Every year, hundreds of people across Michigan are injured in slip-and-fall accidents. You may be walking through a grocery store in Flint when you slip on a wet floor, breaking an ankle. You could even be leaving your rental property in Clio when a rotting step outside the porch breaks, causing a traumatic brain injury. Regardless of the circumstances, slip and fall incidents can result in catastrophic injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a slip and fall accident, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. is here to help. These cases require a keen understanding of both premises liability laws and the specific circumstances that led to the accident. Our skilled lawyers will not only aim to understand the full scope of your injuries but also the impact these injuries have on your life before demanding the compensation you need to move forward.
Why Hire the Lee Steinberg Law Firm for Your Flint Slip and Fall Claim?
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., our Flint slip and fall lawyers are here to provide the experienced, assertive, and personalized guidance you need to seek maximum compensation. We have been a top-rated Michigan personal injury law firm since 1973 and helped thousands of clients achieve the fair settlement or verdict they need to cover catastrophic losses and recover from their accidents. When you work with us, you benefit from the following:
- Decades of Experience: We have been helping people in Flint, Michigan, obtain full and fair compensation for four decades. Our experienced slip-and-fall attorneys know how to build a compelling case that gets results.
- Client-Centered Representation: You aren’t just another case number to us. We understand how a serious slip and fall injury can impact your life and won’t settle for anything less than maximum compensation for your claim.
- Access to Resources: As one of Michigan’s largest personal injury law firms, we have the resources to build and manage a strong case. This includes access to experts who can help reconstruct your accident to identify liability.
- Proven Track Record: Our history includes a $550,000 settlement for a slip and fall case. While no outcome is guaranteed, these results highlight our commitment to securing substantial compensation for our clients.
- No Fee Unless We Win: Our personal injury attorneys take slip-and-fall cases on a contingency basis, meaning that you only pay our fees if we win. This arrangement ensures access to justice no matter what your financial situation may be.
We exclusively represent injury victims, not large corporations and insurance companies. Call our team today for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
With the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., you gain a partner who is committed to your recovery and legal victory in Flint, Michigan. Let us carry the burden of your legal fight as you focus on healing.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from the places we visit daily to unexpected spots on occasional routes. These incidents, which arise due to dangerous conditions like wet floors, not only disrupt lives but can also lead to serious injuries. Below are some of the most common reasons why slips and falls occur.
- Slippery Floors: Spills or freshly mopped areas without proper warning signs create slippery conditions.
- Uneven Sidewalks: Cracks, gaps, or uneven pavement can easily trip pedestrians.
- Weather Conditions: Ice, snow, and rain can make outdoor surfaces slick and hazardous.
- Poor Lighting: Dimly lit areas can hide potential trip hazards, leading to falls.
- Loose Rugs or Mats: Rugs without proper grip or that are poorly placed can slide underfoot.
- Cluttered Floors: Obstacles in walkways, like cords or debris, can catch feet and cause stumbling.
- Faulty Staircases: Broken or uneven steps, missing handrails, and other disrepairs in stairways pose significant risks.
All of these dangerous situations can lead to the following types of injuries:
- Fractures: Broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, ankles, and hips, are one of the most common injuries among slip and fall victims.
- Head and Neck Injuries: This includes concussions, closed head injuries, and more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls can lead to spinal injuries, including herniated discs and, in severe cases, paralysis.
- Cuts and Abrasions: Sharp objects or rough surfaces can cause cuts and scrapes during a fall.
- Shoulder Injuries: These can range from dislocations to more complex physical injuries like a torn rotator cuff.
- Knee Damage: Falling can lead to various knee injuries, including ligament tears and fractures within the knee structure.
- Sprains and Strains: Overextending or twisting during a fall can lead to sprained ankles and wrists as well as muscle strains.
- Bruising: While seemingly minor, bruising can indicate deeper trauma, especially in older adults.
- Wrongful Death: Serious injuries to the head or other vital areas can be fatal and give rise to a wrongful death claim.
These injuries can vary widely in severity, with some requiring extensive (and costly) medical treatment and rehabilitation. Our accident attorneys will carefully review your medical records and bills to arrive at a fair value for your damages.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
After experiencing a slip and fall accident in Michigan, what you do next can impact your well-being and any potential legal action. Below are recommended steps to protect yourself legally as well as medically.
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by getting medical care immediately, even if injuries initially seem minor. Many potentially serious injuries can take a while to show symptoms, especially if you’re in shock from the fall.
- Report the Incident: Notify the property owner or manager about the accident as soon as possible. Ask them to document the event and provide you with a copy of the report.
