Trusted Slip and Fall Attorneys in Pontiac, MI
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Have you been injured in a fall? Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers in Pontiac, MI have extensive experience helping slip and fall accident victims. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients and are here to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call us 24/7 at (888) 821-0102.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Working with a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Pontiac, MI
- Building a Strong Pontiac, MI Slip, and Fall Case
- Compensation & Damages for Pontiac Slip and Fall Injuries
- Lawsuit Deadline: The Michigan Statute of Limitations
- Government Property Cases in Pontiac
- Property Owner Responsibilities in Michigan
- Classifying Visitors to Pontiac Properties
- The Impact of Comparative Negligence on Your Slip and Fall Claim
- Workers’ Compensation Considerations for Slip and Fall Cases
- Common Causes of Pontiac Slip and Fall Accidents
- Why Choose Our Slip and Fall Law Firm in Pontiac, MI
- Helpful Resources in Pontiac, MI
- Frequently Asked Questions
How You Benefit from Working with a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Pontiac, MI
Whether you have lost a loved one in an accident or are dealing with your own injuries, help is available. Your pain and suffering are real, and there may be damages that you are legally entitled to receive. Our slip and fall accident attorneys in Pontiac, MI, are here to help you get the compensation you deserve after a slip and fall accident.
Once we take your case, you’ll have a Pontiac slip-and-fall lawyer to ask questions and get updates as your case progresses. Many of our Pontiac slip and fall clients have benefited from:
- Increased compensation in a settlement
- Faster settlements due to our proven track record of success
- Better communication
- Improved understanding of your rights
You pay no fees unless you win. Whether you’ve endured a slip and fall at a local business or on city property anywhere in the Pontiac, MI area, our slip and fall injury lawyers can help.
How Our Best Slip and Fall Lawyers in Pontiac, MI Build a Strong Slip and Fall Case for You
The key to winning a Pontiac, MI slip and fall case is filing a strong claim, which is why working with a slip and fall lawyer is so important. A strong case requires your attorney to prove negligence with these three specific elements:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care
- The property owner did not uphold that duty
- Your injuries were a result of the property owner’s failure uphold his or her duty of care
In addition, you need to have injuries that are extensive enough to require monetary damages.
Proving these factors is not always simple, but a Pontiac slip and fall attorney from Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers knows the proper evidence and strategies to do so.
Compensation & Damages for Slip and Fall Injuries in Pontiac, MI
Most injury victims working with an experienced Pontiac slip and fall attorney can receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, costs to replace damaged property, and lost wages or earning potential. Non-economic damages are items like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, or psychological trauma due to the accident.
Additional types of damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent or temporary disability
- Loss of consortium in fatal accidents
- Physical therapy and ongoing treatments
- Long-term care needs
- Transportation costs for medical care
Find out how much your case could be worth by scheduling a free case evaluation. Call us 24/7 at (888) 821-0102 to get started.
Pontiac Deadlines: The Michigan Statute of Limitations
In the aftermath of a serious accident, it’s easy to focus on your healing and trying to rebuild your life without thinking about the legal liability of those involved. However, if you wait too long to seek help from a Pontiac slip and fall accident law firm, you may be unable to do so.
Under Michigan law, slip and fall accident victims have three years from the accident to file their claim.[1] While this feels like a lot of time, it can fly by when you are being treated by your doctors, undergoing medical procedures, and attending therapy appointments. Because of this, you should schedule a consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure you file on time.
Slip and Falls on Government Property in Pontiac, MI
State-owned buildings, city halls, and public parks have unique liability protections due to extensive governmental immunity. For a slip and fall claim against a government entity to be valid in and around Pontiac, MI, the accident must typically fall under an exception to governmental immunity.
In Michigan, one relevant exception is the public building exception. This applies when a dangerous or defective condition of a Pontiac public building causes injury.
