When you consider accidents where the Chicago Transit Authority is involved, you tend to think of incidents like bus crashes, people being hit by trains, or passengers falling down while moving around, entering, or exiting buses or trains. But there’s another type of accident that falls under this classification: those that occur outside vehicles on property which is owned by the CTA.
Many of the incidents in this category include slip-and-fall accidents in areas like:
- a train platform or walkway
- on the stairs leading up to a train platform
- on a restroom floor at a train or bus station
- in a spilled substance on a platform, walkway, or bus stop
- near railing on a platform or at a bus stop which gives way
- on a bus stop seat or bench that gives way
- places on CTA property that are under construction
- places with poor lighting
There’s one major difference between slip-and-fall accidents on CTA property and those that occur elsewhere. Whenever you are making a claim against the CTA, you must do so within one year of the date of the incident. With other types of accidents, the statute of limitations is usually two years.
People who are injured in a slip-and-fall accident on CTA property may be eligible to collect reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages from missed time at work, and possibly even monetary damages for pain and suffering as part of a personal injury lawsuit against the agency. However, they would need to prove that the accident was caused by the negligence of the CTA or its employees in order for the lawsuit to be successful.
If you are hurt on CTA property as a result of this type of accident, the first thing you should do is to seek medical attention. If possible, you should also take photos of the area where you fell or the accident occurred to document the conditions that were in place when you were injured. Also, try to find witnesses who can corroborate what happened to you.
Finally, contact a qualified CTA accident attorney to see about what action to take against the agency. Cases against the CTA are usually quite technical and must meet certain deadlines and standards; trying to navigate this bureaucracy without the aid of an experienced lawyer.