If you suffer injuries due to inadequate lighting on someone else’s property, you may be able to sue the owner under the legal doctrine of premises liability. Premises liability refers to situations in which a property owner or manager can be held liable for known or expected hazards that result in injury to visitors. However, to improve your chances of a successful property liability lawsuit, you and your legal team must gather various forms of evidence directly connecting your injury to the poor lighting.
What Is Inadequate Lighting?
Inadequate lighting occurs when a part of a property is so dimly lit that it is hard for visitors to see dangerous conditions. For example, you may trip and fall over an object on the floor that you did not see because of the poor lighting. Or you may slip and fall on an uneven surface obscured by shadows.
Common Places Where Poor Lighting Can Occur
Poor lighting can occur anywhere. However, the most common places where it occurs are those that are secluded or experience little traffic. Examples include:
- Parking garages, as they are often detached from main buildings and may not receive the same level of maintenance
- Sidewalks where tripping incidents occur due to a lack of outdoor lighting
- Stairwells, particularly in less frequented parts of buildings, where poor lighting can cause serious falls
- Hallways where poor lighting results in visitors tripping over clutter on the floor
Why Can a Dimly Lit Area Be a Legal Issue?
Dimly lit areas can pose legal issues, as they may hide property hazards that result in injuries to visitors. Owners have a legal responsibility to keep property visitors safe from harm that is not obvious. Poor lighting conditions can conceal these property hazards, making it difficult for visitors to be aware of their existence before being injured by them.
Types of Injuries Caused by Poor Lighting
Various injuries can result from incidents caused by poor lighting. These incidents can include victims slipping, tripping, and falling on unseen objects or knocking over objects that fall onto them. Some of the most common injuries caused by dimly lit areas are:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries
How Do I Know If I Can Sue?
The best way to know if you can sue for injuries sustained due to poor lighting is to contact an experienced premises liability lawyer. During your initial consultation with a lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we can review the details of your case, explain your legal options, and walk you through the next steps toward seeking compensation.
The team at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has recovered over $2.5 billion for our deserving clients, including more than 350 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more, as well as the highest compensatory verdict award to an individual plaintiff in Illinois history. Our team includes 20+ top litigators and 35+ supporting staff who are committed to aggressively using our resources and skills to fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help with your premises liability case.
