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Overview

Pretzel & Stouffer aggressively represents clients in premises and general liability matters. We do this because our attorneys understand that these types of claims not only threaten a client’s day-to-day operations but can cause serious damage to business reputation.

Businesses, property owners, heavy manufacturers, contractors, local government entities and risk management entities regularly retain Pretzel & Stouffer to handle their complex premises and general liability matters. Our niche premises liability practice draws routine and repeated engagements for incidents arising from snow or ice removal, construction and demolition activities as well as hidden defects.

As an elite trial firm, we are savvy inside the courtroom. Our multifaceted practice results in a truly skilled and comprehensive representation, from the inception of a lawsuit to its final resolution.

Our proficiency in premises and general liability litigation extends well beyond the courtroom. We regularly counsel clients on risk management practices, as we believe that avoiding a claim is more valuable than successfully litigating one. Our in-depth knowledge of Illinois state and local municipal law and codes makes us particularly effective at advising our clients on risk prevention in premises and general liability matters.

We have handled a wide array of premises and general liability issues, including construction and demolition activities, slip and falls, Dram Shop Act cases, Illinois Liquor Control Act cases, snow and ice removals, and injuries involving elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks. While this short list does not encompass the sum of our attorneys’ experiences, it confirms that we have the skills and experience to effectively handle any claim, case or issue involving premises or general liability.

Our extensive experience and commitment to providing excellent service for our premises and general liability clients is the driving force behind this successful practice group.

Related News & Results

Bennett Hosts Interactive Webinar Regarding Tort Liability for Drowning

  Shareholder, David Bennett, recently hosted an interactive webinar titled, Tort Liability for Drowning: Wrongful Death, Personal Injury, Defenses.  David taught strategies to defend drowning and swimming injury cases.  His co-faculty member for this 90 minute webinar was plaintiff’s attorney Douglas J. McCarron, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, Corel Gables, Florida.  Access the course ...

November 2019 | Firm News

Motion for Summary Judgment won in Will County Slip and Fall Lawsuit

  Pretzel & Stouffer partner, Pat Healy, recently obtained summary judgment in a lawsuit in Will County involving an alleged slip-and-fall accident at a grocery store. The claimant allegedly sustained a fractured ankle which was repaired surgically with instrumentation. Pat represented a company who allegedly failed to perform snow and ice removal services on the ...

August 2019

Draths and Healy Expose Fraudulent Identity Scheme in $10 million Personal Injury Case

  Faced with a $10 million demand and a narrow window before trial in a multi-plaintiff personal injury case, Pretzel & Stouffer partners, Tom Draths and Pat Healy, were called on to defend their clients on short notice. Tom and Pat got to work immediately, identifying inconsistencies in plaintiffs’ theories and red-flags in their backgrounds. ...

August 2019

Pretzel & Stouffer Attorneys Obtain Summary Judgment for Premises Owner

Stephen Veltman and Kelly Kono recently obtained summary judgment in a matter involving a slip and fall accident on a wet substance in the lobby of an office building during inclement winter weather that the plaintiff claimed resulted in a substantial ankle injury which required two surgeries. Steve and Kelly argued that the plaintiff could ...

July 2019

Pretzel & Stouffer Attorneys Obtain Summary Judgment in Cell Phone Tower Case

Richard Waris, Tom Draths, and Jack Lonquist, recently achieved a victory on behalf of a communication infrastructure provider in a federal lawsuit alleging that the defendant-tower owner owed a duty to provide fall protection equipment and supervision to a worker. The plaintiff allegedly sustained life-changing injuries after falling while performing equipment repairs on a cellular ...

July 2019

Amputation of Plaintiff’s Dominant Arm Nets Zero in Cook County Motion for Summary Judgment Ruling

Edward B. Ruff, III and Suzanne M. Crowley obtained summary judgment for their client in a negligence action where the plaintiff suffered a dominant mid-arm amputation while using a lathe. Plaintiff was a temporary employee assigned to the defendant’s facility by a staffing agency. Pretzel & Stouffer argued the defendant was immune from liability because the plaintiff was ...

January 2018 | Firm News

Summary Judgment Victory on Behalf of Bar Owner

Thomas V.P. Draths and Quinn P. Donnelly secured summary judgment for a bar owner in a negligence claim filed in Cook County arising from an altercation taking place in the facility. The plaintiff claimed that the bar owner was negligent in providing adequate security and inappropriately responding to the altercation. Mr. Draths and Mr. Donnelly showed through ...

September 2017 | Firm News