ILLINOIS TRIP AND FALL ATTORNEYS
Injured After Tripping on a Hazard? We’ve Recovered Over $500 Million for Clients Across Illinois.
Trip and fall accidents happen when a raised, uneven, or obstructed surface catches a pedestrian off guard, unlike a slip-and-fall caused by a slippery surface. Cracked pavement, loose flooring, exposed cords, and construction debris are common culprits. Phillips Law Offices has represented injured victims across Illinois since 1945, recovering over $500 million in verdicts and settlements.
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(312) 346-4262
Legally reviewed by Stephen D. Phillips, Managing Partner, J.D., Loyola University Chicago · Past President, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association · Illinois State Bar Association
Last updated: August 2026
💼 $500M+ Recovered
⚖️ 75+ Years Experience
⭐ 4.9 Google Rating (113 Reviews)
Super Lawyers Top 100
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Trip and Fall vs. Slip and Fall
While often grouped together, trip-and-fall and slip-and-fall accidents involve different mechanisms and evidence. A trip-and-fall occurs when a person’s foot catches on an unexpected obstacle or elevation change, sending them forward. Common tripping hazards include uneven sidewalk slabs, torn or bunched carpeting, exposed electrical cords, loose floor mats, construction debris, and unmarked steps or curbs. Because tripping hazards are often more subtle than a wet floor, proving the property owner knew or should have known about the condition is critical.
Establishing Liability for a Trip and Fall in Illinois
Notice Requirement: To recover compensation, you generally must show the property owner had actual or constructive notice of the tripping hazard, meaning they knew about it or it existed long enough that they reasonably should have discovered it through routine inspection.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/): Property owners owe lawful visitors a duty of reasonable care. Under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault.
Statute of Limitations: You generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Claims involving a trip hazard on public property, such as a municipal sidewalk, often carry much shorter notice deadlines under the Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/).
What to Do After a Trip and Fall Accident
STEP 1
Get Medical Treatment
Seek medical attention right away. Trip-and-fall accidents commonly cause wrist fractures from bracing a fall, as well as knee, hip, and facial injuries.
STEP 2
Photograph the Hazard
Photograph the exact object or condition that caused you to trip, along with the surrounding area, before it can be fixed or removed.
STEP 3
Identify Witnesses
Get contact information from anyone who saw the fall or who can speak to how long the hazard had been present.
STEP 4
Contact Phillips Law Offices
Call us at (312) 346-4262 before speaking with the property owner’s insurance company.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Decide What Your Case Is Worth
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. Our attorneys are trained to maximize it. Get a free, honest evaluation of your case today.
(312) 346-4262
Personal Injury Case Results
Phillips Law Offices has a proven record of obtaining substantial compensation for personal injury victims across Illinois. These results reflect our commitment to thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy.
$25 Million
The Situation
A 17-year-old lost both kidneys due to a physician’s gross negligence.
Our Approach
Our attorneys litigated the case for four years, building the medical record needed to hold the responsible providers accountable.
The Result
$25 million settlement for the family.
$7 Million
The Situation
A 39-year-old woman suffered serious harm from negligent care in a hospital intensive care unit.
Our Approach
We built the record establishing the hospital’s failure in her care and took the case to verdict.
The Result
$7 million jury verdict.
$3 Million
The Situation
A 46-year-old father of four suffered a severe femoral artery injury following a cardiac catheterization procedure.
Our Approach
We pursued the medical negligence claim against the treating providers.
The Result
$3 million settlement for the family.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
What Our Illinois Clients Say
“I would highly recommend using the Phillips legal team for any personal injury matter. Their experience in the field of personal injury law is unparalleled and continues to lead to record results.”
Terese Bertucci, Google Review
“Phillips Law Offices attorneys are very professional and great to work with. They took my concerns seriously and walked me through the whole process. Would definitely recommend them to anyone.”
Thomas Mciver, Google Review
Trip and Fall FAQs
What is the difference between a trip-and-fall and slip-and-fall claim?
A trip-and-fall involves catching your foot on an obstacle or elevation change, while a slip-and-fall involves losing traction on a slippery surface. Both are governed by the same Illinois premises liability principles, but the evidence needed can differ.
What if the hazard was ‘open and obvious’?
Property owners often argue an obvious hazard relieves them of liability. Illinois law recognizes exceptions, including when an owner should have anticipated visitors would be distracted and not notice the hazard.
What is the statute of limitations for a trip and fall claim in Illinois?
Generally two years from the date of injury (735 ILCS 5/13-202), though claims against government property often have much shorter notice deadlines.
Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the accident, under Illinois’ modified comparative negligence rule.
How much does it cost to hire a trip and fall lawyer?
Phillips Law Offices works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Talk to an Illinois Trip and Fall Lawyer Today
(312) 346-4262
Related: Slip & Fall / Premises Liability | Sidewalk & Pothole Accidents | Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact Phillips Law Offices for a free consultation.