Severe weather in Missouri and Illinois can create dangerous property conditions, including falling trees, broken limbs, and structural damage. While not every storm-related injury creates legal liability, property owners may be responsible when hazards were known and not addressed.

For example, liability may arise if a property owner ignored a visibly dead or unstable tree that later falls and causes injury. Similarly, failure to maintain structures, secure loose debris, or address known risks may contribute to preventable harm.

Storm-related injury cases often focus on whether the condition was foreseeable rather than the severity of the weather itself. Insurance companies frequently argue that storms are “acts of God,” but that defense does not always apply when preventable hazards exist.

These cases can involve injuries occurring on sidewalks, in parking lots, or inside buildings where falling debris or structural failure causes harm. Documentation of prior complaints, maintenance history, and property inspections can become important evidence.

Because weather events can quickly alter or destroy physical evidence, early investigation is often critical in these claims.
Gunn | Slater represents clients across Missouri and Illinois in premises liability and serious injury cases involving unsafe property conditions.