Can You Sue Your Neighbor if Their Negligence Caused You To Suffer an Injury on Your Own Property?

 Posted on April 23, 2026 in Personal Injury

Who’s responsible for injuries someone else caused on your property? Take the example of a leaking sprinkler. They are common enough that we may not even give them a second thought, but they can actually pose real safety risks. Even if they’re not on your property, they can create hazards that directly affect you, including slip and fall risks from water pooling on sidewalks or flooding basements, for example. 

There are many other situations in which a neighbor’s negligence may have direct impacts on your health. Badly-maintained fences or walls may fall over and injure someone. Old, dying trees may fall on houses in a storm, causing serious injuries and property damage. If you or someone in your family was hurt because of a neighbor’s negligence in 2026, our Rolling Meadows personal injury attorneys can help you figure out who should be held responsible for your losses.

Are Homeowners Responsible for Injuries Caused by Negligence?

Homeowners have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for people who enter it, per 740 ILCS 130. Part of keeping their property safe includes addressing known hazards. If a neighbor chooses not to address a known issue on their property that has a direct impact on your health, they’re responsible for that impact. 

For example, if a homeowner knew a sprinkler system was leaking and didn't fix it, or didn't warn guests about the wet conditions it created, they can be held liable for injuries that result. These might include:

• Slip and fall accidents on wet driveways or walkways

• Injuries caused by water damage that weakened a structure or surface

• Flooding that made indoor areas unsafe

Liability doesn’t always stop at homeowners. Continuing the sprinkler example, if the homeowner had their system inspected recently and was told it was functioning correctly, it may help protect them from liability. If the leak was visible, ongoing, or previously reported and ignored, they’re more likely to be held liable.

When Is a Contractor Liable for Injuries in Illinois?

Illinois allows negligence claims against contractors when their work falls below the "accepted standard of care" for their profession. 

This type of claim can be especially strong when:

• A contractor recently completed work on a home, and the homeowner had no reason to know a defect existed.

• A professional inspection confirms that a contractor’s work didn't meet code or industry standards.

• A contractor ignored or dismissed complaints about work they recently completed.

Illinois also allows claims against contractors based on "implied warranty of habitability principles." Work that harms the health of the people living in the home or a nearby house may qualify as this kind of claim.

Can Both a Homeowner and Contractor Share Fault for a Negligence-Induced Injury?

Multiple parties can be liable for injuries in Illinois. For example, if a contractor's faulty sprinkler installation caused a leak, but the homeowner noticed the problem and didn't address it before a guest was hurt, fault might be allocated to both of them. The injured person could recover from both parties in this case.

What Damages Can an Injured Person Recover?

The actual dollar amount of compensation available to someone depends on whether the homeowner, the contractor, or both are found to have had fault. It varies from case to case. It also depends on whether the individual themself had any fault in the accident.  As long as the injured person is not more than 50 percent responsible for their own injury, they can still recover damages in Illinois.

In a premises liability case, recoverable damages can include:

• Medical expenses, both current and future

• Lost income if the injury affected the ability to work

• Pain and suffering

• Costs related to ongoing rehabilitation or care

If you’re interested in recovering compensation, you should speak to an experienced attorney. We will investigate the incident to adequately value your claim and help you avoid an unfairly low insurance payout.

Call Our Schaumburg, IL Premises Liability Attorneys Today

If you’ve been injured because of a neighbor’s negligence, we can help. At Newland & Newland, LLP, our Rolling Meadows personal injury lawyers are local. We value our clients and communities and bring many decades of combined experience to every case. We’ve secured millions of dollars in successful verdicts for clients in need of compensation after terrible injuries. Contact us at 847-797-8000 today to schedule your free consultation.