Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Lawyer: No Win, No Fee

A slip and fall accident can happen in an instant, but the injuries it causes can last a lifetime. Whether you fell on a slippery floor, a cracked walkway, or an icy parking lot in Grand Rapids, Michigan law gives you legal rights under premises liability. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has spent more than 50 years fighting to protect Kent County residents. 

Property owners, insurance companies, and defense lawyers will use several defenses to avoid responsibility. For example, they will often argue that the hazard was open and obvious, that the injured person should have seen it, that the owner had no notice of the dangerous condition, or that the fall did not cause the injury. A strong claim requires evidence, a thorough investigation, and a clear explanation of why the property owner failed to use reasonable care.

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall in Grand Rapids, our no-fee consultation can help you understand whether you may have a case.

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm helps injured people in Grand Rapids and across Michigan pursue premises liability claims. Call **1-800-LEE-FREE** for a free case evaluation.

A fall claim differs from a Michigan car accident claim. Still, both require prompt evidence preservation, consistent communication, and a clear story explaining the harms and losses our client sustained because of the property owner’s negligence. 

Common Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Locations

Slip and fall injuries can happen almost anywhere, including:

• Grocery stores
• Restaurants and bars
• Apartment complexes
• Parking lots
• Sidewalks and walkways
• Office buildings
• Hotels
• Retail stores
• Medical facilities
• Schools and public buildings

Common hazards include wet floors, ice, snow, uneven pavement, broken steps, loose mats, poor lighting, spills, cluttered walkways, missing handrails, and unsafe transitions between flooring surfaces.

Michigan Premises Liability Basics

Premises liability is the area of law that addresses injuries caused by dangerous property conditions. In many cases, the injured person must show the property owner or possessor had a duty. They must also show the owner broke that duty and caused injury. 

The legal duty often depends on why the injured person was on the property. The law treats customers, tenants, social guests, and trespassers differently.

For business customers, tenants, and other invitees, property owners generally owe the highest duty of care. This includes using ordinary care to protect against unreasonable risks of harm. That may include inspecting the property, fixing hazards, warning visitors of hidden or non-obvious dangers, and following reasonable maintenance practices.

For a broader statewide guide, read Michigan Slip and Fall Premises Liability.

When a fall happens near traffic, in a parking lot, or after a vehicle-related incident, Michigan traffic laws for accident victims may also help explain fault and evidence.

The Open and Obvious Issue in Michigan

The main defense in most slip and fall cases is the “open and obvious” defense. The defense is that a property owner should not be responsible for a hazard it creates if it is open and easy to see. For years, the open and obvious doctrine heavily affected Michigan slip and fall cases. It was used by defendants as a way to escape responsibility and get valid cases dismissed. In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court changed how the doctrine works in premises liability cases.

In Kandil-Elsayed v. F&E Oil, Inc., the Court held that open and obvious conditions are no longer treated as a duty question in the same way as before. Instead, the obviousness of a hazard generally relates to breach of duty and comparative fault, not whether the property owner owed a duty to the injured person in the first place. This change made it more difficult for judges to dismiss cases based upon the open-and-obvious nature of the defect. Instead, a jury must determine whether the premises owner was liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. 

This does not mean every fall is a winning case. It does mean that property owners cannot automatically escape responsibility simply by saying the hazard was visible. The details still matter. The area's condition, lighting, weather, warnings, maintenance history, and the injured person's conduct are important. 

Evidence That Can Make or Break a Slip and Fall Claim

Slip-and-fall evidence can disappear quickly. Spills are cleaned. Snow and ice melt. Cameras overwrite footage. Employees forget details. Incident reports get buried. It is important to hire an aggressive Michigan slip and fall accident lawyer as quickly as possible after a fall to preserve evidence. Types of useful evidence may include:

• Photos of the hazard
• Video footage
• Incident reports
• Witness names
• Weather records
• Maintenance logs
• Cleaning schedules
• Prior complaints
• Medical records
• Shoes and clothing worn during the fall

If possible, take photos immediately. If you cannot, ask someone you trust to return to the scene and document the area as quickly as possible. Also, contact a Michigan slip and fall law firm so they can begin the investigation themselves immediately.

Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall injuries can be serious, especially for older adults, workers, and people who fall on hard surfaces. Common injuries include:

• Hip fractures
• Wrist and arm fractures
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Concussions
• Herniated discs
• Torn ligaments
• Facial injuries

Do not delay medical care. A gap in treatment makes it easier for the insurance company to argue the injury was minor or unrelated.

How No Win, No Fee Works

A no-win, no-fee arrangement means the attorney fee is contingent on recovery. You do not pay an attorney fee upfront. If money is recovered, the fee is paid from the recovery according to the written fee agreement. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.

The agreement should also explain case costs, medical liens, and how settlement funds are distributed. 

You can also read our full guide to free consultation and no win, no fee representation.

Our firm also evaluates related injury claims involving Michigan motorcycle accident claims and Michigan bicycle accident lawyer claims when a fall or unsafe property condition overlaps with a roadway incident.

What Compensation May Be Available?

A Grand Rapids slip and fall claim may seek compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Future medical care
• Lost income
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life

The value depends on liability, injury severity, medical proof, long-term impact, insurance coverage, comparative fault, and the skills of your Michigan slip and fall lawyers. 

Free Consultation

If you were hurt in a fall, give our office a call so we can talk through what happened and see what evidence was preserved. If needed, we can go to the incident scene to take videos and photos, obtain surveillance footage, speak with potential witnesses, and investigate the scene with an expert. 

Call Lee Steinberg Law Firm at **1-800-LEE-FREE** to request a free case evaluation. There are no fees unless we win.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I have a claim if the hazard was visible?

Possibly. Michigan law has changed on open and obvious hazards. The visibility of the condition still matters, but it does not automatically end the claim. Juries can still evaluate the plaintiff's fault for not avoiding the hazard. If a jury finds the plaintiff more than 50% at fault for the fall injury, the plaintiff cannot get pain and suffering compensation.  

How much does a Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyer cost?

Most slip-and-fall cases are handled on a contingency fee. There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered. The attorney fee at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm is one-third of the net recovery, which is the settlement amount after case costs. This is the standard in Michigan as set forth by Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.121 and the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MPRC 1.5). 

What should I do after a fall?

Report the fall to the manager or a person in charge of the property. If possible, take photos and video of the defective hazard. Also, try to get witnesses' names and telephone numbers. Avoid giving recorded statements to anyone, in particular the property owner or anyone affiliated with the property owner. Contact an experienced Michigan premises liability lawyer to see whether you have a strong case.

How long do I have to file?

Many Michigan premises liability claims have a three-year limitations period, but shorter deadlines may apply in some cases, especially when the claim involves government property.