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Don’t let a property owner’s negligence cost you your health and financial security. The aftermath of a slip and fall can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Getting help from Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers in Sterling Heights can protect your legal rights. Larger settlements, improved outcomes, and fewer mistakes are all benefits of working with an experienced attorney.

Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. Call us 24/7 at (248) 254-8357

Role and Benefits of Hiring a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Sterling Heights

Under Michigan law, victims of slip and fall accidents can seek financial compensation when their injuries result from the property owner’s negligence. This provides victims with noneconomic damages to cover their pain and suffering as well as economic damages to help them pay for medical care and treatment and reimburse them for lost wages and earnings.

Our trusted Sterling Heights slip and fall attorneys are committed to guiding you through the legal process and advocating for your rights. Working with our team provides several key advantages:

  • Increased compensation
  • Faster settlements due to our proven track record 
  • Better communication 
  • Improved understanding of your rights

Having skilled representation from Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers is crucial – without it, you risk working with attorneys who may commit critical errors. These can include missing important deadlines, overlooking potentially liable parties, not identifying all available insurance coverage, or accepting inadequate settlement offers that don’t reflect your case’s true value. Our law firm protects you from these risks after your slip and fall in Sterling Heights, MI.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident in Sterling Heights

Your actions in the days and weeks following your fall can directly impact your case. Your attorney can help guide you through the proper steps to take after an accident. When deciding what to do after a slip and fall accident, some of your critical first steps may include:

  • Contacting an experienced slip and fall attorney who specializes exclusively in this area of law
  • Taking pictures and video of the condition that caused your slip and fall 
  • Talking to and getting contact information from eyewitnesses
  • Reporting the accident to the property owner
  • Filing an incident report with the property owner

During this initial period, exercise caution in your communications. Avoid providing recorded statements, accepting preliminary settlement offers, or admitting any fault for the accident.  It’s crucial to consult with a qualified premises liability attorney before discussing your case with anyone – particularly insurance company representatives and claims investigators, whose primary goal is to protect their company’s interests rather than yours.

Proving Negligence in Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Cases

Under Michigan law, to successfully file a slip and fall lawsuit, you must prove that the property owner, i.e., the person or business who had possession and control of the property at the time of your slip and fall injury, was negligent. Proving this negligence is one of your attorney’s most essential responsibilities.

Elements of a Successful Claim for Slip and Fall

To prove negligence in a Sterling Heights slip and fall case, you must prove several things. These are:

  • The property owner or manager owed you a duty of care
  • The property owner or manager breached their duty of care
  • The breach of the duty of care caused you to fall
  • You suffered injuries warranting compensation as a result of your fall

A successful slip and fall claim will have evidence thatproves to all four of these negligence elements. With a long track record or success, you can count on our experienced team of slip and fall attorneys to fight for justice for your injuries and set your claim up for success.

Classification of Property Visitors

Your status as a visitor on someone’s property plays a crucial role in determining liability. Michigan law recognizes three distinct categories of visitors, each with varying levels of legal protection:

Michigan law defines the three visitor “statuses” – and the corresponding duty of care that they are owed – as follows:

  • Business Visitors (Invitees): Includes shoppers, customers, and business clients who are on-premises for the “commercial benefit” of the owner. The property owner has a “duty to exercise reasonable care” to actively maintain safe conditions and address potential hazards
  • Social Guests (Licensees): Includes friends, family members, and social visitors. In this case it is the responsibility of the property owner to warn licensees of any dangers known to the property owner that a licensee did not know about or would not have had a reason to know about. The landowner owes no duty of inspection or affirmative care to make the premises safe for the licensee’s visit. (Stitt v. Holland“)

Unauthorized Visitors (Trespassers): Those entering a property without permission are categorized as trespassers. Property owner’s duty have minimal legal obligations to ensure the safety of trespassers. The landowner owes no duty to the trespasser except to refrain from injuring him by “wilful and wanton” misconduct. (Stitt v. Holland)

How Timing and Notice Requirements Affect Your Case

Michigan slip and fall claims are governed by specific legal timeframes and regulations. The statute of limitations and comparative negligence laws directly impact both your right to file a claim and your potential compensation amount. In certain situations, these deadlines may be even shorter than usual – particularly when your case involves a government entity or other defendants where Michigan law requires special notification within a specific time frame after the incident. Our Sterling Heights slip and fall attorneys will help you navigate these important deadlines and notice requirements to protect your legal rights.

Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations in Michigan – Don’t Miss the Deadline

The state law requires that you must file within three years from the accident date.[1] Unfortunately, many accident victims fail to file their claims ahead of this deadline. This is one reason why the help of an experienced lawyer is crucial. Our team can help ensure no critical deadlines are missed.

Michigan Comparative Negligence

Under Michigan’s “comparative fault” law, a slip and fall victim’s monetary recovery is reduced by the percentage that the victim was at fault for contributing to his or her fall injury.[2]  Insurance companies often try to leverage this law to minimize property owners’ financial liability for injuries caused by their negligence.

