Icy sidewalks pose a danger to pedestrians, often leading to severe slip and fall injuries during the winter months. Property owners and municipalities have a duty to clear snow and ice to prevent accidents. When they fail to do so, victims often have a right to compensation for any injuries they sustain.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, a Waukegan icy sidewalk injury lawyer could help. At Schlack & Bassmaji, our experienced premises liability attorneys could pursue a fair settlement for your losses.
Illinois law imposes specific duties on property owners and businesses to maintain safe sidewalks and address hazardous winter conditions. Under the Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act and common law premises liability principles, property owners must take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable slip and fall hazards caused by ice and snow accumulation.
Many cities and municipalities have ordinances requiring property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within a specified timeframe after snowfall ends, often 24 to 48 hours. Beyond specific ordinances, property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to lawful visitors. This includes inspecting sidewalks for icy conditions, applying salt or sand to improve traction, removing accumulated ice, and warning visitors of known hazards that cannot be immediately remedied.
While property owners may have limited liability for natural ice and snow accumulation in some circumstances, they can be held liable when their actions create or worsen hazardous conditions. This includes situations where improper drainage, roof runoff, or snow removal practices cause ice to form in walkways.
Commercial property owners face heightened responsibilities due to the greater volume of visitors and the business purpose of inviting customers onto the premises. Businesses must implement reasonable snow and ice management protocols, including regular monitoring, prompt treatment of icy conditions, and adequate staffing during winter weather events to address hazards as they develop.
If you were injured due to a fall on an icy sidewalk, our Waukegan attorneys could assist you in proving negligence and non-compliance with statutory or common law standards.
The seriousness of your injuries is a primary factor in how much compensation you can seek. Our personal injury attorneys review your injuries and the effects you have experienced, both economic and non-economic. We regularly seek slip and fall compensation to cover:
The quality of your legal representation may also influence the outcome of your claim. If you had an accident on an icy Waukegan walkway, we understand how to collect compelling evidence, negotiate with insurers, and present your case before a judge. This is important as insurance companies and defendants have many tactics to try to reduce compensation or avoid liability altogether.
Without skilled legal guidance, you risk accepting a lower settlement than you deserve or having your claim completely denied. We are prepared to appeal denials, continue with persuasive negotiations, and litigate your case in court when needed to obtain maximum compensation.
After slipping on an icy sidewalk, victims often face significant out-of-pocket expenses, as well as frustrations from insurance companies that dispute liability or make low settlement offers. At Schlack & Bassmaji, we understand the impact of accidents. A trusted Waukegan icy sidewalk injury lawyer could gather strong evidence, handle insurer negotiations, and fight to secure a fair settlement value. Contact Schlack & Bassmaji today to protect your legal rights.
