You may have the right to compensation if you slipped and fell on someone else’s property. However, winning these cases is an uphill battle. You’ll face ruthless landlords, insurance companies with overwhelming resources, and strict legal standards. Without legal support, your chances of recovering the money you need are low.
The Mastromarco Firm understands the pressures you face and can represent you in your fight for justice. Our Michigan slip-and-fall lawyers have fought for people like you for over 20 years and won significant compensation for our clients. We’ll handle the legal work so you can focus on your medical treatments and preparing for your life’s next chapter. Time is of the essence in these cases, so call now or complete our contact form to speak with our team.
What Does a Slip-and-Fall Attorney Do?
Slip-and-fall attorneys protect your rights by having every aspect of your legal claim and using their knowledge to build compelling cases. Some specific steps our slip-and-fall lawyers can take on your behalf include:
- Investigating the Scene and Gathering Evidence – We can visit where you fell, take photographs, collect any available video footage, and document hazardous conditions that may have caused the accident. We can also identify who owns or controls the property and determine whether more than one party may be liable.
- Collecting Witness Statements and Records – We’ll interview witnesses who saw your fall or know about the hazard and use their testimony to support your claim. We can also obtain maintenance logs, inspection reports, and cleaning schedules to show that the property owner failed to address dangerous conditions.
- Documenting Your Injuries and Financial Losses – We can compile your medical records, treatment plans, bills, and proof of lost wages to demonstrate the full impact of your injuries. This step includes working with your doctors and other experts to explain the severity and any lasting effects of your condition.
- Working with Safety and Liability Experts – We’ll bring in specialists who can explain how the hazard caused your fall, whether the property owner violated safety standards, and what they should have done to prevent it.
- Dealing with Insurance Companies and Pursuing Compensation – Lastly, we can handle all insurer communications, negotiate for the maximum settlement possible, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit and present your case in court to secure fair compensation.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Some frequent causes of Saginaw slip-and-falls include:
- Wet or Slippery Floors – Spills, tracked-in rain or snow, freshly mopped surfaces without warning signs, and leaks from plumbing or appliances can cause falls if property owners or their staff don’t promptly clean or mark them.
- Uneven or Damaged Walking Surfaces – Cracked sidewalks, loose floorboards, worn carpeting, parking lot potholes, and abrupt floor level changes can cause people to trip.
- Poor Lighting – Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, parking areas, or entryways can make it difficult for visitors to see hazards and safely navigate the space.
- Obstructed Walkways – Boxes, cords, equipment, or other objects left in walkways can block passageways and cause trips or falls if they’re not removed or secured.
- Unsafe Stairways and Ramps – Broken handrails, uneven steps, loose treads, and slippery ramp surfaces can cause severe falls when property owners do not follow safety codes.
- Neglected Outdoor Hazards – Ice, snow, wet leaves, or debris on sidewalks, steps, and entryways can become dangerous if property owners don’t regularly clear and treat them to prevent falls.
Michigan Premises Liability Laws
Slip-and-fall accidents fall under Michigan’s premises liability laws. These laws require property owners to maintain a safe space for visitors, and owners can be liable if they don’t meet their legal obligations. However, the level of care a property owner (and potentially their staff) owes a visitor depends on the visitor’s status. There are three types of visitors under Michigan’s premises liability laws:
- Invitees – Invitees are people invited onto a property for the owner’s benefit, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, which includes regularly inspecting the premises, fixing known hazards, and warning of dangers that may not be immediately obvious.
- Licensees – A licensee is a visitor allowed on a property for their own purposes, such as a social guest at a private home. Owners must warn licensees about known dangers that are not obvious, but they are not required to inspect the property for hidden hazards.
- Trespassers – Trespassers are anyone who enters a property without permission. Owners generally have no duty to make the property safe for trespassers, but they cannot willfully injure unauthorized guests. Furthermore, property owners may need to address hazards likely to attract children under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. This legal principle states that property owners can be liable for injuries to trespassing children in some circumstances because children might not know or understand that they’re breaking the law.
What to Do if You Slip and Fall on Someone Else’s Property
Swift action after a slip-and-fall is essential for giving yourself the best chance of winning a personal injury claim. Here’s what to do to protect your health and legal rights:
- Get Medical Attention Right Away – See a doctor to diagnose and treat your injuries, even if symptoms initially seem minor. Attend all follow-up appointments and follow all medical advice to support your recovery and your potential claim. You don’t want to give the insurers any evidence that your injuries aren’t serious.
- Write Down What Happened – Record where, when, and how the fall occurred while your memory is fresh. You can refer to these notes later to maintain a consistent account of what happened.
- Keep Evidence from the Accident – Save the clothes and shoes you were wearing as they can help demonstrate the dangerous conditions on the property. Similarly, preserve any photographs or videos you took at the scene.
- Collect Witness Information – If possible, contact anyone who saw the fall or the conditions that caused it. Their testimony can support your claim by explaining the dangerous conditions where you fell.
- Save Records of Expenses and Losses – Keep your medical bills, receipts, and proof of missed work or lost income. These documents help demonstrate the accident’s physical and financial toll.
- Avoid Public Statements About the Accident – Refrain from posting about what happened on social media, as insurers may use your posts or photos against you.
- Contact a Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney – The sooner you hire a lawyer, the greater your chances of recovering fair compensation. Your attorney can gather crucial evidence before it deteriorates and handle settlement negotiations.
Compensation in Slip-and-Fall Claims
Don’t make the mistake of settling for low compensation because you didn’t account for all your eligible losses. An experienced slip-and-fall attorney can make sure your claim includes all the harm you’ve suffered, meaning you can seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The cost to repair or replace your damaged property
Deadline to File a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit in Michigan
Under Michigan law, you must file a slip-and-fall lawsuit within three years of the accident if you hope to pursue financial recovery. However, it’s in your best interest to speak to an attorney immediately. Critical evidence might fade if you wait too long to talk to a lawyer, preventing you from recovering fair compensation.
Contact Our Saginaw Slip-and-Fall Attorneys
The Mastromarco Firm is committed to helping accident victims find justice and holding negligent property owners accountable. Call now or complete our contact form to discuss your case with our team.