Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of injuries across Michigan. These incidents can leave victims facing broken bones, head trauma, back injuries, and long-term mobility issues. While an accident may feel sudden and overwhelming, Michigan law provides important protections that allow injured people to hold negligent property owners accountable.
Learning about these protections can help you know whether you have a valid compensation claim and what steps you should take after an accident. If you’re ready to get started with your case, contact our slip and fall accident attorneys in Sterling Heights today for a free case review.
Michigan Premises Liability Law
Slip and fall accidents are governed by premises liability law. This area of the law in Michigan places a duty on property owners and managers to maintain safe conditions for people who enter their property.
The level of responsibility depends on the visitor’s legal status:
- Invitees: These are people who enter a property for the owner’s benefit, such as customers in a store. Owners must take reasonable steps to inspect the premises and fix or warn about dangers.
- Licensees: These are social guests or others invited for their own purposes. Owners must warn them of hazards the owner knows about, but they may not need to actively inspect for new dangers.
- Trespassers: Property owners generally owe no duty to adult trespassers but may need to protect children from “attractive nuisances,” such as unsecured swimming pools.
If an owner fails to meet these duties and someone is injured, they may be liable for damages.
What Do I Need to Prove to Win My Slip and Fall Claim in Michigan?
To recover compensation from the responsible property owner or manager, you generally must prove the following legal elements:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care.
- The owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition.
- The owner failed to repair the hazard or warn visitors.
- The dangerous condition directly caused your injury.
As the victim of a slip and fall accident, you will have the initial burden of proof to assert your claim. The burden of proof standard in these cases is “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is roughly a 51% or higher likelihood.
The Open and Obvious Doctrine
Michigan courts often consider whether the danger was “open and obvious.” If a hazard is something a reasonable person would have noticed and avoided, the property owner may not be held responsible.
However, the law on this topic is quickly evolving. A recent decision by the Michigan Supreme Court changed the way that this doctrine is applied, making it important to have an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer on your side if your case involves a hazard that may be considered “open and obvious.”
Contact the Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Khamo Law
Slip and fall accidents in Michigan can result in serious injuries, but state law gives victims a way to pursue justice. By holding property owners accountable for unsafe conditions, you may be able to secure compensation that reflects both your economic and non-economic damages.
Contact the Sterling Heights slip and fall accident attorneys at Khamo Law today at (248) 466-0606 for more information. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we win or settle your claim.