Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Slip-and-Fall Accidents at Public and Private Schools – Slip & Fall Attorneys in Detroit & Southfield Michigan
Students spend the majority of their days on school grounds. In Michigan and elsewhere, schools have a responsibility to keep children safe throughout the day.
Spine injuries are of particular concern in Michigan school accidents. The most common spine injuries at school are due to sports injuries and slip-and-fall accidents. While spinal damage is common in sports, sports-related injuries comprise approximately eight percent of all spinal injuries. Slip-and-fall accidents are a leading cause of back injuries, accounting for 31 percent of all major spinal cord injuries. In fact, they are second only to car accidents as the leading cause of back injuries.
Michigan schools must protect students from known hazards and hazards that can be detected by exercising reasonable care. Most slip-and-fall accidents at school are caused by dangerous conditions on school property, such as:
- Puddles of water around exterior doors
- Wet hallways and bathroom floors
- Spills in the cafeteria
- Uneven sidewalks, asphalt, or concrete
- Dangerous playground equipment
- Missing or damaged handrails
- Unplowed sidewalks and parking lots
- Overly buffed floors
Many of these hazards arise through no fault of a school employee, but schools have an affirmative duty to inspect their grounds and equipment and remedy potential dangers. When a school fails to take the necessary precautions, and a student is injured, the school may be held liable for the injuries.
It is important to note that Michigan law prohibits a plaintiff from recovering compensation if the hazard that caused their injury was “open and obvious.” An experienced personal injury lawyer can thoroughly investigate the facts and determine whether to initiate an action as a premises liability lawsuit or a traditional negligence claim.
Has your child suffered a spine injury after a preventable accident at school?
If your child recently suffered a debilitating spine injury while at a public or private school, contact the dedicated lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional representation, and our accomplished team of premises liability attorneys has a solid track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, call us today at 800-783-0989.
We fight hard. And we win.
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