Negligence in Illinois
Last checked Aug 15, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
Elements
1
Duty
The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of reasonable care in the circumstances.
2
Breach
The defendant failed to meet that standard, they did something a reasonably careful person would not, or failed to do something they would.
3
Causation
The breach was a factual and legal (proximate) cause of the harm. Foreseeability matters.
4
Damages
The plaintiff suffered actual harm, medical bills, lost wages, pain, property loss.
Burden of proof
Preponderance of the evidence, more likely than not.
A Illinois fact pattern
Negligence in illinois.
Statute of limitations
2 years
735 ILCS 5/13-202
From when the cause of action accrued (usually the injury).
- A local public entity is often one year, not two (745 ILCS 10/8-101). That is the City-of-Chicago trap.