Premises Liability Attorneys in Chicago
Injured on Unsafe Property? Put More Than 200 Years of Combined Experience to Work.
We represent people injured because of negligence on property owned, managed, maintained, or controlled by another party. These cases may involve unsafe stairs, poor lighting, falling objects, structural failures, negligent security, or slip-and-fall injuries at stores, restaurants, apartments, hotels, and parking facilities. Early legal review can be important when a responsible party disputes who controlled the property, whether anyone knew about the hazard, or what caused the injury.
At Cogan & Power, we’ve recovered more than $600 million in settlements and verdicts across our personal injury practice, including nearly $3 million for a woman injured in a slip-and-fall accident while walking into a pool at a hotel resort.
Call us at (312) 477-2500 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your premises liability claim.
Illinois Premises Liability Law
The Illinois Premises Liability Act abolished the former distinction between invitees and licensees for people lawfully on a property. An owner or occupier generally owes lawful entrants reasonable care under the circumstances. Claims involving trespassers require a separate, fact-specific analysis.
Liability may depend on who controlled the area, what dangerous condition existed, and whether that party had actual notice or constructive notice. Constructive notice means the hazard existed long enough, or occurred often enough, that the responsible party should have discovered it through reasonable care. The evidence must also connect the unsafe condition or property-related conduct to the injury.
Property owners, managers, landlords, tenants, maintenance contractors, and other parties may have different responsibilities. Defendants may invoke the open-and-obvious doctrine, comparative fault, lack of notice, lack of control, or rules concerning natural accumulations of snow and ice. The relevance of each defense depends on the property, the injured person’s lawful presence, and the circumstances of the incident.
Types of Premises Liability Lawsuits
Slip-and-fall accidents are common, but premises liability also includes structural failures, animal attacks, equipment-related incidents, and negligent property maintenance.
We handle premises liability matters involving:
- Slip and falls
- Porch and balcony collapses
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Stairway accidents
- Dog bites and animal attacks
- Restaurant accidents
- Retail store accidents
These incidents may cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, burns, disfigurement, disability, or fatal injuries. A structural-collapse claim presents different questions from a negligent-security case or an animal attack, so the property’s use and the source of the danger matter.
Evidence & Losses in a Premises Liability Claim
Evidence that may help identify responsibility includes:
- Photographs
- Surveillance footage
- Incident reports
- Witness information
- Inspection records
- Maintenance logs
- Repair records
- Medical documentation
Ownership records, leases, and service agreements may help identify who possessed or controlled the area because the party responsible for a condition isn’t always the property owner.
The value of a claim depends on the injuries, necessary medical care, employment disruption, long-term limitations, and available insurance coverage. Medical records and employment information can document both the immediate consequences and the effects that may continue after the incident.
Financial recovery may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of normal life
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"Extremely happy with the settlement!"Our case was settled recently. We are extremely happy with the settlement we received due to the efforts of John Power & Tom Murphy. Their diligence moved it through a congested system. We would HIGHLY recommend their firm to anyone that needs their se
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"Outstanding experience from start to finish."Sara and her team consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to stay on top of every detail, ensuring that nothing fell through the cracks. What truly set them apart, however, was their personal approach.- Katina O.
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"After it all, our team at Cogan and Power feels like family."John, Sara, and their staff kept us informed through the process of our wrongful death lawsuit, and all our communication was compassionate. It was a great balance of their expertise and our choice.- Ericka S.
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"Care, patience, and relentless dedication."If you’re looking for someone who will stand by you, fight for you, and see your case through with integrity and heart, I can’t recommend Cogan & Power, and especially Samantha LaFata, enough.- Terrell J.
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"They Are The Best Law Firm in Chicago"I can not say enough great things about John and his team. They are the best law firm in Chicago!! I highly recommend them for your legal needs.- Michael B.
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"Beyond Thankful For What Your Firm Has Done For Us"My family is so thankful for all of the hard work that attorneys John Power, Tom Murphy and James Edwards, who along with the support of Greg Marshall and Nancy O’Donnell have done for us.- Mark S.
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"Excellent Attorneys and even better Humans!"John Power and Tom Murphy are excellent attorneys and even better human beings. Both were there every step of the way guiding us through a very difficult and traumatic process. The hard work and dedication of John, Tom, and the entire Cogan and Power team, make it easier for us to heal and hope for better days. We are forever grateful for the outcome.- Anita Davis
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"The outcome of my case has forever changed my life. Sara is a smiling face that has a lioness’s toughness that works hard for her clients!"Sara Davis truly made my traumatic experience so much easier to deal with. She communicated with me throughout my case to ensure I was up to speed and provided me the next steps to come. Sara was extremely personable, informative and well prepared! She never made me feel as if she was too busy to answer my calls. The outcome of my case has forever changed my life. Sara is a smiling face that has a lioness’s toughness that works hard for her clients! Thanks Sara and team for enhancing my life with the outcome of my case!- Lakitsha L.
What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?
Cogan & Power is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Collaborative Approach to Legal Representation
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Invested in Your Overall Well-Being
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If You Can't Come to Us, We Will Come To You
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You'll Communicate Directly With Our Partners
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Record-Setting Achievements Recovering Millions for Our Clients
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Nearly 200 Years of Combined Experience