Poor Lighting Accidents in Illinois: When a Property Owner Is Liable for Your Injuries

When Is a Property Owner Liable for Poor Lighting Accidents in Illinois?

Property owners owe a duty of care to maintain safe environments for visitors, tenants, and other authorized individuals on their property. Part of keeping a safe area is maintaining adequate lighting in various spaces to minimize the risk of an accident or criminal activity.

For example, property owners may need to install lighting in stairwells, hallways, entryways, and sidewalks or walkways.

If a property owner is aware or should have been aware of poor lighting and an inadequate lighting accident occurs on his or her property, this individual or entity may be responsible for any injuries resulting from that accident. If a property owner is aware of poor lighting conditions that can present a hazard, it's important for that person or entity to either address the condition with fixed lighting or warn people with proper signage.

How Does Inadequate Lighting Contribute to Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries?

Slip and fall accidents are among the most serious, as the second-leading cause of accident-related injury deaths. There are multiple ways poor lighting can lead to an accident, especially slip and fall accidents. These include:

• Hiding Obstacles: In many instances, poor lighting conceals various obstacles that can present a slipping or tripping hazard, such as spills, electrical cords, trash, and broken flooring.
• Obscuring Surface Changes: One of the most common slip and fall accidents occurs from uneven flooring, torn carpet, and floor level changes that might not be visible in poor lighting.
• Masking Stairway Risks: Stairwells and other stairways without proper lighting could put people at risk of tripping on steps, and they might have missing handrails or broken treads that could easily lead to accidents.
• Misjudged Steps: Floor levels that suddenly drop or rise with a single step might not be visible in poor lighting.

These risks could be present in many areas, from stairwells and staircases to hallways, parking lots, and walkways.

What Evidence Helps Prove a Poor Lighting Claim in Illinois?

There are plenty of pieces of evidence that could help prove not only that poor lighting caused an accident, but that a property owner was responsible. Key evidence includes:

Photos and Video Footage

Victims could capture photos or video recordings of the area where the accident occurred, demonstrating the poor lighting and the supplemental condition that led to a slip and fall or another accident, such as uneven floors or obstacles in the way.

Medical Records

You must also seek medical treatment shortly after the accident to begin treatment with a proper diagnosis and prove that the accident caused your injuries.

Witness Statements

People who were present at the scene of the accident when it occurred can corroborate the victim's version of events.

Maintenance Reports

Records could indicate that the property owner was aware or should have been aware of poor lighting and other dangerous conditions, but failed to get maintenance services. Records might also indicate that maintenance personnel were responsible for inadequate services. Additionally, records might reveal a property owner has a history of negligence resulting in prior hazards and accidents.

Consult With an Experienced Premises Liability Attorney in Illinois

If you suffer an injury in a slip and fall or another type of accident from poor lighting and a property owner is responsible, it's in your best interest to work with a premises liability lawyer with experience handling these cases.

An attorney can help guide you through your case, informing you of what to expect. He or she may also help navigate the entire personal injury claim process with insurers and defending attorneys, calculating all damages and working to recover total compensation through a claim or a lawsuit.

In the process, a lawyer can negotiate with insurance adjusters, making counteroffers against initial offers to reach a fair settlement.

At Strong Law Offices, we have represented many clients in premises liability cases. Depending on the circumstances, we can identify property owners and other liable parties responsible for your accident and injuries, working toward building a successful case in your favor.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options, including a claim or lawsuit.

FAQs

When can a property owner be held responsible for injuries caused by poor lighting?

Property owners have a duty of care to provide authorized visitors and others with a safe environment to mitigate the risk of injuries. If property owners were aware of or should have been aware of poor lighting in critical areas, and an injury occurs as a result, they may be liable for these injuries.

What types of accidents are commonly linked to inadequate lighting?

A few types of accidents often result from poor lighting, including slip and falls on obstructions or slippery surfaces, car accidents on roadways or in other areas with inadequate lighting, and criminal activity such as assaults.

What proof do I need to show that poor lighting caused my injury in Illinois?

To prove that inadequate lighting caused an accident and injuries, you can collect multiple pieces of evidence, including photos and video footage of the accident scene demonstrating the conditions, medical records, witness statements from people present at the scene, and maintenance reports.