As winter approaches, you take precautions. You need to ensure the pipes are wrapped to prevent them from freezing. Make sure you have good snow tires and a scraper for the windshield.

One of the most important ways to prepare for winter is to ensure you have a good pair of shoes that help you navigate icy sidewalks. Whether you’re just walking in from the parking lot at the Peru Mall or heading over to the Riverfront Bar & Grill for dinner, you want to make sure you don’t take a fall.

Unfortunately, winter is not the only time you’ve got to be careful when walking on sidewalks and across parking lots. You need to be cautious anytime you are walking anywhere outside the house. A trip on a poorly maintained sidewalk can lead to serious injury and significant financial burdens.

You might think that type of accident is entirely your fault. However, the property owner, who left the sidewalk in disrepair, could be held liable.

Suppose this is a scenario you’re currently involved in. In that case, you should consult with a qualified pedestrian accident lawyer in Peru, such as the team at Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP. We have helped many clients hold landlords, property management companies, and owners responsible for pedestrian accidents.

There is no better way to survive the hot summer temperatures than to spend the day lounging by or swimming in a pool. Before you ever dip into the water, you should be sure that you understand a few basic tenets of swimming safety.

Children should always be supervised by attentive adults, and swimming in areas with active lifeguards is typically safest. Backyard pools should be gated and locked so that children cannot easily access the water. Any children who are unable to swim should be with an adult, and you may also consider using U.S. Coast Guard-approved floats for kids who are especially young or struggling to learn how to swim.

Drowning and other swimming injuries are not always caused by insufficient swimming skills, though. Other dangerous hazards can cause serious or even fatal injuries to swimmers who are otherwise just trying to avoid the hot Illinois summer.

When asked what her secret to longevity is, famous TV adjudicator Judge Judy said, “To live a long life, don’t fall.” That is good advice, which is why many folks take proactive measures to “fall-proof” their homes. Unfortunately, once you leave home, you are at risk of a slip and fall accident due to possible negligence that can result in a wide range of injuries. For instance, how often do hip fractures happen after falls? The answer might shock you.

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 95% of hip fractures result from falls. The senior population is most vulnerable to these types of injuries. Sadly, the CDC also reports that “one-half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fracture never regain their former level of function.”

Summers are for fun, and if you have a backyard swimming pool, that fun level goes way up. Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, there are 4,000 unintentional drownings. That breaks down to 11 deaths per day, and a vast majority of those deaths occur in swimming pools. That is why many local and state legislators stepped in to enact measures that promote safety. Do backyard pools need to be enclosed in Illinois?

Renters insurance secures tenants’ families, assets, property, and futures. However, it’s estimated that less than 50 percent of tenants in Illinois have renters insurance. Because of this, a number of people run into legal problems every year when their property is damaged or when someone is hurt at their house or apartment.

If you rent in Illinois and do not have insurance, it’s important to understand what renters insurance covers and why it’s important to have the coverage in the event of an accident.

Dog bites are traumatic experiences that can cause significant injuries. When a dog bite occurs, many immediately think that the type of breed of the dog is responsible for the bite. While there may be some breeds that have higher bite rates, it’s important to remember that there isn’t one particular dangerous breed that everyone should avoid. There are many reasons why a dog may bite. If the dog feels threatened or provoked, it may be more likely to bite someone. Additionally, if an  owner does not have control of his/her dog, then a bite is more likely to happen.

Regardless of why a dog bite happens, the results can include injuries and hospital bills. If you’ve suffered an injury because of a dog bite, you can seek compensation for your losses. The experienced lawyers from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP may be able to help you with your dog bite claim.