Muhammad Ramadan | February 17, 2024 | Slip and Fall Accidents
A trip to Millennium Park in Chicago would not be complete without seeing Cloud Gate, a 110-ton elliptical sculpture constructed from polished stainless steel. It includes a 12-foot-high arch so visitors can step inside the chamber beneath the sculpture. The piece of art is stunning, and many people visit Cloud Gate each year.
Unfortunately, the area can be crowded, and people may leave things on the ground. Therefore, it can be easy to slip, trip, and fall while visiting Cloud Gate. Cracks in the sidewalk and other hazards could also cause a slip and fall injury.
If you are injured while visiting Cloud Gate, it’s important to understand what you need to do and your legal options for recovering compensation. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys discuss these matters in this blog.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident at Cloud Gate in Chicago?
If you fall while visiting Cloud Gate, things you should do to protect your legal rights include:
Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene
Gathering and preserving evidence for a personal injury claim is essential if you fall. Take photographs of the area, especially if the hazard caused you to slip and fall. Talk with bystanders and witnesses to obtain their contact information. It is also a good idea to make a video of the area to capture details you might have missed while taking pictures.
Seek Medical Treatment for Your Injuries
It is crucial that you seek prompt medical care for your injuries. Slip and fall accidents can result in soft tissue injuries. However, falls can also cause severe harm, including spinal cord injuries, back injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injury.
Prompt medical treatment gives you a better chance of making a full recovery. It also helps with a personal injury claim. Delays in medical care could hurt your chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Document Your Damages
Damages in a slip and fall case include economic damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, and out-of-pocket expenses. They could also include non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
Keep copies of all receipts, invoices, and bills. Track your loss of income and create a journal to write down important details about your recovery (e.g., pain levels, emotional distress, tasks you cannot perform, etc.).
Act Quickly to Seek Legal Advice – Your Time Is Limited to File an Injury Claim After a Fall at Cloud Gate
Another party could be liable for your damages if you experience a slip and fall injury. An attorney can help you determine three key factors for a legal action: The extent of your injury, the cause of your fall, and the party responsible for the hazard.
Property owners and parties responsible for operating and maintaining a site can be held financially accountable for damages caused by a slip and fall injury on their premises. However, the injured party must prove the elements of their premises liability claim.
Therefore, you would need evidence proving the following:
- The property owner or other party owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached the duty of care because they knew or should have reasonably known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it or provide adequate warnings
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your slip and fall injury
- You sustained damages because of your slip and fall accident
Because Millennium Park is owned and operated by the City of Chicago, you should schedule a free consultation with a Chicago premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. The typical two-year statute of limitations for slip and fall cases does not apply if you sue the government.
Instead, the Illinois Tort Claims Act requires you to file a notice with the Clerk of the Court of Claims and the Attorney General within one year of your accident OR file a lawsuit within one year of the accident. Failing to file a notice or lawsuit within one year will likely result in the permanent dismissal of your claim.
A Chicago personal injury attorney can preserve your right to file a claim if you are hurt visiting Cloud Gate. However, you need to act quickly to contact an attorney and start the process to avoid delays that could end your case before it begins.
Contact Our Chicago Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm For Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Chicago, Illinois, and need legal help, contact our experienced slip and fall lawyers at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
134 N La Salle St #2160
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 929-2884