Detroit Slip and Fall Attorneys

A slip and fall accident can take anyone by surprise. Not only is the fall itself unexpected by nature, but the recovery afterward is also often shocking in its severity and scope. Thousands of people are severely hurt this way every year, some even fatally. 

Slip and fall accidents are a common type of premise liability claim. Anyone injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property in Michigan has legal rights that should not be minimized. Accident victims could be entitled to compensation for their injuries, losses, and expenses after a slip and fall.

An experienced premise liability attorney can help when you are facing the consequences of a fall accident. You will need to prove that the negligence of the property owner contributed to your fall. Although that can be tricky, Sommers Schwartz’s attorneys have done just this for clients eager to return to a semblance of normalcy. 

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents 

Property owners are required to maintain a safe environment for visitors. This standard applies to commercial properties and residential properties. It is more than common courtesy; it is the law. When the negligent or careless actions (or inaction) of an owner lead to your fall in some way, that owner can be held responsible. 

Some common causes of slip and fall accidents:

• Wet floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Loose steps or handrails
• Environmental conditions (such as snow and ice)
• Inadequate lighting
• Cracked or sunken sidewalks
• Spills
• Construction defects
• No warnings signs posted on known hazards 
• Unmarked construction areas

Anyone is vulnerable to a slip and fall. They can happen in the store, at someone’s home, in an outdoor setting, or at work. Some careers carry a higher risk of workplace slip and fall accidents. 

These include:

• Restaurant workers like servers and kitchen staff
• Construction workers
• Housekeepers and custodians
• Manufacturing and factory workers
• Manual laborers

Workers should be provided with training and equipment that will help protect them. Employers have additional responsibilities to keep their employees healthy and safe from injury while on the job.

Why Do I Need a Slip and Fall Attorney?

Often, property owners want to avoid taking responsibility for injuries sustained at their business or home. They are nervous about how a lawsuit will affect their business and livelihood. Sometimes they will do anything to obscure a slip and fall claim, which can be challenging to handle alone.

What is more, most injured people are not aware of the potential value of their claim or their rights under the law. The average person is not skilled in negotiating with an insurance company. Insurance companies and property owners use these facts to their advantage. 

Insurance companies employ many people whose job it is to help them pay out as little as possible. Often, they do not care that you have bills piling up or that you can no longer work full-time. Hiring a qualified premises liability lawyer levels the playing field. You can trust that, even if you have no experience dealing with insurance companies, we do. 

Premises liability claims are complicated on purpose. By making the process extremely difficult, companies hope that you will get frustrated and give up. The notion that the amount of work involved with pursuing a claim is not worth the potential payout is entirely false. Do not fall victim to it. An attorney will stand by you and fight for your best interests, not an insurance company’s bottom line. 

Michigan Slip and Fall Laws

Michigan law places the burden of proving negligence on the person who is injured. This can be harder in a slip and fall case as more time goes on. Important evidence like surveillance footage might become challenging to collect further out from the date of the fall it is. 

When you contact a slip and fall attorney, they will investigate your accident and collect relevant information and evidence on your behalf. This is essential information to support your claim. They will also ensure that everything is completed promptly to comply with the statute of limitation laws that grant three years from the fall date to file a claim in Michigan. 

Michigan is also a comparative negligence state. This means that the accident victim’s own negligence if any exists, is also valid and can reduce a potential settlement accordingly. For example, if the victim in a slip and fall was talking on their phone while walking and fell, they could share partial responsibility for the accident. Their settlement will then be reduced by the percentage amount of their found liability. If they are found to share ten percent of the responsibility and are awarded $50,000, they would receive $45,000 in compensation. 

Keep in mind that every slip and fall case is unique and should be approached as such. Speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney about the details of your accident. 

Should I File a Claim?

No one wants to be involved in a frivolous lawsuit at the expense of someone else’s business and livelihood. However, do not minimize your accident and the pain that you suffer as a result. It is not your fault that you fell, and you do not deserve to bear the consequences of someone else’s negligence alone. 

Worrying about what other people might think of your claim will only hurt you. Business owners and insurance companies exploit the “sue happy” stereotype to avoid responsibility and payouts. However, Michigan law protects the rights of legitimate accident victims like yourself, and property owners carry insurance to protect themselves. Do not ignore your needs and let a large insurance company win without even trying. 

Detroit Slip and Fall Attorneys Can Help

When you hire a Sommers Schwartz attorney to handle your slip and fall claim, you can count on personalized and skilled legal representation. We understand the questions and reservations you might have about your case. With more than 40 years of experience serving people hurt by others’ negligence, we are ready to help you in any way possible. 

Our success record is a testament to our knowledge, experience, resources, and dedication to justice. It is crucial to act quickly in a slip and fall accident to preserve your full legal rights. Give us a call today to discuss your case and to learn how we can help you.