It’s crucial to note that claims against government entities have strict notice requirements:
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You must file a notice of intent to sue within 120 days of your slip and fall if it occurred as a result of “any dangerous or defective public building.” (MCL 691.1406)
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You must file a notice of intent to sue within 6 months of your slip and fall if you intend to sue the State of Michigan for your slip and fall. (MCL 600.6431(1) and (4))
These notice requirements must be complied with in addition to the filing deadlines under the statute of limitations.
The Responsibilities of Pontiac, MI Property Owners
One of the factors necessary to prove in a slip and fall accident case is liability. Under Michigan’s premises liability law, property owners have a duty of care to people based on their visitor classification or “status.” Specifically, the law defines this as a “duty to exercise reasonable care to protect” people who have been invited onto the property for the commercial benefit of the property owner. [2] The key phrase within this definition is “reasonable care,” which can be hard to define. Your Pontiac slip and fall accident attorney will assist you in determining what reasonable care looks like and if the property owner violated that.
In Stitt v. Holland¸ Michigan Supreme Court justices defined this reasonable care as:[3]
- Regularly inspecting the property
- Finding and making needed repairs
- Warning invitees about any known or discovered dangers
Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers have won multi-million-dollar settlements for our clients by finding worksite safety violations on construction sites, hidden dangers on private property, and negligent maintenance and merchandise display techniques from national retailers.
LEARN MORE: Winning Case Results
Classification of Property Visitors in Pontiac, MI
In addition to defining reasonable care, filing a slip and fall accident claim requires defining property visitors. Property owners have a different duty of care depending on the type of visitor who has an accident on their property. The different levels are:
- Invitees: When people visit a property for any commercial purpose, such as a retail store customer or a client visiting an office, they are considered invitees. Property owners have the highest duty of care to invitees. In these cases, the property owner must “make the premises safe” for invitees.
- Licensees: If someone is invited to be on the property for a non-commercial purpose, such as a guest in someone’s house, they are a licensee. While property owners still have a duty of care to licensees, it is not as high as that of invitees. In these cases, the property owner is liable only if they knew of the danger and didn’t warn their guests or try to improve the situation.
- Trespassers: Trespassers enter the property without the owner’s invitation or consent. Michigan law provides that property owners will not be liable for a trespasser’s injuries unless they were caused by the property owner’s wilful and wanton misconduct. rarely holds property owners liable for injuries to trespassers. [4]
The Impact of Comparative Negligence on Your Slip and Fall Claim
Michigan is a comparative negligence state, meaning injury victims can share some of the fault in their accidents.[5] If you were partially to blame for your fall, and the property owner can prove this, your compensation amount is reduced by the percent of fault you share. This can add up to a substantial amount of money in a case with a large settlement, and working with a Pontiac slip and fall lawyer can help lessen the impact of comparative negligence on your claim.
Workers’ Compensation Considerations for Slip and Fall Cases
At Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers, we often represent workers injured in falls on the job. However, these accidents fall under workers’ compensation law instead of personal injury law. Our attorneys are experienced with both kinds of cases.
Slip and Fall Workers Comp vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits
Workers’ compensation claims arise when a slip and fall accident happens at work. In general, workers’ compensation claims are considered “exclusive remedies,” which means the employee must use workers’ compensation insurance and cannot sue their employer for the accident. A few exceptions exist, such as accidents that injure contractors or accidents in the workplace when the employer does not have proper workers’ compensation in place. Our slip and fall attorneys will help you determine which type of claim applies to your accident.
Understanding Workers Compensation Benefits and Eligibility
Injured workers can file a workers’ compensation claim if they suffer an injury. To be eligible, the worker must be an employee of the business, and the injury must occur during the natural course of the person’s work day. If you are eligible for a workers compensation claim, you may be able to receive compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Therapy and support
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Death benefits in fatal accidents
Common Causes of Pontiac Slip and Fall Accidents
While life in Pontiac is enjoyable due to the city’s many attractions and recreation facilities, those facilities also pose a risk to residents. For example, visiting the UWM Sports Complex could lead to a slip and fall accident on wet stairs within the building, or climbing the stands at the M1 Concourse to watch a race could cause a fall.
