If you are among the many victims of slip and fall accidents in Springfield, IL, you are probably wondering if you have the right to compensation for any personal injuries you may have suffered. The short answer is that every case is different. An attorney experienced in cases of this sort must establish whether the accident was the result of property owner neglect or your own carelessness. Defining What is Reasonable A successful claim citing property owner negligence may hinge on whether the defendant acted reasonably. The court will want to know whether the owner makes sufficient effort to keep the property safe. For example, if you tripped over a piece of torn carpet or broken pavement, had the problem area been there long enough for the property owner to have known about it? Was there a legitimate reason for the object you tripped over to have been in that particular spot? Should the property owner have put up a warning sign or even a simple barrier? Did poor lighting have anything to do with your accident? These are the kinds of questions that might be asked if your case goes to court. Keeping in Mind What is Normal Think about the circumstances related to your fall. The limb that struck you might have fallen from a tree during a snowstorm, or a patch of virtually invisible black ice may have formed in the remote location where you happened to be walking. Was anyone negligent in these instances, or were they simply natural events? Liability Explained To be held legally responsible for any slip and fall accidents in Springfield, IL, it must be proved that the property owner or an employee caused the dangerous surface or object to be underfoot or that they knew of the problem but did nothing about it. It might also be proved that the owner or employee of the premises should have known about the problem because a “reasonable” person who was taking care of the area would have removed the object or repaired the dangerous surface. Compensation Possibilities If you believe that you might be a candidate for compensation, an attorney can help you understand your rights and the personal injury laws that will affect your claim. Your injuries, whether physical or mental, could have resulted in your having to take time off from work, and you may have medical bills to deal with. Compensation damages for which you may be eligible might include payment for those medical bills, reimbursement for the work you missed, any property damage or loss and recompense for pain and suffering due to the injuries you suffered. Supporting your Claim There are numerous causes for slip and fall accidents in Springfield, IL. You could be injured because you fell on a wet floor, a section of uneven ground, a defective stairway or because of countless other issues. If you feel the injuries you sustained were not caused by your own inattention or carelessness, an attorney experienced in personal injury cases will be happy to speak with you. You may indeed have a good claim for compensation.
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