Chicago Victim Wins $150,000 Settlement After Slipping on Ice

Chicago snow and ice offers the prime opportunity to don your ice skates and head to Millennium Park, but these winter conditions also increase your risk of auto accidents and slip and fall injuries. Our lawyers at Sklare Law Group in Chicago recently settled a slip and fall case in which the victim slipped on ice at a business and suffered subsequent injuries. The claimant was awarded $150,000.

Slip and fall cases are complex and require detailed knowledge of Illinois law. The State of Illinois, commercial businesses and homeowners all have an obligation to maintain a reasonably safe property, which includes walkways, sidewalks and transit points. When a business fails to meet this standard, they can be held liable for injuries resulting from dangerous conditions on their property.

Chicago Snow & Ice Laws

There are a variety of snow and ice laws in Chicago that aim to ensure a safe environment on sidewalks, roadways and parking lots during the winter months. Some of these laws include:

• Shoveling the sidewalk: If it stops snowing before 4pm, individuals and companies are required to clear a 5-foot wide path (if applicable) within three hours to provide enough room for strollers, wheelchairs and other assistive devices. If it stops snowing after 4pm, the snow must be cleared by 10am the following day.
• Slip and fall accidents on private property: According to the Snow and Ice Removal Act of Illinois, a homeowner is not liable for slip and fall injuries on the sidewalk in front of their home, even if the injuries are severe. However, if the homeowner fails to properly remove snow and ice, causing unnatural accumulation, then they may be held liable.
• Slip and fall accidents on commercial property: A business is not liable for injuries caused by the natural accumulation of ice or snow. However, if they failed to properly remove snow or ice, which then led to unnatural buildup, they may be held liable, especially if they were aware of the potential danger. Business owners must generally provide safe stairways and floors, but they must also pay attention to dangerous conditions caused by snow and ice.

Slip and fall accidents are some of the most difficult premises liability cases, particularly when they concern ice and snow. Our lawyers are proud to have helped our Chicago client recover compensation for their injuries sustained due to slipping on ice.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, please call Sklare Law Group in Chicago today at (800) LAW-0300 to schedule your FREE consultation. Our lawyers serve clients throughout Northern Illinois including Chicago.