owners are considered to have breached their duty. That could mean not repairing a broken staircase, or not roping off a section that has a dangerous condition.
- Causation — Did the hazardous condition directly cause your injuries? If you fell because somebody ran into you, you may not have a valid claim against the property owner. Likewise, if you didn't see an obvious hazard because you weren't looking where you were going, you might not have a valid claim.
- Damages — To have a valid claim, you have to show that you suffered injuries, loss and other expenses. Usually, you need to show economic loss, such as lost wages and medical expenses, to get a financial recovery for how the injury affected you physically and mentally. If you sustained a few bumps and scrapes, but didn't need medical attention or miss any time off work, you may not have a valid claim.
Halvorsen Klote's Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys have taken on, proven and won these types of cases before. If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, or have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, don't hesitate to speak to one of our attorneys at no charge at 866-382-4167.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents in Litchfield, IL
Slip and Falls
Falling is the number one most common nonfatal preventable injury. Slip and falls account for over one million emergency room visits a year, and are the number one reason people need to lose days from work.
Slip and falls can be caused by:
- Slippery floors
- Broken staircases, handrails or floors
- Ice or snow
- Loose cords
- Uneven flooring, rugs or carpeting
Inadequate Security
Negligent Security often occurs in apartment buildings, offices or hotels. The owners of these properties must guard against potential criminal activity that may reasonable occur. Examples of this could include a doorman or needing a code to enter the property. Generally, lawsuits for inadequate or negligent security 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 take civil legal action – with the help of premises liable attorneys – against a property owner in order to get justice in the form of financial compensation.
Swimming Pool and Amusement Park Accidents
Swimming pool accidents are most common in children. Drowning is the primary cause of fatalities in children under the age of five. Public swimming pools must have lifeguards, and fences and lifejacket rules should also be in place to help protect children.
In 2016, an estimated 30,900 people sought emergency medical attention for injuries sustained at amusement parks. Injuries can be caused by mechanical issues, operator error, collisions, ride ejections, electrician structural issues. Anybody who operates a theme park must ensure that the rides are properly designed, maintained, inspected and repaired. If you were injured because of their negligence, our Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys will hold them accountable.
Fire and Smoke Injuries
Local Litchfield, IL laws are stringent 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 Litchfield, 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 poor handling of flammabale materials to missing or broken sprinkler systems.
Construction Accidents
Construction zones need to be coned or roped off with sufficient warning signage. If you were hurt 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 make a claim against the construction company.
Whatever the nature of your specific injuries, if you were injured on someone else's property or in a public space, call Halvorsen Klote's Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys for the full financial recovery you deserve.
What Compensation Can I Recover For My Litchfield, IL Premises Liability Injuries?
The damages you recover after a premises liability accident are meant to compensate you for the financial, physical and mental toll your injuries cause. With talented Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys, you cans secure a financial recovery:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from time spent recovering
- Lost earning potential if you can no longer work
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to and from medical appointments
- Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement and loss of consortium
How much money you get in your premises liability settlement depends largely on the severity of your injuries, the impact they've had on your life and the abilities of your Litchfield, IL premises liability attorneys.
How Litchfield, IL Premises Liability Attorneys Can Help
Given the complex nature of litigation and premises liability laws, having a qualified lawyer on your side is crucial. When you hire us, our premises liability attorneys will:
- Investigate the accident and develop a legal strategy that gets you the best possible results
- Acquire evidence, including maintenance logs, inspections, previous complaints filed and/or video footage
- Take depositions from witnesses, employees or others who may have knowledge of the hazard
- Be available whenever you need us to be and answer any question you may have
- Handle all documentation and litigation so you can focus on healing
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Represent you in 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 Litchfield, IL include:
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Speak to Halvorsen Klote's Litchfield, IL Premises Liability Attorneys Now
The notion of having to fight back against a powerful corporation can be daunting to many. But, if you were injured because of someone else's negligence, you deserve full compensation. We've committed our practice to helping the average person get the same expert legal advocacy as powerful corporations and insurance companies. If you were injured because of a Litchfield, IL property owner's carelessness, call our premises liability attorneys today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.
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
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.