Do I Have a Premises Liability Case?

 Posted on January 07, 2026 in Personal Injury

If you were hurt on someone else's property, you might be wondering whether you have a legal case. Maybe you slipped on a wet floor at a grocery store, tripped on a broken sidewalk, or fell down poorly lit stairs at an apartment building. These accidents happen more often than most people realize, and property owners can be held responsible when their negligence causes injuries.

Not every accident on someone else's property leads to a successful lawsuit. Understanding how premises liability works in Illinois can help you figure out whether you have a case worth pursuing in 2026.

Our Will County personal injury attorneys at Carlson Law Group, P.C. offer free consultations and have over 25 years of experience handling premises liability claims. We have the resources and connections to give your case the best chance of success. Call us at 815-710-3700 to discuss your situation in a free consultation.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is an area of personal injury law that holds property owners responsible for injuries that happen on their property due to unsafe conditions. Under Illinois law, specifically the Illinois Premises Liability Act found at 740 ILCS 130, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors.

This duty applies to:

• Private property owners

• Businesses

• Landlords

• Government entities that control public spaces

When property owners and managers don’t fix dangerous conditions or warn visitors about hazards, they can be held legally responsible for injuries that happen as a result.

According to the National Safety Council, falling accidents account for tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Every injury and death that happens from a preventable fall is a tragedy. Many of these accidents happen because property owners failed to maintain safe conditions.

What Are the Most Common Premises Liability Injuries?

Premises liability cases can involve many different types of accidents and injuries. Some of the most common situations include the following.

Slip and Fall Accidents 

Slip and fall accidents often happen due to wet floors, icy sidewalks, uneven surfaces, or loose carpeting. These falls can cause broken bones, head injuries, and back injuries that require extensive medical treatment.

Trip and fall accidents occur when people stumble over obstacles like broken pavement, cluttered walkways, or damaged flooring. Even a small defect can cause a serious fall.

Poor Security 

Inadequate security cases happen when property owners don’t have reasonable security on their property. This doesn’t have to be security guards; lighting and cameras matter as well. If you were assaulted in a parking lot, apartment complex, or business with a history of crime, the property owner might be liable for your injuries.

Animal Attacks

Dog bites and animal attacks can lead to premises liability claims when property owners fail to control dangerous animals on their property.

Other Common Causes of Premises Injuries 

Swimming pool accidents, falling objects, elevator and escalator malfunctions, and exposure to toxic substances are other situations that can form the basis of a premises liability case.

What Makes a Premises Liability Case Successful?

To win a premises liability case in Illinois, you need to prove several things:

• First, you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. 

• Second, you must demonstrate that the owner failed to fix the problem or warn visitors about it.

• Third, you must prove that this failure caused your injury.

• Fourth, you must prove that you suffered damages as a result. 

The strongest premises liability claims include strong evidence. This can include photographs of the dangerous condition, reports filed with the property owner, witness statements, medical records, and more.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident, as long as your fault is not more than fifty percent. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Call a Joliet, IL Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you were injured on someone else's property, you deserve to know whether you have a case. A premises liability claim could help you get compensated for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Our Will County personal injury lawyers at Carlson Law Group, P.C. have over 25 years of experience. We offer free consultations to help you understand your options. Call Carlson Law Group, P.C. at 815-710-3700 to get started.