The Merchandise Mart in Chicago is a shopper’s paradise. It is located entirely indoors. Consequently, its 25 floors might tempt you to refer to it as a skyscraper rather than a mall. It includes showrooms, offices, event spaces, and dozens of retail shops. Since it hosts around 10 million visitors a year, it’s hard to imagine an injury rate of zero. And indeed, injuries at the Merchandise Mart are common, even though the vast majority of shoppers pass through safely.
If you are one of the unlucky few who have suffered an injury at the Merchandise Mart, understanding your legal options is critical. Whether your injury was caused by a negligent vendor, a hazardous escalator, or the intentional misbehavior of another visitor, you should consult a personal injury lawyer because you may qualify to file a personal injury claim. The total amount of your claim could be worth more than simple reimbursement for your medical bills.
Who is Responsible for My Injury at the Merchandise Mart?
You can’t file a claim until you know who to file it against. Following is a list of potential defendants in a personal injury claim arising from an injury at the Merchandise Mart.
- The property management company that manages the mart: It is responsible for maintaining safe conditions. If it allows dangerous conditions to develop or persist, such as slippery floors or broken escalators, it could bear liability if one of these conditions caused your injury.
- The building owner: Ownership of a building can generate liability under premises liability laws if the owner fails to ensure safe conditions for guests or visitors, or to undertake adequate safety measures.
- Maintenance and cleaning contractors: Many large buildings outsource cleaning, security, and maintenance to third-party contractors. If you got hurt, for example, on a poorly maintained escalator, the maintenance and safety contractors might bear liability for your injuries.
- Retail and showroom tenants: If you suffered your injury inside of a showroom (the Knoll showroom, Holly Hunt, or Kohlet, for example) or a retail outlet, the retail tenant might bear liability. For example, if you slipped inside a shop due to an obstruction, the tenant could be liable for failing to ensure customer safety. Retail tenants could cause injury through defective products, unsafe displays, or the negligent acts of their employees.
- Equipment manufacturers: Suppose you suffered a broken leg from a malfunctioning escalator. The liable party might be the company responsible for maintaining the escalator. Alternatively, it might be the manufacturer of the escalator. That might give you a product liability claim against any party within the escalator’s distribution.
- Security firms: Were you injured due to improper crowd control arising from negligent behavior by security staff? Were you ‘mugged’ in a parking structure due to inadequate security staff? This might shift liability to a security firm hired as a contractor by the Merchandise Mart.
Since each case is unique, your lawyer will need to investigate the incident thoroughly. You might find that you are able to file a claim against more than one defendant.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident at the Merchandise Mart?
If you’ve been injured in an accident that you believe was someone else’s fault, understanding your legal options is crucial. Determining if you have a valid claim, identifying the appropriate party to hold responsible, and assessing the value of your potential compensation are all essential steps in seeking justice. This process can be complex and overwhelming, particularly when dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures.
A knowledgeable Chicago personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference, offering guidance and advocating on your behalf every step of the way. An experienced attorney will:
- Investigate your accident to determine fault
- Gather evidence supporting your claims
- Work to minimize the fault attributed to you
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Bring your case to trial, if necessary
Navigating a personal injury claim can be challenging, but a skilled lawyer can provide the support and expertise you need to pursue fair compensation.
How Much Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Don’t worry about legal fees. Under the contingency fee system, you only pay legal fees if you win. Even then, the amount you win will amount to about 30% to 40% of your total compensation. This system puts you and your lawyer on the same side–the more money you make, the more money they make.
Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer for Help After Your Accident
Understanding your legal options after an injury is critical. You might be facing financial as well as personal losses. If you have been injured at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation and let us help you get your life back on track.
Contact the Chicago Personal Injury Law Firm of Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and its surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 726-1616
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 726-1616
