If you were injured on someone else’s property in Michigan, you may be wondering how much your case is worth. Settlement amounts in Michigan premises liability accident cases are based on various factors, such as the type of injury you have sustained and your ability to demonstrate the responsible party’s liability.
Knowing what can affect the value of your claim can help you understand what to expect as your case moves forward. A premises liability lawyer can evaluate your case and provide an estimate of its potential value.
Read on to learn about some of the most important factors that go into determining settlement values in these cases, and contact a Sterling Heights premises liability attorney in Michigan for a free consultation if you need help.
Severity of the Injury
The extent of your injuries plays a major role in determining how much you can recover. Serious injuries like broken bones and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often lead to higher settlements because they cause more pain and take longer to heal.
If your injury affects your ability to work or live normally, that can also increase the amount of compensation available to you. Your premises liability lawyer can work with medical experts to fully document the severity and long-term impact of your injuries.
Medical Expenses and Future Care
Your settlement should cover all of your medical bills tied to the accident. That includes hospital visits, medication, physical therapy, and any long-term treatment you may need. Future medical costs can also be included if your injury will require ongoing care. Keeping records of every medical expense helps strengthen your claim.
Lost Income and Earning Ability
If your injuries caused you to miss work, you can pursue compensation for lost wages. If your injury affects your future ability to work or limits your career options, you may also be entitled to recover money for reduced earning capacity. Pay stubs, tax returns, and notes from your employer can all be used as proof. A premises liability attorney in Sterling Heights can help calculate both past and future lost earnings to ensure you receive full compensation.
Pain and Suffering
You may also receive compensation for pain and suffering as well as other non-economic damages. This includes both physical pain and the emotional impact of the accident, like anxiety or difficulty enjoying life as you did before. While there’s no exact formula for these damages, they’re often based on how long you’ve been in pain and how serious your injury is.
Michigan’s Comparative Fault Law
Michigan uses a modified comparative fault statute that may impact much money you can recover as well. If you were partly to blame for your accident, your settlement may be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you were found 30% at fault for missing a warning sign, your award would be reduced by 30%.
If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover money for your non-economic damages (like pain and suffering discussed above). That’s why proving negligence by the property owner or manager is critical, as is hiring a premises liability lawyer. Your premises liability attorney in Sterling Heights can respond to allegations of shared fault on your behalf appropriately.
Contact a Sterling Heights Premises Liability Lawyer at Khamo Law Today
Many factors could affect your settlement amount in a Michigan premises liability accident claim. The type of property in question, the cause of the accident, and how the injury has changed your life could all play a part.
If you were hurt because a property owner didn’t keep their premises safe, contact a Sterling Heights premises liability attorney at Khamo Law today at (248) 466-0606 or by reaching out to us online. We offer a free case review and work on contingency, which means we only get paid if you do.