Slip & Falls

An unattended spill in a supermarket, a loose stair in an office park, an icy walkway in a neighbor’s yard – whenever a property owner fails to address an unsafe condition on their premises, they put innocent people at risk of serious injury. If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, that person could owe you compensation for what you’ve suffered. Unfortunately, careless property owners rarely admit when they’re at fault, which can make it hard to get the compensation you deserve for what you’ve suffered.

Don’t try to pursue your case alone. Instead, turn to a Michigan premises liability lawyer to help you demand justice and accountability. The Detroit slip and fall law firm of Atnip & Associates, PLLC, has over 85 years of combined legal experience to put to work on your behalf as we demand the money you need for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us now for a free consultation and let us get to work on your case today.

Where Do Slip & Falls Occur?

While slip and falls can happen just about anywhere, certain settings are particularly hazardous, including:

Grocery and Retail Stores – Wet floors due to spills or cleaning, uneven surfaces, and cluttered aisles are common causes of slip and fall incidents in stores.
Restaurants and Bars – Spilled food and drinks, freshly mopped floors, and dim lighting make restaurants and bars hot spots for slip and falls.
Parking Lots and Sidewalks – Cracks, potholes, uneven surfaces, and icy conditions are typical hazards in parking lots and sidewalks that can lead to falls.
Homes and Apartments – Common hazards in residential settings include loose floorboards, wet floors, poor lighting, and unsecured rugs.
Workplaces – The particular hazards posed by workplaces depend on the nature of the work being conducted there. In office settings, loose carpeting or wires can cause trips, while industrial environments might have slippery surfaces due to oils or other materials.

Common Slip & Fall Injuries

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, accounting for about 8 million annually – over a fifth of all such visits. Slip and falls alone account for more than a million emergency room visits per year, often due to injuries like:

Fractures – Bones can break due to the impact of a fall. The most common fractures are to the wrist, ankle, and hip, especially in older adults.
Head Injuries – Those who fall and strike their heads often suffer injuries ranging from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries – Falls can lead to herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even spinal cord damage, which, in severe cases, can result in paralysis or other long-term disabilities
Shoulder Injuries – These can include dislocations or more complex injuries like brachial plexus injuries, which involve damage to the network of nerves connecting the spine to the arm.
Sprains and Strains – Ligaments, muscles, and tendons can be stretched or torn by a fall, leading to sprains and strains, especially in the wrists and ankles.
Cuts and Abrasions – These surface-level injuries often result from the skin making contact with or skidding abrasive surfaces during a fall.
Knee Damage – Falling can result in direct impact to the knees, leading to ligament injuries to the ACL or MCL or damage to the knee cap.

What to Do After a Slip & Fall

Hurt in a slip and fall? What you do next could have a serious effect on your ability to recover both physically and financially. Here are some crucial steps to take to protect your health and your legal rights to compensation:

Report the Accident – Notify the owner or manager of the property where you fell. If it’s a business, ensure an incident report is made, and ask for a copy of the report for your records.
Document the Scene – Take photos of the exact location where you fell and any conditions that contributed to the accident, like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting.
Seek Medical Attention – Be sure to seek treatment at an emergency room or urgent care or from your primary physician. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, especially those to the head or back, may not be immediately apparent, but could quickly worsen without proper treatment.
Keep Records – Keep a record of all medical treatments, receipts, and any correspondence related to the accident. Note any work days you miss and any activities you can’t participate in due to your injuries. Start a “pain journal” in which you record your daily struggles as you heal.
Don’t Give Any Recorded Statements – Be cautious about what you say following the accident. Avoid admitting fault or providing detailed statements to property owners or insurance representatives without speaking to a Michigan slip and fall lawyer
Consult a premises liability attorney in Michigan – Talk to an experienced Detroit personal injury attorneyto understand your rights and options. They can review your situation during a free consultation and determine whether you have a viable claim.

Remember, you could be owed money, and the sooner you speak with a Detroit trip and fall lawyer, the sooner they can start pursuing it.

Compensation for Slip & Fall Victims

If you slipped and fell because of a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, a Detroit trip and fall attorney can help you pursue compensation for your:

Medical Expenses– This can include costs for immediate medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical care related to the injuries you sustained in the fall.
Lost Wages– If the injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for lost wages and other income. This also includes lost earning capacity if the injuries lead to long-term or permanent disability affecting future earnings.
Pain and Suffering– This type of non-economic compensation accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress you suffered due to the accident. The extent of your pain and suffering is subjective, so it helps to have an experienced Detroit premises liability attorney as you seek compensation for it.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life– Injuries from slip and fall accidents can sometimes prevent victims from engaging in activities they previously enjoyed. If your quality of life has been affected by your injuries, you can factor that into your claim.

Crucially, Michigan follows a “comparative negligence” model for injury claims. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for slipping and falling. You should still speak with a slip and fall attorney in Detroit even if you suspect you were somewhat to blame for the accident.

How a Lawyer Can Help

In order to recover compensation for your slip and fall injuries, you will need to establish that:

You were on the property lawfully.
There was a dangerous condition on that property.
The property owner knew or should have known about the problem and failed to address it.
You suffered injuries as a result.
You deserve financial compensation for those injuries.

These points could be challenging to establish on your own, especially if the property owner has a legal team at their disposal or if their insurance provider disputes your claims. That’s why it pays to have a Detroit premises liability law firm on your side. A personal injury lawyer in Detroit can:

Investigate the accident to recover valuable evidence, like accident reports, witness statements, security camera footage, and medical records.
Work with experts to determine the total cost of your injuries and their effect on your life.
File insurance claims against the relevant policies and negotiate with insurance companies in pursuit of a generous settlement.
Pursue litigation against the property owner if they or their insurer won’t make you a fair offer.

Contact a Michigan Premises Liability Lawyer

Are you looking for a premises liability attorney in Michigan? Then you’ve come to the right place. Atnip & Associates, PLLC, is dedicated to helping people who’ve been hurt because of careless property owners, and we want to recover the money you’ll need to move on with your life. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Michigan personal injury lawyer, and find out what our Detroit slip and fall law firm can do for you.