1217 N MILWAUKEE AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60642
773-252-9800
HABLAMOS ESPANOL
Home/Accidents/Slip & Fall

Chicago Slip & Fall Lawyer

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. When they fail and you get hurt, we hold them accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Premises Liability Attorneys

Hurt on Someone Else's Property? You Have Rights.

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury in Illinois. A wet floor in a grocery store, an icy sidewalk outside an apartment building, a broken step in a restaurant — these hazards can cause broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and worse. And they are almost always preventable.

Under Illinois premises liability law, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they know about a hazard — or should have known — and fail to fix it or warn visitors, they can be held financially responsible for the injuries that result.

Insurance companies representing property owners work quickly to minimize or deny slip and fall claims. They may argue you were not watching where you were going, that the hazard was "open and obvious," or that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. At the Law Office of Ivan Rueda and Associates, we know these tactics — and we know how to defeat them.

Illinois Has a 2-Year Deadline — Government Falls May Be Even Shorter

Most Illinois slip and fall claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury. If your fall occurred on government property — a public sidewalk, park, or city building — you may have as little as 1 year and must file a formal notice of claim within that window.

Surveillance footage is often overwritten within days. Incident reports can disappear. Do not wait to contact us — the sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case will be.

Call Now — 773-252-9800

Types of Cases

Slip & Fall Cases We Handle

💧Wet or Slippery Floors
🚧Uneven or Broken Pavement
🪜Defective Stairs & Handrails
💡Poor Lighting
❄️Snow & Ice Accidents
🏠Loose or Torn Carpeting
🛒Retail Store Accidents
🍽️Restaurant & Bar Falls
🅿️Parking Lot Hazards
🦺Construction Zone Hazards
🛗Elevator & Escalator Accidents
⚖️Wrongful Death

Responsible Parties

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Fall?

Liability in a slip and fall case depends on who owned, controlled, or maintained the property where you were injured. Multiple parties may share responsibility.

Property Owners

Homeowners and private landowners have a duty to maintain safe conditions for invited guests and, in some cases, even trespassers — particularly children.

Businesses & Retailers

Stores, restaurants, hotels, and other commercial establishments must regularly inspect their premises and promptly address known hazards.

Landlords & Property Managers

Landlords are responsible for maintaining common areas — hallways, stairwells, parking lots, and entryways — in a reasonably safe condition.

Government Entities

Falls on public sidewalks, parks, or government buildings may give rise to a claim against a city or municipality — but strict notice deadlines apply.

Building Your Case

What Must Be Proven in a Slip & Fall Case

Illinois premises liability law requires proving four key elements. Our attorneys gather evidence immediately and work with experts to establish each one.

1

A Dangerous Condition Existed

We establish that a hazardous condition — a wet floor, broken step, icy walkway, or other defect — was present on the property at the time of your fall.

2

The Owner Knew or Should Have Known

We show that the property owner or occupier either knew about the hazard or should have discovered it through reasonable inspection and maintenance.

3

The Owner Failed to Act

We prove the owner did not fix the hazard, warn visitors, or take reasonable steps to prevent injury within a reasonable amount of time.

4

The Hazard Caused Your Injuries

We document the direct link between the dangerous condition and the injuries you suffered — supported by medical records, expert testimony, and evidence from the scene.

Why Choose Us

Why Clients Trust Ivan Rueda for Slip & Fall Cases

We act fast to preserve surveillance footage, incident reports, and scene evidence
We know every defense tactic insurers use against slip and fall victims — and how to counter them
No fee unless we win — you pay nothing out of pocket to pursue your case
We handle claims against businesses, landlords, government entities, and private property owners
Bilingual attorneys — Hablamos Español — serving all of Chicago and Cook County
Decades of experience winning premises liability cases throughout Illinois

How It Works

Our Slip & Fall Claim Process

01

Free Consultation

We review the details of your fall, explain your legal rights under Illinois premises liability law, and give you an honest assessment of your claim — at no cost.