- Document Everything: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including any hazardous condition that contributed to the fall. Should your smartphone be too damaged, ask a bystander to take the images and email them to you.
- Collect Witness Information: Get their contact details if anyone saw the fall. Witness statements can be invaluable evidence when you go to file your personal injury claim.
- Consult with a Flint Personal Injury Lawyer: Once a medical examination confirms that you’ve suffered compensable injuries, speak to a slip and fall accident lawyer who can help you prepare and file a claim for compensation against the negligent party’s insurer.
By following these steps, you can protect your well-being and strengthen your position should you decide to pursue compensation for your financial losses.
Who Pays For Your Damages?
Michigan’s premises liability law revolves around the principle that property owners and occupiers have a legal duty of care to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. This law, which applies to both public and private properties (including stores, homes, and public sidewalks) aims to prevent harm by addressing potential hazards that could lead to accidents.
Who pays for slip and fall injuries depends on who maintains the area where the accident occurred. Potentially liable parties may include:
- Negligent Property Owners: If the accident occurred due to a dangerous condition that the premises owner knew or should have known about, they might be liable.
- Business Occupiers: In cases where a business leases a property, the business itself can be held responsible if it fails to take reasonable care to keep visitors safe.
- Landlords: Renters and tenants have special protections under Michigan law for landlord negligence. If a tenant is injured on a rental property due to negligence, the tenant can obtain compensation for his or her injuries.
- Government Entities: For falls on public property, such as sidewalks or roads, a government entity could be liable, though special rules apply.
- Maintenance Companies: If a third-party company was responsible for maintaining the area and neglected to correct a dangerous condition, they could also be held accountable.
Liability hinges on proving negligence—showing that the responsible party (e.g. the building owner or manager) knew or should reasonably have known of the unreasonably dangerous condition but failed to act. An experienced Flint slip and fall lawyer can review key evidence like photos, video footage, and accident reports to determine who may be liable for compensating you.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries
Compensation in a Michigan slip and fall accident is generally categorized into two main types: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to the financial expenses directly tied to the accident. They are concrete and can be easily quantified. Examples include medical bills for fall-related treatments, loss of income if you’re unable to work, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, like attendant care and transportation costs to medical appointments.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, cover the more subjective, non-monetary aspects of your injury. These damages acknowledge the pain and suffering you endure, the emotional distress following the accident, and any loss of enjoyment of life. Unlike economic damages, these are not easily quantified and often require thoughtful consideration and negotiation to determine their value.
The size of your personal injury settlement hinges on several key factors. They include but may not be limited to:
- Severity of Injuries: Generally speaking, more severe injuries lead to higher medical bills, longer recovery times, and greater compensation.
- Medical Expenses: The total cost of your treatment, including future medical care, directly influences your settlement size.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, the lost income during your recovery period is considered.
- Ability to Work: Long-term impacts on your ability to earn, including any changes in job capacity or career limitations, are assessed when determining your compensation.
- Pain and Suffering: This covers physical pain and emotional distress, with more severe distress often leading to higher compensation.
- Liability and Negligence: The clarity of fault and the degree of negligence shown by the property owner affect the settlement. Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule in slip and fall accidents, which means that if you contributed to the accident in any way, your compensation may be reduced according to your degree of fault.
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., our premises liability lawyers leverage their vast skill and experience to accurately assess the value of your slip and fall claim. We then use this well-founded valuation as a cornerstone for aggressive negotiation or, if necessary, litigation. Through strategic planning and robust advocacy, we aim to secure the compensation you deserve.
When Should You Hire a Flint Slip and Fall Lawyer?
Michigan’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. However, waiting too long can weaken your case. You should seek legal advice and representation as soon as possible, as early action ensures that evidence remains intact and witness memories are fresh.
Promptly hiring a lawyer allows for the immediate gathering and preservation of evidence as well as effectively capturing the details of the incident. This timely approach significantly enhances your chances of securing fair and just compensation for your injuries. Don’t wait to get the claims process started- call a lawyer today.
Injured? Get a Free Consultation From a Flint Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, building or store in Flint, Michigan, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. is here to help you. We have helped thousands of clients in Genesee County and surrounding communities such as Grand Blanc, Burton, Mt. Morris, Swartz Creek, Davison and Flushing.
From accurately valuing your premises liability claim to fighting diligently on your behalf, our legal team will strive to win the compensation you deserve. Consultations are always free, and you only pay us if we win. For more information or to get the legal process started, call our law office in Flint at 810-487-4111 or contact us online today.
