Premises Liability

Child killed in Chicago area roller coaster accident

April 4, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A three-year-old boy from Dalton has died in an Illinois premises liability accident on Saturday after falling from a children’s roller coaster, according to the Naperville Sun. The accident occurred around 7 PM at an establishment called Go Bananas, which is described as a family entertainment center located at 4516 N. Harlem Ave. in Norridge, Illinois. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was performed on Sunday and it showed that the boy died of multiple injuries sustained in the accident. Further, his death has been ruled an accident.

Is being reported that the victim and his twin brother were riding a small roller coaster when the child somehow freed himself from a safety bar and then became stuck between two cars, and then fell 3 or 4 feet from the moving coaster.

Chicago trip and fall lawyers reach $72,500 premises liability settlement

February 11, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Illinois premises liability attorneys at Abels & Annes have resolved a Cook County personal injury lawsuit for $72,500.

The case arises out of a trip and fall that occurred back on October 9, 2008 at an indoor soccer facility in Chicago. Our client was playing soccer when he tripped and fell over a ridge/bump in the playing surface that was similar to bunched up carpeting approximately 2 inches in height.

The lawsuit alleged that the playing surface should have been flat even and that precautions should have been taken to ensure the surface remained good condition, such as reasonable inspections and repair. Further there were no signs or other warnings posted to notify players of the condition.

Inspection reveals code violation in Illinois elevator accident

February 4, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Chicago premises liability attorneys at our office reported last week that a toddler was seriously injured in Joliet after falling down an elevator shaft in a hotel. The Naperville Sun is now reporting that a switch that was used by the child to open the elevator door should have been locked at the time of the accident.

The safety issue was disclosed by Joliet’s chief building inspector, who is stating that the failure to have the switch locked was a code violation. He also stated that the switch should have been shielded or should have required a key to work.

Elevators in Joliet are reportedly inspected by private companies that are licensed by the state, and not inspected by the city itself. Due to this accident, the fire marshal has temporarily suspended the licenses of two inspectors as it continues to investigate this Joliet elevator incident.

Chicago area elevator accident – two-year-old boy falls 30 feet down an elevator shaft in Joliet

January 26, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois premises liability accident has resulted in severe head injuries to a toddler that were suffered in a fall down an elevator shaft at a Joliet Hotel, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. The boy, who fell approximately 30 feet on Sunday afternoon at a hotel located at 26 W. Clinton St., was airlifted from Joliet’s Silver Cross Hospital to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and is expected to survive.

Guests heard the boy crying from the elevator and the desk clerk called the police for help. The elevator was stopped between the first and second floors and was not moving.

Video footage shows the child left his third floor room and went to the elevator, followed by his mother who brought the boy back to the room. A few minutes later, the video shows the boy going to the elevator and pressing the call button. He entered the elevator and began pushing buttons.

Holiday shopping hazards include Chicago parking lot accidents, slip and fall hazards, premise liability

November 23, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Parking lot safety and pedestrian accidents in Chicago are in focus as shoppers prepare for Black Friday and the holiday season beyond.

As we reported earlier this month on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, early dark and the arrival of winter weather both increase the risk of Chicago pedestrian accidents. Nationwide, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatal Illinois pedestrian accidents claimed 135 lives.The holiday shopping season and parking lot hazards carry their own risk of injury. Parking lot pedestrian accidents, backover accidents and slip and fall accidents are a few of the common dangers. Premise liability accidents may also occur from overcrowding, wet and slippery floors and merchandise falling from high shelves.

Shopping and Parking Lot Tips for Illinois Drivers:

-Park in a well-lit area as close to your destination as possible.

-Close your windows and lock your doors.

-Do not leave presents or valuables in plain view.

-Remember where you parked your car.

-Shop with a friend or family member.

-Condense items into one or two bags instead of carrying many bags through the parking area.

-Purchase most expensive items at the end of the day to avoid carrying them around or leaving them in the car.

-Have keys ready when walking to your car.

-Be aware of your surroundings.

-Lock doors after getting into the cars.

-Pay particular attention when backing up.

-Follow parking lot signs and pavement markings — go with the proper flow of traffic.

-Beware loose shopping carts.

-Pay particular attention to small children.
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Chicago personal injury attorney files dog attack lawsuit

November 18, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Illinois injury lawyers at Abels & Annes have filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local resident that was injured in a dog attack. The suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

At issue is an injury that occurred back on July 24, 2009. The plaintiff was taking out the trash outside his residence in an alley. At that time he heard growling and turned to see a very large dog chasing after him. To avoid serious injury our client was forced to jump over a nearby fence and upon landing he suffered a serious fracture to his arm and dislocated his elbow.

The defendant dog owner was a nearby neighbor. The yard is fenced where the dog is kept, however the fence was in disrepair, the rear gate was often left open, and the dog was often let out into the yard without being chained. It was known in the neighborhood that the animal would often get loose and many complaints have been made to police in the past.

