How Dangerous Property Conditions Lead to Premises Liability Lawsuits
April 30, 2025
At Larson Law Group LLC, we've seen firsthand how unsafe property conditions can put lives at risk and lead to serious legal claims. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors.
When they don't, and someone gets hurt, it often results in a premises liability case. These cases are a key part of personal injury law and focus on whether the property owner acted responsibly.
Our firm works with clients in La Grange, Illinois who are dealing with injuries from falls, structural failures, inadequate security, and more. By helping injured people hold negligent property owners accountable, we aim to make our communities safer for everyone.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability refers to a property owner's legal responsibility for accidents and injuries that occur on their property. Whether the injury happens at a grocery store, an apartment complex, or a private home, the question often comes down to whether the property owner knew—or should've known—about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it.
When property owners don’t act with reasonable care, the results can be life-changing for the injured person. From missed work to ongoing medical care, these injuries can be costly.
Common Types of Dangerous Property Conditions
Unsafe conditions come in many forms, and not all are obvious at first glance. We've handled a wide variety of premises liability claims and have identified patterns in the most common types of hazards.
Wet or slippery floors: These can lead to slip-and-fall accidents in stores, restaurants, or residential buildings.
Broken stairs or handrails: Unsafe stairways are particularly hazardous for older adults or those with mobility concerns.
Poor lighting: Dimly lit areas, especially in parking lots or stairwells, increase the risk of trips, falls, or even crime.
Unsecured swimming pools: Pools without fences or covers can be deadly for young children.
Faulty wiring or exposed electrical components: These pose both fire and electrocution risks.
Negligent security: A lack of locks, security personnel, or surveillance can contribute to assaults or robberies.
Each of these dangers can support a premises liability claim if the property owner failed to fix or warn about the hazard in time.
Who's Liable for a Premises Liability Claim?
When someone gets hurt on another person’s property, we look closely at who had control over the space. The property owner is often responsible, but in some cases, it could be a property manager, maintenance company, or tenant.
In Illinois, the level of care a property owner owes depends on the status of the visitor:
Invitees: These are people invited onto the property for business purposes, like customers in a store. They are owed the highest duty of care.
Licensees: Social guests fall into this category. Property owners still have a duty to warn them of known dangers.
Trespassers: Even though they’re not supposed to be there, property owners can still be liable for injuries, especially if the trespasser is a child.
Figuring out who is liable is a critical part of any premises liability case. Once we've identified who was in charge of maintaining the area, we move forward with building evidence.
How Negligence Is Proven
To move forward with a premises liability claim, we must show that the property owner acted carelessly. This means proving they knew—or should’ve known—about a danger and failed to correct it in a reasonable amount of time.
The elements of a premises liability case usually include:
Duty of care: The property owner owed the injured person a duty to keep the premises safe.
Breach of duty: The property owner failed to meet that duty.
Causation: The hazardous condition directly caused the injury.
Damages: The injury led to measurable harm, like medical bills or lost wages.
Photos, surveillance video, maintenance logs, witness statements, and incident reports all play a role in showing negligence.
Injuries That Often Lead to Claims
Unsafe property conditions can result in a wide range of injuries. Some are minor, while others have long-term consequences. We've seen how a single fall or incident can affect someone’s ability to work or take care of their family.
Common injuries in premises liability cases include:
Broken bones: Slips and trips often lead to fractures in arms, legs, hips, or wrists.
Head injuries: Falls can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries, especially in older adults.
Spinal injuries: A hard fall or structural collapse can result in herniated discs or paralysis.
Burns or electrocution: Poorly maintained wiring or flammable materials increase the risk.
Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, sharp objects, or jagged building materials can cause serious wounds.
When these injuries occur due to unsafe conditions, a premises liability claim may help cover the cost of treatment and ongoing care.
Challenges in These Cases
Even when someone is clearly injured, proving that the property owner was negligent isn't always easy. Insurance companies often try to blame the victim or argue that the danger was obvious and avoidable.
We’re familiar with the tactics used to fight these claims and are prepared to respond. Challenges may include:
Lack of evidence: Video footage may be unavailable or deleted.
Delayed reporting: The longer someone waits to report the injury, the harder it is to build a case.
Comparative fault: Illinois law allows for shared fault, meaning an injured person’s compensation can be reduced if they’re partially to blame.
Unclear ownership: In some cases, it’s difficult to determine who’s responsible for maintenance.
We help our clients work through these hurdles with careful investigation and clear documentation.
What To Do After an Injury
If someone’s been hurt on someone else’s property, acting quickly can protect their health and their case. There are important steps to take immediately after an incident.
Recommended actions after a premises injury include:
Seek medical attention: Documenting injuries right away creates a clear record.
Report the incident: Tell the property owner or manager what happened and ask for a written report.
Take photos or videos: Capture the scene, including the hazard and any visible injuries.
Get witness information: Names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident can help.
Contact a lawyer: Reaching out early gives us more time to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Taking these steps helps us pursue a premises liability claim with confidence and clarity.
Damages in Premises Liability Cases
Injured parties may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages, depending on the severity of their injuries and how their lives have been affected.
Common types of damages include:
Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, medications, therapy, and future care.
Lost wages: Time off work and reduced earning capacity.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress.
Disability or disfigurement: Long-term impact on mobility or appearance.
Loss of enjoyment: When injuries prevent someone from participating in daily activities.
Our goal is to make sure each client gets the resources they need to recover fully and move forward.
Why These Cases Matter
We handle premises liability claims because we believe no one should suffer due to someone else's carelessness. These lawsuits not only help our clients recover but also push property owners to improve safety conditions.
When a store installs better lighting or a landlord fixes a broken stairwell because of a lawsuit, future injuries can be prevented. These cases can bring long-term value to the community by promoting accountability.
Premises liability law is about more than individual recovery. It’s also about setting a standard that unsafe conditions shouldn’t be ignored.
How We Help
At Larson Law Group LLC, we know how overwhelming a serious injury can feel. That’s why we take a collaborative approach and walk our clients through each step of the process.
Our firm helps with:
Case evaluation: Reviewing the incident and advising on whether there’s a valid claim.
Evidence gathering: Requesting maintenance logs, video, and other records.
Communication with insurers: Handling all correspondence to protect our clients’ interests.
Settlement or litigation: Pursuing fair compensation through negotiation or court, if needed.
We’re committed to providing dedicated service and treating every case with the attention it deserves.
Reach Out to a Premises Liability Lawyer
If you've been injured due to dangerous property conditions, our firm is here to help. Larson Law Group LLC serves clients in La Grange, Illinois and can assist with all aspects of a premises liability claim. Contact us today to discuss your case and take the next step forward.