Q: How long does it take for a slip and fall case?
I fell down my apartment stairs and ruptured my tendon and now I've suing my apartment complex for over a year. Does it really take this long for a case like this?
A:
You have a significant injury and hopefully have a member of the Ill trial lawyers assn representing you.
You have to show the stairs were the cause of your fall, not your tripping. As you lived there there's an issue of contributory fault--that you knew of the problem and didn't avoid it.
Finally, if you are representing yourself you have probably made statements that aren't helpful.
Tendon injuries can happen from other activities, so for sure taking a year, or three is normal.
A: It depends, but you should absolutely be represented by an attorney if you are not represented already. You will not be taken seriously until you are represented, so you should contact an attorney immediately. In addition, many of us offer free consultations and will represent you on a contingent basis, so it will not cost you anything out of pocket for legal representation and a knowledgeable attorney will almost certainly add value to your case that far exceeds his or her fees.
A: The length of a case from filing to final disposition depends on the Illinois venue (the county where the case has been filed) and the size of the court's docket. However, most cases even in a crowded court docket like Cook County depend on the lawyers and how they handle the various court imposed deadlines. Some lawyers may be disposed to delay cases while others are eager to push the case to its satisfactory finish. Encourage your lawyer to push harder to get the case moving in the direction of trial.
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