DuPage County Premises Liability Lawyers

5-Star Rated Injury Attorneys for Victims of Slip and Falls in DuPage County

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to legal responsibility property owners or occupiers have when someone is injured on their premises due to dangerous conditions. In Illinois, the Premises Liability Act requires owners to maintain safe environments and to warn of hidden hazards. To succeed in a claim, the injured party must prove:

1. Dangerous condition existed,
2. The property owner knew or should have known of that condition,
3. The owner failed to fix the dangerous condition or warn about it,
4. And the plaintiff suffered injury as a result.

Common Types of DuPage County Premises Liability Accidents

In DuPage County—as with much of Illinois—the most frequent types of premises liability cases include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents from wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces.
• Trip-and-fall due to loose carpet edges, potholes, frayed mats.
• Inadequate security, leading to assaults in parking lots or apartments.
• Hazards from defective structures, like broken handrails or stairs.

High-Risk Locations for Slip and Fall Accidents in DuPage County

Certain DuPage County locations emerge repeatedly in personal injury cases:

• Commercial properties (stores, malls, restaurants): frequent slip-and-fall spots due to spills or maintenance issues.
• Public sidewalks and parking lots—particularly near retail stores or high-traffic restaurants. A broken curb or icy patch easily causes injury in to pedestrians.
• Residential properties, especially multi-unit complexes, where neglected stairs, lighting, or walkways cause tenant injuries.

Evidence Needed for a Successful Premises Liability Claim

To build a strong premises liability case in DuPage County, experienced local injury attorneys gather evidence such as:

• Incident reports from businesses or 911/EMS dispatch,
• Photographs/video of the hazard—wet floor, icy sidewalk, loose step,
• Eyewitness accounts from bystanders—who often confirm the hazard was present,
• Maintenance logs, warnings, and security footage,
• Medical records detailing injuries.

Prompt evidence collection is critical—stores often clean up or repair hazards soon after incidents to try to minimize their liability.

Legal Process & Timeframes for DuPage County Premises Liability Cases

Filing Deadlines (Statute of Limitations)

In Illinois, personal injury claims—including premises liability—must generally be filed within two years of the accident. However, there are some instances where this deadline may be shorter. Missing this window generally costs the chance to recover compensation.

Civil Liability vs. Workers’ Compensation

• Customers or guests: Claims filed under premises liability.
• Employees injured due to workplace hazards: Covered by workers’ compensation—limited to benefits, with no lawsuit allowed.
• Mixed-status (visitor who becomes employee) cases are complex—these are often litigated in DuPage courts.

Types of Compensation Victims Can Recover After a DuPage County Slip and Fall Accident

DuPage County property accident injury victims may be entitled to a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent impairment or disability
• Emotional distress (especially in assault cases)
• Property damage (e.g. phone damaged by fall)

Illinois courts can also award punitive damages in egregious cases—e.g., willful neglect or falsified maintenance records.

Common Defensive Strategies by DuPage County Property Owners

In premises liability cases, property owners typically counter injury claims with defenses like:

• No knowledge: Claiming they didn’t know or couldn’t reasonably know of the hazard.
• Open and obvious: Arguing the hazard should have been seen by a careful person.
• Comparative negligence: Asserting the victim was partially to blame.
• Timeliness: Cleaning or repairing after an incident but before legal action.

In Illinois, an injured person’s recovery decreases proportionally to any assigned percentage of fault under comparative negligence rules.

Why an Experienced DuPage County Personal Injury Lawyer Matters After an Accident at a Property

Premises liability can be complex, and insurance companies often undervalue claims. Experienced DuPage County personal injury attorneys—like our attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates—support victims by:

• Investigating and preserving evidence,
• Documenting injuries and costs,
• Building persuasive legal narratives,
• Negotiating fair settlements,
• Providing representation in court, when needed.

What to Do After an Injury at a Property in DuPage County

If you’ve been injured in DuPage County due to property hazards:

1. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Preserve evidence—photos, witness info, incident reports.
3. Notify the property owner or manager in writing.
4. Track all your expenses—medical bills, lost wages.
5. Document your injuries and recovery journey.
6. Contact a seasoned DuPage premises liability attorney right away—to protect your claim before the statute of limitations expires.

Contact the Award-Winning DuPage County Slip and Fall Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

If you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall, trip, or other injury due to a property hazard in DuPage County, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. The insurance companies and property owners have attorneys—so should you.

Act now. Time is limited—Illinois gives you only two years to file a premises liability claim. Don’t let deadlines or overlooked evidence cost you the compensation you deserve.

Contact the knowledgeable DuPage County premises liability attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates today for a free consultation. We offer a convenient office location in Naperville to meet and discuss your case. Recover your medical bills, lost income, and peace of mind—because negligent hazards should never derail your life.