Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyers for Dangerous Property Injuries

A slip or trip and fall might sound minor—until it happens to you. One moment you’re walking through a store, parking lot, or apartment hallway, and the next you’re on the ground in pain, wondering what went wrong. Our Chicago slip and fall lawyers help people across Illinois who’ve been injured by unsafe property conditions pursue the compensation they need for medical treatment, lost income, and a more secure future.

Illinois Slip and Fall Accidents – Why These Cases Are More Serious Than They Seem

Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injuries for adults of all ages. A single fall can lead to fractured wrists, ankles, or hips; torn ligaments and tendons; herniated discs; head and brain injuries; or chronic back and neck pain that lingers long after the bruises fade. Many people need surgery, physical therapy, or time away from work—and some never fully get back to where they were before.



Despite this, property owners and insurance companies often treat slip and fall injuries as if they’re no big deal. They may suggest you were “just not paying attention,” blame your shoes, or insist that nothing was wrong with the floor. In reality, many falls happen because a business or landlord cut corners on basic safety and maintenance. When you work with a Chicago slip and fall lawyer who understands how these cases are defended, you get a team focused on proving what really caused your fall and how it has changed your life.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

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Wet floor caution sign with a person slipping.
Wet and Slippery Floors

Spilled drinks in grocery stores, tracked-in water and snow at building entrances, freshly mopped floors without warnings, and leaks from coolers, roofs, or pipes are all common causes of dangerous, slick surfaces. When property owners and managers fail to promptly clean spills or place clear warning signs, they expose visitors to preventable hazards. We look at cleaning schedules, surveillance footage, and incident reports to show how long the condition existed and what the business did—or didn’t do—about it.

Warning sign: snowflake symbol in a triangle, indicating a hazard of ice or snow.
Snow, Ice, and Weather-Related Hazards

In and around Chicago, snow and ice are a constant concern for much of the year. Icy sidewalks, unplowed parking lots, and slushy entryways can easily lead to hard falls. While weather can’t be controlled, property owners and managers often can control how and when they remove snow, salt surfaces, place mats, or put up warning signs. We examine weather records, maintenance logs, and timing to determine whether they acted reasonably under the circumstances.

Pedestrian crossing a crosswalk.
Uneven Surfaces, Cracks, and Broken Walkways

Cracked sidewalks, loose tiles, torn carpet, raised concrete, broken thresholds, and unexpected changes in floor height can all cause trips and falls. These hazards may be the result of long-term neglect rather than sudden changes. We investigate how visible the defect was, how long it had existed, whether there were prior complaints, and whether the owner took appropriate steps to repair or warn about the condition.

A person falling from a ladder.
Stairs, Handrails, and Poor Lighting

Stairways and steps are especially dangerous when they’re poorly lit, uneven, or missing secure handrails. A single misstep on a dark or inconsistent staircase can lead to serious injuries. Property codes and safety standards often require certain features—like proper handrails and non-slip surfaces—to protect users. We review building codes, property records, and photographs to evaluate whether the stairs and lighting met reasonable safety expectations.

Two stacked cardboard boxes.
Cluttered Aisles and Hidden Hazards

Boxes left in walkways, merchandise stacked in aisles, loose cables, open drawers, and other obstacles can create tripping hazards where people don’t expect them. In stores and workplaces, customers and visitors are often focused on shelves, signs, or conversations—not scanning the floor for hidden dangers. We look at store policies, staffing, and stocking practices to show whether the business allowed dangerous clutter to accumulate where people walk.

What to Expect From Our Slip and Fall Accident Team

From your first conversation with us, we focus on understanding both how your fall happened and how it has affected your life. You can expect a Chicago slip and fall lawyer from our firm to listen carefully to your story, review any photos, incident reports, or paperwork you already have, and give you an honest assessment of your options.


While you concentrate on medical care and day-to-day responsibilities, we typically:


  • Obtain and review incident reports from the property owner or business
  • Seek out security or surveillance footage and photographs of the area
  • Document the condition of the floor, stairs, lighting, or walkway where you fell
  • Review your medical records to understand your injuries, treatment, and long-term outlook
  • Identify and interview witnesses who saw the fall or the hazard before or after your injury
  • Examine maintenance logs, cleaning schedules, and any prior complaints about similar hazards
  • Determine all potentially responsible parties and insurance policies, including owners, managers, and contractors


We handle calls and letters from insurance adjusters so you’re not pressured to give recorded statements, accept quick low settlements, or sign forms you don’t fully understand. Throughout your case, we explain each step in plain English, talk through decisions like settlement versus litigation, and keep you updated so you always know what’s happening and why.

