Imagine walking through Fashion Square Mall, doing some weekend shopping, when your foot suddenly slips on an unmarked wet floor. Next thing you know, you’re on the ground, pain shooting through your wrist after you tried to break your fall. When you leave the shopping center and go to the hospital, a medical examination reveals a compound fracture.
This scenario is not just a possibility, instead for many it’s a reality. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere in Saginaw, from icy parking lots to wet floors in stores and restaurants. These accidents often result in serious injuries that can affect victims for months or even years. The injuries lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If this happens to you or someone you love, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., can help you fight for the money you deserve. With decades of experience in Michigan personal injury law, we stand ready to assist accident victims in getting their lives back on track. We don’t just handle cases, we advocate for you and push for the results you need to move forward.
Why Hire Us for Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim?
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., our dedicated Saginaw slip and fall lawyers diligently advocate for our clients. We have 50 years of experience fighting for injury victims and won’t settle for anything less than full and fair compensation for your claim. When you work with us, you benefit from the following advantages:
- Decades of Experience: Our law firm opened its doors in 1973. Since then, we have faced thousands of defendants, their insurers, and their attorneys at the negotiation table and in court. In each instance, obtaining maximum compensation for our clients has always been our top priority.
- Personalized Representation: You aren’t just a number; you’re a person who suffered serious injuries because a premises owner was negligent. Our lawyers take time to understand your specific situation and tailor their strategy to meet your needs.
- Extensive Resources: As one of Michigan’s top-rated personal injury law firms, we have the necessary resources to ensure your case is as strong as possible. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident and use expert witnesses when necessary.
- Client-Centric Service: We understand the fear and anxiety involved in being injured. The moment you call us, we’ll be right there. We’ll also be there when you have questions and concerns or simply need to talk about your case.
- No Upfront Fees: When you’re unable to work after a slip and fall injury, the financial burden can set in quickly. This is why we take cases on a contingency basis. No fees are required up front and you only pay if we win a settlement or verdict for you.
Choosing the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. means opting for a legal team that not only has a proven track record of success but also cares about your future. With our experience, resources, and client-focused approach, we stand ready to fight for the justice you deserve following a slip-and-fall accident in Saginaw.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents happen when someone loses their balance and falls due to an unsafe condition on the ground. In Michigan, premises liability law covers these incidents. This law states that owners, occupiers, and managers must keep their spaces safe to prevent injuries to property visitors. If a property owner knows about a dangerous condition in their home, a business location, or a public area and does nothing to fix it, they can be held responsible if someone gets hurt.
Slip and fall accidents often result from liquid spills, icy sidewalks, snow, cluttered or wet floors, defective steps and railings, and uneven surfaces that are hard to detect. The outcome from these falls vary widely, from minor bruises to more severe bodily injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Arm injuries
- Hip injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
In extreme cases, long-term disability and even wrongful death may result. If you suffer injuries that result in high medical bills and months and even years of pain, a Michigan injury lawyer can help you hold the negligent party or parties responsible for your losses.
Why Hire a Saginaw Slip and Fall Lawyer?
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury in Saginaw County, you’re not legally required to hire a premises liability lawyer for your claim. However, there are several compelling reasons why you should. Pursuing a successful personal injury claim requires experience, legal acumen, and access to resources. In fact, studies have shown that having an accident lawyer represent you is more likely to lead to a higher settlement amount.
After taking on your case, your personal injury attorney will start collecting evidence to support your claim. This often involves visiting the accident scene, gathering surveillance footage, speaking with witnesses, and compiling medical records. This detailed investigation is crucial to building a strong case. Then they will negotiate with the appropriate insurance company for a settlement that fairly reflects your losses.
Insurance companies are known for minimizing payouts. A seasoned personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with these companies to ensure you receive fair compensation. They handle all communication, freeing you from the stress of dealing with insurers directly and letting you focus on healing.
While most slip-and-fall cases settle out of court, some do go to trial. If your case goes this route, having an experienced attorney is invaluable. They will represent you throughout the legal process, arguing on your behalf and striving to secure the compensation you deserve.
