Illinois Premises Liability Defense Attorneys

Skilled and Aggressive Premises Liability Defense Lawyers in Chicago, IL

One of the drawbacks to being a property owner is exposure to premises liability. When someone is injured on your property, they may bring a civil litigation action, seeking monetary damages for their injuries. When such incidents occur, property owners and their insurance companies need seasoned premises liability defense attorneys in their corner fighting aggressively to defend their interests.

For nearly 20 years, BCM Law, P.C. has defended insurers and self-insured property owners in premises liability litigation in Illinois and throughout the country. Our award-winning attorneys have an in-depth knowledge of the most effective defenses for such cases, and what it takes to secure a favorable outcome. We have numerous attorneys and a large support staff, and we have the experience and resources necessary to provide the strongest possible defense.

We handle premises liability defense for all types of clients, such as:

• Shopping Malls
• Restaurants
• Apartment Complexes
• Businesses
• Government Entities
• Property Managers
• Homeowners
• Insurance Carriers

We defend for a wide range of premises liability claims, including but not limited to:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls
• Dog Bite Injuries
• Snow and Ice
• Uneven Surfaces
• Swimming Pool, Park and Playground Incidents
• Construction and Workplace Accidents
• Electrocutions
• Poor Lighting
• Food Poisoning
• Inadequate Security Claims
• Product Liability
• Industrial Hazards
• Dram Shop Liability

Successful Premises Liability Defenses

In Illinois, a plaintiff must prove that a party in possession and/or control over a property was negligent in their "duty to provide reasonable care" to prevent injuries. In other words, the owner and/or possessor were aware (or should have been aware) of a dangerous condition that caused the injury. Some potentially effective defenses include:

• The "Open and Obvious" Defense: When a potentially hazardous condition is open and obvious and there is a reasonable expectation that the entrant should discover it, the property owner or manager is not liable.
• Natural Accumulation of Snow and Ice: A property owner does not have a duty to remove the "natural accumulation" of snow and ice, even if it poses a danger to property entrants.
• Trespassers Have Fewer Rights: The duty of reasonable care is only applicable in cases wherein there is express or implied consent for the entrant to be on the property. Trespassers are not owed the same level of duty as neutral or invited guests.

Rapid Preparation and a Thorough Defense

One of the keys to a successful defense is early preparation. When a client needs our help, we go to work immediately to investigate the incident and identify any and all holes in the case of the plaintiff. Leveraging our extensive experience, we discover and develop helpful facts that may not always be readily apparent. By preparing a strong defense early, we are often able to settle the case quickly and at a lower cost for our clients.

For a personalized consultation with one of our Illinois premises liability defense attorneys, contact BCM Law, P.C. today at 312-425-3131. From our offices in Chicago and Bloomington/Normal, we provide skilled representation for clients in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and across the country.