Quick answer
In Illinois, the deadline that generally applies to slip & fall / premises claims is 2 years from the date of injury, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Certain circumstances can pause or extend this window. This is general legal information, not a personal deadline determination for your situation.
Illinois
Slip & Fall / Premises
General statute of limitations
In Illinois, a slip & fall / premises claim must generally be filed within 2 years of the date of injury. Filing after this window typically bars the claim permanently.
Governing statute: 735 ILCS 5/13-202
What starts the clock, and tolling exceptions
Clock typically starts
Date of injury or incident
The general rule is that the SOL begins running on the date the injury occurred. Some states apply a discovery rule if the injury was not immediately apparent.
Government defendants
Notice of claim may be required
If your claim is against a government entity (a city, county, state agency, or public employee), most states require a separate notice of claim within 30 to 180 days. Missing this notice deadline can bar your claim entirely, independent of the SOL.
Tolling: when the clock may pause
Claims against government entities (public sidewalks, government buildings) often require a separate notice of claim within 30–180 days. The general SOL applies to private property defendants. Minor claimants typically have additional time.
Filing deadlines by claim type in Illinois
What cases like this have ranged for
Illustrative · national · not case-specific
$12,000 – $200,000+
Slip and fall claims turn heavily on notice of the hazard and documented harm.
Educational information only: not legal advice
This result reflects the general statutory period for slip & fall / premises claims in Illinois based on publicly available statutes. Your actual deadline may differ based on the specific facts of your case, applicable tolling rules, discovery rule application, government defendant requirements, and other circumstances. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Caseworth makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Consult a licensed attorney in Illinois before making any decisions about your claim.
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What is the statute of limitations for a slip & fall / premises claim in Illinois?
In Illinois, the general statute of limitations for slip & fall / premises claims is 2 years under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. This is general educational information; the deadline that applies to matters like yours may differ based on the specific facts of the case. Consult a licensed attorney in Illinois to confirm the deadline for your situation.
What starts the clock on the Illinois slip & fall / premises deadline?
The general rule is that the SOL begins running on the date the injury occurred. Some states apply a discovery rule if the injury was not immediately apparent.
Are there tolling exceptions in Illinois?
Yes. Claims against government entities (public sidewalks, government buildings) often require a separate notice of claim within 30–180 days. The general SOL applies to private property defendants. Minor claimants typically have additional time. Tolling rules vary by state and case type, so it is worth confirming with a licensed attorney in Illinois whether an exception applies to matters like yours.
What have cases like this ranged for?
Nationally, cases like this have historically ranged $12,000 – $200,000+ (illustrative, not specific to Illinois or to any individual case). Slip and fall claims turn heavily on notice of the hazard and documented harm. See the Settlement Data & Methodology hub for how these ranges are compiled.