The majority of sidewalks in the U.S. are owned by the government, usually at the town or city level. Because the city is the property owner, they are responsible for maintenance to keep the walkways in safe condition. Most cities conduct annual inspections of these areas and should catch any cracks or raised areas that could be hazardous.When a city fails to keep their property safe and you suffer a slip-and-fall accident, they are liable for your injuries. However, before your claim is recognized as valid, there are some circumstances you must consider. The main factor in Illinois with regard to sidewalk defects is the “de minimis rule” where the defect that caused the fall must be at least 1.5 inches to maintain a lawsuit.Another major factor in the validity of a slip-and-fall case with city sidewalks is verifying that the city was aware the hazard was present and neglected to remedy the situation. Testimony from neighbors living/working near the scene of the hazard is the most helpful type of evidence, as they can usually verify how long the hazard was there. In some cases, they may be able to testify that the city had inspected the sidewalks and failed to remedy the hazard.If you are filing a personal injury claim against a city in Illinois you have a 1 year statute of limitations before your claim becomes invalid. There are many other factors that must be considered regarding the validity of your slip-and-fall accident claim and our article gives some further details of this sometimes difficult process. Filing a claim against a government entity can be a difficult process. Since most insurance companies try to understate your settlement offer, or even deny your claim outright, many slip-and-fall accident claims must go to trial for an appropriate settlement. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080