Common Injuries at the Fox Valley Mall

The Fox Valley Mall in Aurora is a major shopping and entertainment destination serving communities throughout the western suburbs of Chicago. With shoppers, employees, families, restaurant customers, children, and other visitors moving through stores, common areas, entrances, parking areas, and surrounding roads, accidents can happen in many different ways.

A serious injury at a shopping mall can result from a slip or trip, a fall on stairs or an escalator, a collision in a parking lot, a falling object, a defective condition, or another hazard. In some cases, responsibility may rest with a property owner or occupier. In others, a retailer, maintenance contractor, security company, driver, manufacturer, or another party may potentially be liable.

There are no publicly available statistics showing exactly how many people are injured at Fox Valley Mall each year. However, broader injury and crash statistics demonstrate how frequently falls and traffic-related incidents cause serious injuries. Understanding the common types of accidents, and what evidence may be important afterward, can help injured visitors protect their rights.

Slip and Fall Injuries at Fox Valley Mall

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of injuries that can occur at shopping centers. A person walking through a store or common area may encounter spilled beverages, recently cleaned floors, rainwater, snow, ice, food, merchandise, or another slippery substance.

Falls can also occur because of physical conditions such as cracked flooring, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, damaged mats, or changes in elevation. The consequences can be significant. A person who slips and falls may suffer a wrist fracture while attempting to break the fall, a broken ankle or leg, a shoulder injury, a spinal injury, or a head injury.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has cited an estimate of 553,297 medically treated injuries annually from slips and falls associated with flooring. The CPSC has also reported that older adults experience particularly high rates of slip injuries.

Common Injuries From Mall Falls

The type and severity of an injury will depend on how the person falls, the surface involved, the person’s age and physical condition, and other circumstances. Common injuries include:

• Broken wrists and arms;
• Ankle and leg fractures;
• Knee injuries;
• Torn ligaments and tendons;
• Shoulder injuries;
• Back and neck injuries;
• Herniated or bulging discs;
• Concussions;
• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Facial injuries;
• Dental injuries; and
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.

A fall does not have to look dramatic to produce a serious injury. Someone who falls from a standing position can suffer a fracture or traumatic brain injury, particularly when the head strikes a hard floor.

Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries

A person who falls at Fox Valley Mall may strike their head on tile, concrete, a display, a railing, a counter, or another object. A concussion is one type of traumatic brain injury. Some symptoms can appear immediately, while others may become more apparent later. Potential symptoms include:

• Headaches;
• Dizziness;
• Confusion;
• Nausea;
• Sensitivity to light or sound;
• Problems with concentration;
• Memory difficulties;
• Fatigue; and
• Changes in mood or behavior.

Anyone who strikes their head in an accident should take symptoms seriously and obtain appropriate medical evaluation. The fact that a person initially appears to be fine does not necessarily establish that no significant injury occurred.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures are another common consequence of falls and collisions. When a person falls forward, they may instinctively extend their arms to protect themselves. This can result in fractures of the wrist, forearm, elbow, or shoulder. A twisting fall may cause injuries to the knee or ankle. Some fractures require surgery, hardware, physical therapy, and months of rehabilitation.

The long-term consequences can include reduced range of motion, chronic pain, weakness, arthritis, and an inability to return to previous employment or recreational activities.

Stairway and Escalator Accidents

Shopping malls contain stairs, escalators, elevators, ramps, and other means of moving between floors. These areas can create unique risks when equipment is defective or a dangerous condition is not properly addressed. A stairway accident could involve:

• A broken or uneven step;
• A slippery surface;
• Inadequate lighting;
• A defective or missing handrail;
• An obstruction;
• An improperly maintained stairway; or
• Another dangerous condition.

Escalator accidents can involve falls, sudden stops, mechanical problems, entrapment, or other hazards. Determining responsibility may require examining inspection and maintenance records. Depending on the circumstances, multiple companies or entities may have responsibilities relating to the equipment.

Parking Lot and Pedestrian Accidents

The risk of injury does not end when a shopper leaves the mall building. Parking lots and surrounding roads contain vehicles, pedestrians, delivery trucks, bicycles, electric scooters, and other users sharing limited space.

A pedestrian may be struck while walking through a parking lot, crossing an access road, or traveling near a driveway. Drivers may fail to yield, back out of parking spaces without seeing pedestrians, turn improperly, become distracted, or fail to maintain a proper lookout.

Illinois’ 2024 crash data show the broader scope of traffic-related injuries. IDOT reported 303,913 motor-vehicle crashes in Illinois in 2024, including 63,109 injury crashes. Crashes involving pedestrians accounted for 7% of all injury crashes.

Injuries From Vehicle-Pedestrian Collisions

A pedestrian struck by a vehicle can sustain devastating injuries because there is little physical protection between the person’s body and the vehicle. Potential injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Skull fractures;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Broken legs and hips;
• Pelvic fractures;
• Internal bleeding;
• Organ damage;
• Shoulder and arm injuries;
• Severe road rash; and
• Fatal injuries.

The severity of an injury can depend on vehicle speed, the direction of impact, the person’s position, and whether the pedestrian is thrown onto the pavement or struck by another vehicle. After a pedestrian accident, preserving evidence is particularly important. Surveillance cameras from businesses and parking facilities may capture the collision, but footage can be overwritten or deleted if it is not preserved.

Bicycle and Electric Scooter Accidents

People traveling to or around Fox Valley Mall may also use bicycles and electric scooters. A collision involving a bicycle or electric scooter can result in serious injuries even when the rider is traveling at relatively modest speeds. Riders generally lack the protection provided by a vehicle’s passenger compartment.

Potential injuries include:

• Broken bones;
• Shoulder injuries;
• Road rash;
• Concussions;
• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Spinal injuries;
• Internal injuries; and
• Facial trauma.

