Arlington Heights Restaurant Injury Attorneys

Premises Liability Lawyers Serving Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows and Cook County

The city of Chicago is home to more than 10,000 restaurants, eateries, cafés, and other places to eat. The number is even greater when you consider the suburbs surrounding the city. The region is known for some of its signature foods, such as deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and thanks to its meatpacking history, barbecue. To date, 22 of the city's restaurants have been awarded the food industry's coveted Michelin stars.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that going out to enjoy a good meal can be a fun, relaxing experience, but unfortunately, accidents can and do happen in restaurants. Some of these incidents are caused by the negligence on the part of ownership, management, and staff. If you have been injured in a restaurant or suffered an illness after dining out, our experienced attorneys can help you explore your options for taking action.

The Basics of Premises Liability in Illinois

Under the law in Illinois, restaurant owners-like other property owners-have a duty to keep their guests, employees, and other visitors reasonably safe. An owner is responsible for ensuring that the establishment is free of dangerous conditions and to take corrective action if and when hazards do develop. If a dangerous condition cannot be corrected immediately, the owner must take reasonable care to warn guests of the condition in order to prevent accidents and injuries. Failure on the part of the owner to do these things could result in liability for any injuries that are caused as a result.

Common Types of Restaurant Injuries

As with any establishment that is open to the public, restaurants offer their share of inherent dangers, and injuries can happen in a number of ways, including:

• Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents: It is not uncommon for food or beverages to be spilled on the floor, creating slipping hazards. Staff members must take care to place warning signs after mopping up spills to prevent falls while the floor dries. Dim lighting used for aesthetics could increase the chances of guests tripping and falling;
• Allergic reactions: Food allergies have become increasingly prevalent in recent decades. While a restaurant cannot usually be held liable for allergies that staff is not informed about, proper training is necessary regarding ingredients, cross-contamination, and other issues that could cause allergic reactions;
• Food poisoning: Foodborne illness can be caused by spoiled food, improper storage or handling, and undercooking certain products. Fresh produce and other products could also be contaminated by a wide variety of pathogens; and
• Burn Injuries: Hot beverages and hot service utensils-such as "sizzler" pans-can cause serious burns. Staff members are responsible for ensuring that customers are kept as safe as reasonably possible.

Mount Prospect Counsel for Restaurant Liability

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that it can be difficult to prove definitively that a restaurant is liable for the injuries you have sustained. Doing so requires a careful and thorough investigation into the situation. When you contact our firm, our attorneys will do everything we can to figure out what happened, why, and who is to blame. From there, we will go to work in building a case designed to get you maximum compensation under the law. While we will negotiate with insurance companies in good faith, we are also prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.

Call 847-797-8000 Today

If you or someone you love was injured or became seriously ill at a restaurant, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation and case review today. Our firm serves clients in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Wheeling, Lake County, DuPage County, Cook County, and the rest of Northern Illinois.