Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of personal injury in the United States, and Michigan is no exception. In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall mishaps account for over 1 million emergency room visits annually across the country, making up about 12% of all total falls.
This statistic is concerning because slip and fall injuries can lead to serious, long-term health issues, including broken bones, head injuries, and back problems.
If you’ve been involved in a slip-and-fall accident in Michigan, understanding your legal rights and options is essential. Managing the legal process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with physical pain and financial stress.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is here to provide a clear, easy guide on finding the right Michigan slip and fall incident attorney, what to expect during the legal process, and how to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation.
How Will Our Top Michigan Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys Support You?
Facing a slip and fall injury can be traumatic and challenging without legal expertise. Michigan law on premises liability is complex, and proving fault can be difficult.
Hiring our experienced Michigan slip-and-fall accident attorney can significantly improve your chances of obtaining compensation.
Here’s why:
- Understanding Michigan Law: Premises liability laws in Michigan are unique. Our attorney will understand local statutes, case law, and how courts handle these cases. They will also know how to gather evidence to build a strong case.
- Proving Negligence: To win a slip and fall case, you must prove that the property owner or manager was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries. Our skilled Michigan slip and fall mishap law firm can help collect evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert testimony, to demonstrate that the property owner failed to maintain safe conditions.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies will often attempt to minimize payouts by claiming that the injured person was at fault or that the injuries were not serious. Our attorney can negotiate and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Maximizing Compensation: In addition to medical bills and lost wages, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and distress, emotional distress, and long-term disability. Our experienced attorney will know how to calculate the full value of your claim.
How Our Michigan Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm Can Determine the Major Pitfalls?
Slip and fall accidents can happen when you least expect them. While it’s normal to anticipate uneven ground on hiking trails around Lake Superior or other beautiful Michigan trails, you shouldn’t worry about hazards while walking through a grocery store aisle or a business parking lot.
Property owners across Michigan have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises, ensuring their properties are free from dangerous conditions that could cause injury. If you’ve sustained an injury due to a property owner’s negligence, our law firm is here to help.
As experienced premises liability lawyers, we understand how to handle slip and fall cases and hold negligent property owners accountable for the injuries they’ve suffered. We work tirelessly to build a strong case, collecting important evidence, speaking with witnesses, and proving the property owner’s responsibility for your accident.
Our attorneys have a 20-year proven track record of securing significant client settlements. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
With our expertise, you can focus on your recovery while we handle all legal aspects, from dealing with insurance companies to representing you in court.
Don’t let a slip-and-fall injury disrupt your life. Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Call us, fill out the online evaluation form, or start an online chat, and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
Explanation of Michigan’s Premises Liability Law
According to Michigan’s premises liability law, property owners have a legal duty to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. However, this duty varies depending on the type of visitor:
- Invitees: These people enter the property for the owner’s benefit, such as customers at a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and must take reasonable steps to ensure their safety.
- Licensees: Individuals who enter the property for their benefit, like social guests. Property owners must warn licensees of any known dangers but are not required to inspect the property for potential hazards.
- Trespassers: Property owners owe trespassers very little duty of care except to avoid willful or wanton injury.
To succeed in a slip and fall claim, you’ll need to show that the property owner failed to fulfill their duty of care and that this failure led to your injury.
The Basic Elements of Slip and Fall Incident
Simply put, when someone suffers an injury after falling due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property, they may be entitled to seek compensation from the party responsible by filing a claim.
Premises liability, which holds property owners liable for accidents brought on by dangerous circumstances on their property, encompasses slip-and-fall cases. To succeed in a slip and fall claim, the injured party needs to establish these four key elements:
- The Property Owner’s Duty to Ensure Safety: In Michigan, property owners are legally required to maintain their premises reasonably safe, ensuring that no dangerous hazards are present.
- Breach of the Property Owner’s Responsibility: A breach occurs when a property owner neglects to fix or remove hazards, such as leaving wet floors unmarked, failing to repair broken steps, or allowing ice to accumulate on walkways.
- Establishing the Link Between Negligence and Injury: There must be a direct connection between the owner’s negligence and the injuries sustained. This could include slipping on a liquid spill, tripping over damaged flooring, or falling due to inadequate lighting.
- Demonstrating Significant Harm and Losses: The injured party must prove that the fall resulted in serious harm, such as injuries that required medical attention, lost wages due to time off work, or emotional pain and suffering. Minor bumps or bruises without substantial impact typically do not qualify for compensation.
Comparative Negligence in Michigan
Michigan follows a “comparative negligence” rule, which means that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if the court finds that you were 20% responsible for your fall because you were distracted, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover any compensation.
This is why having a Michigan slip-and-fall accident attorney is required. They can argue on your behalf and work to minimize any claims that you were at fault.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Incident
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Michigan, it’s important to take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t feel seriously injured, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the Incident: Notify the property owner or manager about the accident immediately. If applicable, get a copy of the incident report.
- Gather Evidence: If you can, take photos of the scene, including any hazardous conditions contributing to your fall. Collect contact information from any witnesses.
- Keep Records: Document your medical treatments and receipts for expenses related to your injury, and track any missed workdays or lost income.
- Consult an Attorney: The sooner you speak with a Michigan slip and fall attorney, the better. They can help preserve evidence, handle communications with insurance companies, and guide you through the legal process.
What Compensation Can You Expect from a Slip and Fall Injury Claim?
When you suffer a slip and fall injury, the impact on your life can be overwhelming, from mounting medical bills to the emotional toll it takes. Our dedicated slip and fall attorneys are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
The compensation you may receive depends on the specifics of your accident, the severity of your injuries, and how those injuries have affected your life. In Michigan, compensation generally falls into the following categories:
1. Economic Damages
These are measurable financial losses that result directly from your accident. They include medical expenses, such as hospital bills, physical therapy, medication costs, and any future treatment you may require.
Additionally, if you’ve missed work due to your injuries or cannot return to your job, you can seek compensation for lost wages and any loss of earning capacity.
2. Non-Economic Damages
These damages cover the more intangible effects of your injury that don’t have a specific monetary value. They may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, or the impact your injuries have had on your relationships and overall well-being.
3. Punitive Damages
In rare cases where the property owner’s actions were reckless or malicious, you may be entitled to punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent against similar behavior in the future.
Our team is committed to fighting for every dollar you deserve, ensuring that your compensation reflects the full extent of your injuries and losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Michigan?
In Michigan, you typically have up to three years from the date of your slip and fall incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This timeframe, known as the statute of limitations, is strict, but certain exceptions might extend this deadline.
For instance, if the injured party is a minor, they may have until one year after their 18th birthday to initiate legal action.
While three years may seem like ample time, it’s crucial to act promptly after your accident. Evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, or dangerous conditions, may be lost or altered over time.
The sooner you engage an attorney, the better your chance of preserving crucial evidence that strengthens your case.
Moreover, building a solid claim can be a time-consuming process. Your attorney must conduct a thorough investigation, gather supporting documents, speak with witnesses, and accurately assess the full extent of your injuries and damages.
By contacting a lawyer early on, you ensure that your case is given the time and attention it needs to succeed.
Speak to Our Michigan Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers Today!
Slip and fall mishaps can have serious consequences, but with the right legal help, you can recover compensation for your injuries and move forward with your life. Hiring our experienced Michigan slip-and-fall accident attorney is the best way to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, don’t wait. Call the CEO Lawyer at (616) 612-2707 today for a free consultation with a Michigan slip-and-fall attorney and take the first step toward getting the help you need. We leverage our expertise, skills, and determination to secure the best outcomes possible.