Whether a driver, rider, property owner, municipality, manufacturer, or another party may be responsible depends on the specific facts.

Falling Merchandise and Objects

A shopper can also be injured by merchandise or another object that falls from a shelf, display, rack, ceiling, or other location. Children can be particularly vulnerable to falling objects and unstable displays. The CPSC has repeatedly studied injuries associated with unstable products and tip-over incidents involving consumer products. A falling object can cause:

• Head injuries;
• Facial injuries;
• Neck injuries;
• Shoulder injuries;
• Broken bones;
• Cuts and lacerations; and
• Serious internal injuries.

Evidence concerning how the object was stored, displayed, secured, inspected, and maintained can be important in determining responsibility.

What Is Premises Liability in Illinois?

Illinois’ Premises Liability Act governs the duty owed by property owners and occupiers to people who enter their property. The statute provides that the duty owed to entrants is generally one of reasonable care under the circumstances concerning the condition of the premises and acts or omissions occurring on the property. That does not mean that a property owner is automatically responsible for every accident. A premises-liability case may involve questions such as:

• Was there a dangerous condition?
• Who controlled the area?
• Did the defendant know about the condition?
• How long had the condition existed?
• Should the condition reasonably have been discovered?
• Was the condition repaired?
• Was a warning provided?
• Did the condition cause the accident?
• Did the injured person contribute to the accident?

These questions can require an investigation into facts that are not immediately apparent at the accident scene.

Evidence Can Be Critical After a Mall Accident

One of the biggest challenges following an accident is that evidence can disappear. A spilled liquid can be cleaned. A broken floor tile can be replaced. A defective escalator can be repaired. Merchandise can be moved. Surveillance footage can be overwritten. For that reason, injured visitors should consider documenting the scene as soon as possible. Important evidence may include:

• Photographs of the dangerous condition;
• Video of the accident scene;
• Surveillance footage;
• Witness statements;
• Incident reports;
• Employee statements;
• Inspection records;
• Maintenance records;
• Cleaning schedules;
• Prior complaints;
• Medical records;
• Photographs of injuries; and
• Documentation of lost wages.

If a serious injury occurred, an attorney may also investigate whether other people previously reported the same hazard.

What Should You Do After an Accident at Fox Valley Mall?

If you are injured while shopping or visiting Fox Valley Mall, taking certain steps can help protect important evidence. Consider:

• Seeking medical attention promptly;
• Reporting the accident;
• Photographing the scene;
• Photographing the condition that caused the accident;
• Getting names and contact information for witnesses;
• Keeping the clothing and shoes worn during a slip-and-fall;
• Keeping medical records and bills;
• Documenting missed work;
• Avoiding social-media posts about the accident;
• Preserving photographs and videos; and
• Speaking with an experienced Aurora personal injury attorney about your legal rights.

If a store or property representative asks you to provide a detailed recorded statement, you may want to consult an attorney before doing so.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may be able to seek compensation for losses associated with the accident. Potential damages may include:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Reduced earning capacity;
• Physical pain and suffering;
• Disfigurement;
• Disability;
• Emotional distress; and
• Other legally recoverable losses.

The amount and availability of damages depend on the evidence and applicable law.

“A serious injury can happen in seconds, but determining why the accident happened can take a much more thorough investigation. When someone is injured at a shopping center, we want to know what caused the hazard, who was responsible for addressing it, and whether important evidence was preserved. Those answers can make a significant difference in protecting an injured person’s rights.” — John J. Malm, Naperville slip and fall accident attorney

Frequently Asked Questions About Fox Valley Mall Accidents

What are the most common injuries at Fox Valley Mall?

Common injuries can include fractures, sprains, ligament injuries, back and neck injuries, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, cuts, bruises, and injuries caused by vehicle-pedestrian collisions.

Can I file a lawsuit after slipping and falling at Fox Valley Mall?

Potentially. A successful premises-liability claim generally requires evidence establishing the dangerous condition, the responsible party’s duty and conduct, causation, and damages. The circumstances of each accident are different.

What if I was injured in the Fox Valley Mall parking lot?

A parking-lot accident may involve a negligent driver, property owner or operator, maintenance contractor, or another party. The specific facts determine who may be legally responsible.

What if there was no warning sign?

The absence of a warning sign can be relevant, but it does not automatically establish liability. Other factors, including whether the responsible party knew or should have known about the hazard, may also matter.

How important are photographs after a slip-and-fall?

Photographs can be extremely important because conditions can change quickly. A spill may be cleaned or a damaged surface may be repaired after an accident.

Can security-camera footage help my case?

Yes. Surveillance footage may provide evidence about the accident, the condition that caused it, what happened immediately beforehand, and whether employees were aware of the condition.

What if I did not feel injured immediately?

Some injuries do not produce obvious symptoms immediately. Anyone involved in a significant accident should consider obtaining appropriate medical evaluation and following medical advice.

Should I contact a lawyer after a mall accident?

If you suffered significant injuries, required medical treatment, missed work, or believe another party’s negligence caused the accident, consulting a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and preserve important evidence.

Contact the Award-Winning Aurora Injury Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates After a Fox Valley Mall Accident

An accident at Fox Valley Mall can turn an ordinary shopping trip into a stressful experience involving medical treatment, lost income, pain, and uncertainty about what to do next. Whether you suffered a slip and fall, stairway or escalator accident, falling-object injury, parking-lot collision, pedestrian accident, or another serious injury, determining who was responsible may require a detailed investigation.

John J. Malm & Associates represents injured people throughout the western suburbs and Illinois. If you or a loved one has been injured at Fox Valley Mall, contact our firm for a free consultation. We can investigate what happened, work to preserve surveillance and other evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue the compensation available under Illinois law.