Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen virtually anywhere. For some people, a fall results in minor bruises that heal over time, but for others, the injuries can be devastating and may even lead to lifelong disabilities. If your slip and fall accident happened because a property owner did not take enough care of the premises, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the expenses that you incurred as a result of the accident. It can be difficult to go about securing the compensation that you are owed on your own. Our Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyers are ready to help you assess your legal options and fight for your rights. We have offices in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Battle Creek, from which we represent people throughout West Michigan.

There are certain steps that you should always take after you are involved in an accident. First, you should make sure that you receive prompt medical treatment for your injuries. This is obviously important for your health, and it also creates a record of the injuries that you sustained as a result of the accident. It is important to obtain the contact information for any eyewitnesses who may be able to provide evidence about how you fell. If you are able to take any photographs of the hazard that caused your fall, that is also helpful.

In a slip and fall accident case, you will be required to show that the property owner failed to exercise the appropriate level of care in ensuring that the premises were safe. The level of care that a property owner owes to an individual depends on the reason why the individual is visiting the property. Property owners that invite people for business reasons, such as purchasing goods or obtaining a service, owe the highest level of care, which entails ensuring that the property is free of any known or reasonably knowable dangers while providing warnings about any dangers that cannot be repaired. Our slip and fall attorneys help victims in Grand Rapids and elsewhere hold property owners accountable for falling short of this standard.

One of the most common examples of a slip and fall accident involves someone slipping on spilled liquid or produce in a supermarket. Michigan recognizes the constructive notice doctrine, which means that a supermarket may be held liable for spilled produce or liquid if an employee knew about or should have identified the danger through reasonable inspections and maintenance of the supermarket.

Property owners that open their property to social guests, such as friends or family, owe a duty to warn against any known dangers, while property owners owe no duty of care to trespassers unless they are aware that trespassers routinely use the property.

If you are successful in showing that you were injured as a result of the owner’s failure to act according to the level of care that was owed to you, you may be entitled to compensation. There are a number of damages that may be available to a plaintiff in a personal injury case. For example, our Grand Rapids slip and fall attorneys may be able to obtain damages for items such as past and future medical expenses, such as medications, physical therapy, lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, and diminished quality of life. Michigan recognizes the comparative negligence doctrine, which states that a defendant can present evidence of the plaintiff’s negligence, and if the jury concludes that the plaintiff contributed to his or her own injuries, the plaintiff’s award may be reduced. Any award in the plaintiff’s favor will be reduced by the percentage of fault that the jury assigns to the plaintiff. Under Michigan law, if you are found to have been more than 50% at fault for your injuries, you will not be entitled to recover non-economic damages, which include items like pain and suffering. This is one reason why you should make sure to consult an attorney in the aftermath of an accident.

At McCroskey Law, we have counseled numerous victims and families regarding their rights following a slip and fall accident. We have experience investigating a broad range of accident types and are confident when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies, working with experts, and protecting your rights in the courtroom. Our slip and fall lawyers have offices in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Battle Creek. Call us in Muskegon at 231-726-4861, in Grand Rapids at 616-364-6607, or in Battle Creek at 269-968-2215.