For example, if you are taking the kids to play at Dodge Park and you happen to look at your phone just before you encounter a defective stretch of sidewalk, the attorneys defending the City of Sterling Heights may argue that you share responsibility for your injuries because you weren’t fully focused on your path. If your case goes to trial and the court decides that your bear some responsibility for your injuries, then your verdict will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault. Even if your case settles before trial, as most slip and fall cases do, this comparative fault principle typically influences the final settlement amount.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries

After a slip and fall accident, you may be due compensation if the other party is responsible and negligent for your injuries.  The types of compensation recoverable by Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include bills, such as medical expenses, and lost wages and earnings that result from the accident. Non-economic damages include less quantifiable costs, such as pain, suffering, mental anguish, and emotional turmoil after a serious injury.

Potential Slip and Fall Compensation and Damages

Working with a Sterling Heights personal injury attorney can mean getting compensation for issues such as:

  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost income, both current and future
  • Lost enjoyment in life
  • Mental anguish
  • Future medical expenses
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

There are additional types of damages that our Sterling Heights attorneys can help you claim, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Slip and Fall Accidents at Work

When it comes to workplace slip and fall accidents, understanding the difference between Workers’ Compensation and personal injury lawsuits is crucial. Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system that applies specifically to workplace injuries, providing benefits regardless of who caused the accident. 

While this coverage includes medical expenses and partial wage replacement, it typically doesn’t compensate for pain and suffering.

Personal injury lawsuits, on the other hand, require proof of negligence but can potentially yield higher compensation, including damages for pain and suffering. Even in cases where Workers’ Compensation rules limit claims against an employer, you may still be able to pursue claims against other responsible parties who aren’t protected by Workers’ Compensation regulations. This creates additional opportunities for seeking compensation for your injuries.

Slip and Fall Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation benefits include medical care coverage, partial wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation if needed. To qualify, you must meet three criteria: be classified as an employee (not an independent contractor), suffer a work-related injury, and notify your employer of the incident promptly.

While Workers’ Compensation typically serves as the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, there are notable exceptions. An employee may have grounds to sue their employer if intentional harm occurred, if they’re misclassified as an independent contractor, or if the employer fails to maintain required Workers’ Compensation insurance.

Additionally, you may be able to pursue a claim for pain and suffering against a third party – someone other than your employer or coworker – if their negligence contributed to your slip and fall accident.

Pain and Suffering Compensation in Work-Related Slip and Falls

While standard Workers’ Compensation claims don’t include pain and suffering damages, you may be eligible to pursue these types of compensation through a personal injury lawsuit in specific situations, such as those involving third parties or intentional acts. This includes cases involving third parties or intentional actions. 

For example, if an outside contractor’s negligence caused your workplace slip and fall, you could potentially pursue both a Workers’ Compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim against the contractor.

Workplace slip and fall cases involve complex legal considerations. Our legal team has extensive experience handling these matters and can help you understand your legal options while working to secure the compensation you deserve.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Causes in Sterling Heights, MI

Falls are the second most common cause of accidental fatalities worldwide[3]. The cause of your slip and fall accident can also impact your claim. While anything can create a tripping hazard, some causes are more common in Sterling Heights than others. The most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Sterling Heights include:

  • Faulty steps or railing
  • Ice and snow on walkways
  • Poorly maintained sidewalks and paths
  • Tripping hazards
  • Insufficient lighting
  • Slippery floors that are not marked
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Loose floorboards
  • Potholes
  • Debris or clutter

Responsibilities of Sterling Heights, MI Property Owners

Property owners in Michigan, including governmental entities, have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care to protect invitees from slip and fall hazards. They may be held liable for accidents even if they weren’t aware of a hazard, provided they should have known about the dangerous condition. A significant change in Michigan law occurred in 2023 when the “open and obvious” doctrine was eliminated, making it easier to hold property owners accountable for injuries.[4

 

Prior to this change, when Michigan followed the open and obvious doctrine, property owners could avoid liability by arguing that hazards were clearly visible, therefore placing blame on the victim. This often perversely incentivized property owners to not take action to minimize the danger of hazards and dangerous conditions, as the more open and obvious it was, the more of a shield it would be for them if someone did get hurt. The Michigan Supreme Court’s rejection of this doctrine has created a fairer system for injury victims and has ultimately made Michigan’s properties safer for everyone.

Liability for Slip and Falls Government Property

Government properties, such as including city halls, public parks, and state buildings, operate under special liability rules due to governmental immunity protections. However, these protections have limits. To successfully pursue a slip and fall claim against a government entity, your case must qualify under specific exceptions to governmental immunity. In Michigan, one key exception involves accidents caused by dangerous or defective conditions in public buildings.

It’s crucial to note that claims against government entities have strict notice requirements:

  • 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)
  • 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.

Our Difference – Call a Skilled Slip and Fall Injury Attorney in Sterling Heights, MI

At Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers, we’ve established an extensive track record of securing successful settlements and trial verdicts for our clients. Our practice focuses exclusively on slip and fall accident cases, with our attorneys having handled over 300 slip and fall, trip and fall, and premises liability cases across Michigan. When you need strong legal representation after a Sterling Heights slip and fall accident, our team delivers results.

