The Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot-long structure on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. It spans over 50 acres and hosts numerous events throughout the year, including fireworks displays and cruises.
While the Navy Pier is designed to be safe and follows a set of safety protocols, it is not uncommon for accidents to occur.
If there’s an accident on your visit there, you will have to collect evidence after the injury to prove your case.
Steps to take if you’ve been injured
Being injured in a public place can be scary and disorienting. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, stay calm and follow these steps:
1. Seek immediate medical attention
The first thing you should do is make sure you’re okay. Locate security personnel and ask for medical assistance. Having a certified professional examine you ensures that injuries are treated properly.
Some injuries become visible only after a certain period of time. Having a medical examination ensures that no injuries are missed. You may also suffer fractures or lacerations, which may become infected if not treated promptly.
If your injuries are severe, make sure you’re transported to the nearest hospital.
Having a medical professional examine you also gives you a record of your injuries, which will help you with your case.
2. Report the incident
Most private organizations have a procedure in place to record injuries that occur on the premises. This is to ensure that injuries are promptly treated and prevent any accidents from happening in the future.
Usually, there are security personnel stationed at regular intervals across the premises. There will be signs to guide you to the nearest security desk. You may have to report to a manager, undergo a checkup, and file an incident report.
An incident report typically includes personal details like name and ID, details of the incident, such as date and location, and a description of what happened. This serves as a record for all parties involved and may be used in legal proceedings.
3. Understand your rights
Premises liability holds private property owners responsible for any injuries people sustain on their property. Property owners across the US are required to maintain an acceptable level of safety for any visitors their property. Failure to do so can lead to them being fined and sued for negligence.
Injuries that are covered under this premises liability include:
- Slips and falls due to uneven surfaces or poorly lit areas
- Swimming pool accidents
- Falling objects
- Electrical shocks
- Inadequate security
- Malfunctioning equipment
You are entitled to compensation if you suffered an accident on the premises of a public or private place due to the owners' negligence. This compensation is meant to cover any medical expenses you had to bear due to the accident.
4. Consult a Lawyer
Compensation for injuries sustained in a public place falls under personal injury law. How this law is interpreted varies from state to state, and it has several limits and exceptions.
It is, therefore, recommended that you consult a lawyer. Lawyers specializing in personal injury law have extensive experience handling such cases and are well-equipped to fight for your rights.
Most law firms offer a free first consultation. Take advantage of this to talk to a lawyer and gain a proper understanding of your case – what your rights are, what the process is for filing a claim, how much that’s going to cost you, etc.
5. File a claim
With the help of your lawyer, you can file a claim against the parties responsible for your accident. How much compensation you can claim will depend on the specifics of your case.
Please be aware that there are deadlines for filing your claim, so you must be quick. Failing to do so may result in you losing your chance at claiming compensation.
Following these steps will help you navigate a distressing incident with more clarity and ensure that your rights are protected.
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