Some common causes of slip and fall accidents in Pontiac include:
- Snow, Ice, and Winter weather hazards
- Cracked pavement or sidewalks
- Worn flooring or torn carpet
- Damaged handrails
- Wet floors
- Tripping hazards left in walkways
- Improper lighting
Regardless of the cause, partnering with an experienced slip and fall attorney will ensure you consider all of the factors in your accident and can receive the full compensation.
Why Choose Our Slip and Fall Law Firm in Pontiac, MI
Our Pontiac, MI slip and fall law firm specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in slip and fall accidents. Our attorneys have litigated more than 300 slip and fall, trip and fall, and premises liability cases throughout the state of Michigan. We are the team you want fighting for you after your Pontiac slip and fall accident.
Our clients have confidence in our quality representation for slip-and-fall cases. We know the Michigan laws surrounding slip-and-fall accidents, so you can feel confident that we’ll do everything possible to protect and enforce your rights.
Free Case Evaluation with Slip and Fall Attorneys in Pontiac, MI
If you or someone you care about has had a serious injury in a fall in Pontiac, time is of the essence. A Pontiac slip and fall accident attorney at Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers can help you pursue a fair settlement so you can focus on your healing.
Contact our team 24/7 at (888) 821-0102 to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.
More About Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan is part of Oakland County and is located approximately 26 miles northwest of Detroit. With a population of about 62,000 residents, Pontiac was founded in 1818, covers an area of about 20 square miles, and features famous landmarks like The Crofoot, a renowned music and event venue.
Civil Courthouses Near Pontiac for Slip and Fall Personal Injury Cases
1200 N. Telegraph Road
Pontiac, MI 48341
70 N. Saginaw Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
5850 Lorac Drive
Clarkston, MI 48346
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centers near Pontiac, MI
44200 Woodward Ave Ste 114
Pontiac, MI 48341
HealthQuest Physical Therapy – Pontiac
3959 Centerpoint Pkwy #100
Pontiac, MI 48341
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan – UWM Sports Complex
867 S Blvd E
Pontiac, MI 48341
Disclaimer: These centers are listed for informational purposes only. Our law firm is not affiliated with these entities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Pontiac, MI
How quickly should I document a fall in Pontiac?
After a fall in Pontiac, MI, create documentation about what happened as soon as possible. Take pictures, get a medical exam, and fill in an accident report at the property where the accident occurred, as all of these will help preserve evidence and build your slip and fall case.
How do I file a claim against a government entity in Pontiac?
Filing a slip and fall accident claim against a Pontiac government entity is similar to a private property owner. Still, there are different filing deadlines and forms required. Consider working with a slip and fall attorney in Pontiac to ensure you do everything right.
How are cases handled at the Pontiac Transportation Center?
Accidents at the Pontiac Transportation Center are handled similarly to other slip and fall accidents in Pontiac. You may need to file an accident report with AMTRAK but do not admit guilt or fault if you do.
What if I fall during a public event downtown?
If you fall during a public event in downtown Pontiac, and there is a clear hazard that caused your fall and was not properly marked, you may have the right to seek compensation from the property’s owner where the accident occurred.
What benefits are available while I can't work?
Your slip and fall accident attorney can help you ask for compensation for lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.
What evidence do I need for weather-related falls?
Pictures of the area where you fell that show the unsalted or unplowed walkway will help you create a strong case.
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Contact Us - Free Case Review with a Pontiac Slip and Fall Law Firm
Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers serve the entire state. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys in Pontiac, MI. We will help you understand your legal rights to pain and suffering compensation and money damages to help pay for your medical bills and lost wages. You pay no fees unless we win your case, so you have nothing to lose. Reach our team at (248) 254-8357 to schedule today.
Meet Our Attorney
Tim Holland is arguably Michigan’s most experienced and successful slip and fall lawyer. You can read more about Tim Holland’s experience and success here.
What Is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth?
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