Our experience in slip and fall law has garnered nationwide recognition. Beyond representing clients, our attorneys serve as educators, sharing their specialized knowledge with legal professionals throughout the country.

At our law firm, we provide comprehensive legal support for every step of the process. Our team is available 24/7 to address your questions and support your pursuit of justice. From pre-trial settlement negotiations to litigation proceedings, we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.

How We Can Help

Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers serve the entire state, including Sterling Heights. We can also assist clients throughout the country, co-counseling with trusted attorneys in other states when necessary. Our experienced attorneys can help you:

  • Evaluate, build, and help you to properly document your case
  • Gather and analyze critical evidence to win your case
  • Negotiate and achieve the highest slip and fall settlements with the insurance companies
  • Represent you in court and win your case

Why Choose Us?

When you choose Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers, you’re selecting a team with focused aim in slip and fall cases. Our proven track record of successful settlements and verdicts speaks to our commitment, focus, and skill in this specialized area of law.  Our attorneys have earned national recognition in the field of slip and fall litigation, setting us apart from the rest. 

Throughout your case, we provide comprehensive legal support, ensuring you have the guidance and advocacy you need through every step of the process. Our dedication to slip and fall cases, combined with our experience and client-centered approach, makes us the trusted choice for those seeking justice after a slip and fall accident.

More About Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sterling Heights, MI, located 25 miles north of Detroit, is Macomb County’s second-largest suburb with approximately 134,000 residents. Incorporated as a city in 1968, Sterling Heights covers 36.8 square miles and is known for its well-maintained parks system, including the expansive Dodge Park and the Clinton River Trail and offers popular community events like the annual Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair.

Civil Courthouses Near Sterling Heights for Slip and Fall Personal Injury Cases

City of Sterling Heights – 41A District Court
40111 Dodge Park Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Shelby Township District Court 41 A
52420 Van Dyke Ave
Shelby Township, MI 48316

Warren 37th District Court (A)
8300 Common Rd
Warren, MI 48093

41B District Court
22380 Starks Dr
Clinton Twp, MI 48036

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centers in Sterling Heights

US Rehab – Sterling Heights
13439 E 14 Mile Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Rehabilitation Institute of MI Sterling Heights Center
33464 Schoenherr Rd #100
Sterling Heights, MI 48312

Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy
5438 Metro Pkwy
Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Right Rehab Services
43154 Dequindre Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Disclaimer: These centers are listed for informational purposes only. Our law firm is not affiliated with these entities.

Read Reviews from People We've Helped

Our Metro Detroit Farmington Hills office is conveniently located on the south side of Northwestern Highway, just west of Inkster Road in the Michigan Auto Law building.  We also have a West Michigan law office located in downtown Grand Rapids to serve you if that is more convenient for you.

I had Tim and his team on a variety of matters. They are the best. Communication was clear and consistent. I could tell he cared because he could always remember me when I called, he knew what was going on immediately on my case and he would always take the time to find out how I was doing. He and Jason delivered great results and I would use them again on anything. It was just an overall great experience.”

-Tory Mitchell

Tim was great! From the start when he really cared and explained everything to me. He answered all my questions and we were in regular contact. He helped me through the process and in the end, we had an excellent result. I would highly recommend him”

-Sarah Privette

Tim Holland, Jason Hodge, Rick Houghton and Brandon Hewitt represented me in a wrongful death case that four other lawyers turned down. They helped me secure a satisfactory result to bring closure to a very difficult time in my life. They stayed in contact with me and answered my questions. They were tenacious in my representation and treated me like family. Not only were they zealous advocates for me, they were caring and showed me that I was more than just another client during the most difficult time in my life. They acted with integrity and compassion at all times. | would recommend them for any case in the future, but highly recommend them if you have any difficult or tricky matter.”

-Cynthia

Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Cases

How can a Sterling Heights slip and fall lawyer help my case?

A Sterling Heights slip and fall lawyer can help by fighting for fair compensation, holding negligent property owners accountable for your injuries, and commencing the legal discovery process to preserve the critical evidence you will need to prove your case.

What is premises liability, and how does it apply to my Sterling Heights slip and fall case?

Premises liability law in Sterling Heights determines when property owners owe a duty of care to people who enter onto their property and what duty of care they owe. If you slip and fall as a result of a hazard or dangerous condition on someone’s property, you may have a claim for compensation and money damages under Michigan’s premises liability law.

How do I prove negligence in a Sterling Heights slip and fall case?

Can I file a wrongful death claim in Sterling Heights if a family member died from a slip and fall accident?

Can I file a wrongful death claim in Sterling Heights if a family member died from a slip and fall accident?

If someone dies in a Sterling Heights slip and fall accident that is due to negligence, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering and damages for the loss of their loved one’s financial support, society, and companionship.

Contact Us - Free Case Review with a Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Law Firm

Michigan Slip and Fall Lawyers serve the entire state. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys in Sterling Heights, 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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