Is a business liable for personal injuries occurring on its property?
The Chicago Fire Department is investigating the Aragon Ballroom after a man fatally fell from the ballroom’s catwalk. This investigation is in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau activities from the day after the incident.
The Chicago Department of Buildings previously determined the man’s death was not a result of any building code violations. An inspection from December 2014 showed the building had three minor code violations but none were related to the catwalk.
The man and a few of his friends were attending a concert the night of the incident. They were seated on the second floor balcony but entered another area of the Aragon Ballroom through a door leading to the catwalk area. After entering the door, the men were watching the concert when they noticed the friend was missing. The man had fallen approximately six to eight feet from the catwalk and landed on two protruding metal rods. He was taken to a nearby hospital and later died from his wounds. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act applies to these kinds of cases. Generally, property owners owe a duty of reasonable care under particular circumstances and depending on the actions of the injured person. For example, if the injured person was restricted from entering particular areas, he or she may not be able to bring suit against a property owner or the liability of the property owner might be limited. Property owners typically do not have a duty to warn people about open and obvious dangerous conditions and are not liable for misuse of the property by individuals. It is important to discuss the specific facts of your case with an attorney.
If you or a loved one has been injured on someone else’s property, the knowledgeable and experienced attorneys at Ryan Ryan & Viglione can help. We have an established record of success representing clients in the Chicago and Waukegan areas. Call us today at (847)244-1436 for a consultation.