02

Preserve the Evidence

We act quickly to secure surveillance footage, incident reports, maintenance logs, and photographs of the hazard before the property owner can alter or destroy them.

03

Build Your Case

We work with medical experts and safety specialists to document your injuries and establish that the property owner's negligence directly caused your fall.

04

Fight for Compensation

We negotiate aggressively with the property owner's insurer. If they refuse a fair settlement, we take your case to trial and fight for every dollar you deserve.

What You May Recover

Types of Compensation Available

Medical Expenses

All costs to treat your injuries — emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, imaging, and any ongoing or future medical care.

Lost Wages & Earning Capacity

Income lost while you recover, and future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation.

Pain & Suffering

Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life caused by your fall and resulting injuries.

Permanent Disability & Disfigurement

If your fall caused lasting impairment, nerve damage, chronic pain, or scarring, you may be entitled to substantial additional compensation.

Rehabilitation Costs

Expenses for physical therapy, occupational therapy, assistive devices, and home modifications needed as a result of your injuries.

Wrongful Death

If a loved one died from injuries sustained in a fall, surviving family members may recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.

Client Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

"My experience with Ivan Rueda was tremendously successful. He discharged my case from felony to no case at all. He made the whole process easy and painless. The Rueda's team handled it professionally and expeditiously."

Leonor Buenavides

Chicago, IL · Google Reviews

"Thank you for your service and appreciate the hard work on my case. Excellent results. Also the amazing work of his assistant — she was available immediately and responded rapidly. I recommend this office 100%."

Joseluis Cabrero

Chicago, IL · Google Reviews

"Thank you for an amazing experience! Thank you for helping us and explaining step by step the process. The outcome was exactly what Mr. Rueda said it would be and I am so grateful."

Cassandra Flores

Chicago, IL · Google Reviews

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Ready to discuss your case? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available to speak with you in English or Spanish.

Phone

773-252-9800

Email

[email protected]

Address

1217 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60642

Free Consultation

Submit your details and we'll be in touch shortly. You can also email us if you would prefer.

773-252-9800 [email protected]
1217 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60642
You don't Pay
if we don't win
Call Today! 773-252-9800

Call Today! 773-252-9800

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Serving Illinois cities such as:

Chicago, Bellwood, Berkley, Berwyn, Bridgeview, Broadview, Bolingbrook, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Calumet City, Cicero, Countryside, Elk Grove Village, Elmwood Park, Evergreen Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Hanover Park, Hillside, Hodgkins, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, Markham, Maywood, McCook, Melrose Park, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Skokie, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Wheaton, Waukegan, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Downers Grove, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Stickney, Stone Park, Summit, Westchester, Willow, La Villita, Lawndale, Brighton Park, Pilsen, Midway, Avondale, Garfield Park, Logan Square, Schiller Park, Bensenville, Addison, Rolling Meadows, Cook County and at the 26th and California Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Bridgeview Courthouse, Daley Center Courthouse and Markham Courthouse. Also serving DuPage County, Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, and Will County.

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Serving Illinois cities such as: Chicago, Bellwood, Berkley, Berwyn, Bridgeview, Broadview, Bolingbrook, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Calumet City, Cicero, Countryside, Elk Grove Village, Elmwood Park, Evergreen Park, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Hanover Park, Hillside, Hodgkins, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, Markham, Maywood, McCook, Melrose Park, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Park Ridge, Skokie, Evanston, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Wheaton, Waukegan, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Downers Grove, River Forest, River Grove, Riverside, Stickney, Stone Park, Summit, Westchester, Willow, La Villita, Lawndale, Brighton Park, Pilsen, Midway, Avondale, Garfield Park, Logan Square, Schiller Park, Bensenville, Addison, Rolling Meadows, Cook County and at the 26th and California Courthouse, Maywood Courthouse, Bridgeview Courthouse, Daley Center Courthouse and Markham Courthouse. Also serving DuPage County, Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, and Will County.

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