Standing Up to Property Owners, Landlords, and Insurance Companies

After a slip or trip and fall, it’s very common for businesses and landlords to insist they “did nothing wrong.” Insurance companies may claim they had “no notice” of the hazard, argue that it just appeared moments before your fall, or suggest that you should have somehow seen and avoided the danger. They may also downplay your injuries as “just a sprain” or “soreness” even when medical records tell a different story.


At Alberts & Eiler, P.C., we’re prepared to push back against those tactics. Our attorneys bring more than 30 years of combined experience working both for and against insurance companies and have completed over 100 jury trials as a team. We understand how slip and fall claims are evaluated behind the scenes, what kinds of facts move the needle, and which defenses are commonly used in Chicago and throughout Illinois.


Because we intentionally maintain a smaller caseload, your case receives focused, hands-on attention from experienced lawyers. We take the time to understand what you could do before the fall—work, hobbies, caring for family—and what has become more difficult or impossible since. That level of preparation helps us show not just that a hazard existed, but how deeply the resulting injuries have affected your life. If property owners or insurers refuse to be fair, our trial experience makes it clear that we are ready to present your case to a jury when that’s what justice requires.

Common Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

  • What should I do right after a slip or trip and fall?

    First, get medical help. If you’re seriously hurt, call 911 or ask someone to do it for you. If you’re able, report the fall to a manager, landlord, or property owner and ask that an incident report be completed—then request a copy. Take photos or video of the area where you fell, including any liquid, debris, broken flooring, lighting conditions, and your injuries. Get names and contact information for any witnesses. Avoid saying things like “I’m fine” if you’re in pain, and don’t sign any broad statements or releases before talking with an attorney who handles slip and fall cases.

  • Do I still have a case if there was a “wet floor” or warning sign?

    A warning sign is one factor, but it doesn’t automatically mean the property owner is off the hook. The law typically asks whether the warning was reasonable under the circumstances—was it visible, placed near the hazard, and clear enough that an ordinary person would notice and understand it? A small sign tucked behind a display, a cone placed far from the slick area, or a sign that was never moved even after the hazard spread may not be enough. We look at photos, video, and witness statements to evaluate whether the warning was actually effective.

  • What if I was looking at my phone or didn’t see the hazard before I fell?

    Property owners and insurers love to point to distraction, but everyday life involves looking at your shopping list, answering a quick text, or paying attention to kids. That doesn’t excuse unsafe conditions. The key questions are whether the property was unreasonably dangerous and whether the owner had a chance to fix or warn about the hazard. Even if you are accused of being partly at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation depending on how responsibility is ultimately allocated. A careful review of the facts is essential before accepting an insurer’s blame.

  • How long do I have to bring a slip and fall claim in Illinois, and when should I talk to a lawyer?

    Illinois law gives you a limited time to bring a premises liability lawsuit, and claims involving certain property owners (like government entities) may have special notice rules and shorter deadlines. Waiting too long can put your rights at risk. Evidence that’s crucial in a slip and fall case—like surveillance footage, incident reports, or the condition of the floor—can disappear or change quickly. It’s wise to talk with a lawyer as soon as you can after the fall so key evidence can be preserved and your claim can be evaluated before any deadlines run out.

  • What kinds of compensation are available in a slip and fall case?

    Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue compensation for emergency treatment, hospital visits, surgery, physical therapy, and other medical care; for lost wages if you miss work or can’t return to the same job; and for out-of-pocket expenses like medications, braces, or transportation to appointments. Many people are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, loss of normal life (not being able to do the things you used to enjoy), and, in serious cases, permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement. Our job is to understand how the fall has affected your life and build a claim that reflects that full impact—not just the first round of bills.

Ready to Talk With a Chicago Slip and Fall Lawyer?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip or trip and fall caused by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, you don’t have to deal with property owners, landlords, and insurance companies on your own. Our firm combines deep insurance-industry insight, substantial trial experience, and a hands-on, small-firm approach to these cases. We offer free, confidential consultations, and you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.