Hiring a Saginaw slip-and-fall lawyer means you have an advocate on your side, someone who understands the legal system and fights for your rights. Whether it’s negotiating a personal injury settlement or representing you in court, their skill and diligence can support the financial outcome you need.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Saginaw County
If you’ve experienced a slip and fall accident, you’ll want to take certain steps to protect your well-being and preserve evidence for your future personal injury claim. They include:
- Reporting the Accident: Inform the building owner or manager of the incident right away. This creates an official record that can later serve as evidence.
- Gathering Evidence: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, including any hazardous conditions that contributed to your fall (such as icy patches or uneven flooring). If your phone was damaged in the fall, ask a bystander for help.
- Identifying Witnesses: If anyone saw you fall, get their contact information. Witness statements can be powerful evidence in your favor.
- Seeking Medical Care: It’s critical to seek immediate medical attention even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries take time to manifest, and medical records serve as vital evidence of your injuries and their severity.
Once you’ve gotten medical treatment, speak to an experienced Saginaw slip-and-fall lawyer who can prepare a claim and deal with insurers on your behalf. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. understands the challenges you’re facing and is committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. By taking these steps and contacting us for assistance, you’re setting the groundwork for a strong premises liability lawsuit.
Compensation in a Slip and Fall Claim
When you pursue a Saginaw slip-and-fall claim, the types of compensation you can receive are generally split into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
This compensation covers losses that have a clear monetary value. It includes medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, property damage (e.g. broken smartphone), and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident. If you can show a receipt or an invoice, it falls under economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
The injuries and losses in this category aren’t easily measured in dollars. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress are examples. Since these impacts don’t have a price tag, calculating these damages is more subjective but equally important.
Factors that will influence your personal injury settlement amount include:
- Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries typically lead to higher compensation. Long-term or permanent injuries that leave you requiring physical therapy and attendant care can significantly increase a settlement amount.
- Impact on Daily Life: If your injuries affect your ability to work, enjoy life, or perform daily tasks, this can also increase your compensation.
- Evidence: Solid evidence that the property owner’s negligence caused your accident strengthens your claim. This includes photos, medical records, and witness statements.
- Legal Representation: Having an accident lawyer on your side can make a big difference in your settlement. Experienced lawyers know how to negotiate effectively and can argue for maximum compensation.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The property owner’s insurance policy limits may also affect your settlement amount. Even if your claim is worth more, the insurance coverage available can cap the compensation you receive.
How Do You Know If You Have a Valid Slip and Fall Case?
Determining if you have a valid slip-and-fall case hinges on a few key criteria, mainly around negligence and liability. Here’s what you need to consider:
- Negligence: For a case to be valid, you must prove that the property owner was negligent. This means they failed to take reasonable care to keep their premises safe and this failure led to your accident. For example, if a store owner knew their floor was wet and didn’t put up a warning sign, that could be seen as negligence.
- Liability: Establishing liability means showing that the property owner’s negligence directly caused your injuries. It’s not just about proving the property was unsafe; you must link the unsafe condition to your accident. If you slipped on an unmarked wet floor and hurt yourself, the store owner could be liable for your injuries.
- Knowledge of the Hazard: A key factor is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard. If a hazard was obvious or had been present for a significant amount of time, it’s harder for the owner to claim they were unaware of it.
- Your Own Role in the Incident: Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation can be reduced if you were partly at fault for the accident. For instance, if you were texting and not paying attention when you slipped, it could affect your case.
- Injuries and Damages: Having a valid case also depends on whether you sustained injuries and incurred damages. Without injuries or financial losses, there’s no premises liability claim to pursue, even if the property was unsafe.
Speak to a Saginaw Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Slip and fall accidents can occur unexpectedly, leaving you with injuries that may have lasting effects on your health, finances, and overall quality of life. However, you don’t have to face the consequences alone.
With our long history of advocating for the injured, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., is ready to support you through this challenging time. We believe in justice for the injured and accountability for the negligent, and our contingency fee policy ensures that financial concerns do not stand in your way. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Saginaw County, please call 989-399-7575 or contact us online today.