Chicago car accidents, pedestrian accidents just two of the many dangers during Halloween Week

October 18, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Our Chicago injury lawyers urge you to stay safe during Halloween week, which historically has been among the nation’s most dangerous for car accidents and other types of injury mishaps.

Authorities will be looking for drunk drivers during a nationwide “Over the Limit. Under Arrest” campaign from Oct. 25-31. In the past 10 years, drunk drivers have caused more than half of the nearly 5,000 traffic fatalities during the week of Halloween, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And, while nighttime is always a dangerous time to be on the road, Halloween night is frequently one of the year’s deadliest.Children, teenagers and adults are also at high risk of being injured in a Chicago pedestrian accident or premises liability claim involving anything from a slip and fall accident to a dog bite.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that Halloween is among the holidays with the highest number of emergency room visits. Finger and hand injuries are the most common, while the most likely to be injured are those ages 10 to 14.

The following safety tips may help you and your family stay safe this Halloween:

-Use knives specifically designed for pumpkin carving — not kitchen knives. And never let a child carve pumpkins.

-Be mindful of fire hazards when lighting jack-o-lanterns. Use non-flammable light sources, such as glow sticks.

-Keep Halloween costumes light and bright so children are easily seen by motorists and other pedestrians. Use reflective tape for even better visibility.

-Costumes should fit properly and be flame resistant. Be sure masks, hats and face paint do not obstruct vision. Costumes may present a trip hazard if they are too long and should be trimmed appropriately.

-Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Children and parents should carry flashlights.

-Be aware of dogs.

-Carry a cell phone in case of emergencies.
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Chicago area premises liability attorney obtains $1 million settlement for porch collapse victim

October 2, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The Daily Herald is reporting that a woman injured in a Cary, Illinois porch collapse will receive a $1 million settlement to compensate her for her injuries. The woman suffered a serious ankle fracture and multiple abrasions when her backyard deck collapsed. Surgery was required to repair the fracture, and another surgery will be needed in the future. A homebuilder from Lombard has agreed to pay on the claim.

The plaintiff filed a premises liability lawsuit in 2009 against the homebuilder for negligent work that did not comply with the village’s building code, which required the defendant to use lag bolts on unattached decks. The attorney for the plaintiff stated the deck had been put together with only nails.

The victim’s Illinois premises liability attorney, Francis Murphy of Corboy & Demetrio, stated that the deck tore away from the back of the home, which is located in the 300 block of Oakmont Drive, as the plaintiff stepped onto it from her kitchen.

Fire prevention effort highlights Chicago apartment injuries, landlord liability

September 16, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Gov. Pat Quinn has proclaimed September to be Campus Fire Safety Month in Illinois, urging students, schools and landlords to ensure fire safety as the new school year begins.

More than 100 students have died in off-campus fires in the last decade and many more have been injured, according to the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Illegally divided apartments or campus-area apartments without adequate fire protection or emergency exits are a common danger. A Chicago injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney can assist students and families in the wake of a serious or fatal fire.

Landlords have an obligation to provide secure properties; adequate fire protection is just one example. Safe porches and stairways are another. As we reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, several people were injured over the weekend in accidents involving collapsing porches.

In making the announcement, the governor pointed to the case of Tanner Osborn, a 22-year-old college student who died along with two other classmates in a 2005 Chicago apartment fire. The apartment had no working smoke detector. Tanner’s mother started “LOOK UP! Pay it Forward” as a way to remind students to look up for working smoke detectors in all student housing. Once a year, the program focuses on one university to get the word out.

This year’s effort will be at Western Illinois University in Macomb on what would be Tanner’s 28th birthday. Volunteers will join the Macomb Fire Department and students in passing out smoke alarms and fire prevention material.

Fire Safety Tips

-Test windows and doors to ensure they open.

-Practice alerting other members of an apartment or home.

-Install working smoke detectors.

-Post emergency numbers near telephone.

-Make sure you have a safe method of escape in all situations.

-Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything.

-Remain vigilant with smoking materials; never smoke in bed or while sleepy.

-Be careful while cooking — have a working fire extinguisher.
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Chicago porch collapse injures 4

September 13, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago porch collapse that occurred early Sunday morning on the North Side has injured at least four people, according to the Chicago Tribune. City officials are already saying that the porch was not up to code. Also, Chicago Buildings Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey stated that the porch was several decades old.

Around eight people were on second level of the rear porch when it became separated from the building and collapsed. The building is located in the 3700 block of N. Ashland Avenue. The City has had no prior complaints about the structure. Further, because the building is only 2 1/2 stories tall, it is not required to undergo annual inspections under the building code.

Four people that were injured in the collapse were taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center. One of the victims was in serious-to-critical condition, while the others were in fair-to-serious condition. Four other people refused medical treatment.