Michigan winters create hazardous icy conditions on sidewalks and in parking lots, particularly on private properties like businesses and apartment complexes, which may not be cleared as quickly as public roads. If you’ve slipped on ice and suffered an injury, taking the proper steps can help your recovery and protect your right to pursue compensation.
Contact a qualified Michigan slip-and-fall lawyer at Fieger Law to guide you through the claims process.
Property Owners’ Responsibilities Toward Guests and Customers
Under premises liability laws, private businesses and property management companies in Michigan are legally required to maintain safe conditions for visitors.
This obligation extends to two types of guests:
- Explicitly Invited Guests: These include social guests, customers, and visitors who have been welcomed onto the property for specific purposes, like shopping, dining, or as a tenant.
- Implied Invited Guests: This category covers delivery drivers, postal workers, and utility personnel who may not have a direct invitation but have a legal and reasonable purpose for entering the premises.
Michigan law requires property owners to take reasonable measures to address hazards, such as ice-covered walkways or stairs. They may be liable for injuries if they fail to clear these hazards or warn visitors.
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident on private property, our experienced legal team at Fieger Law can review your case and help you explore your options for seeking compensation.
What To Do Immediately Following a Slip-and-Fall Injury
When a slip and fall happens on an icy property, taking the following steps can help protect your health and legal rights:
Seek Medical Attention
Injuries such as sprains, fractures, or even concussions may seem mild at first but can become more serious over time as symptoms progress without proper diagnosis or treatment. For example, striking your head on the ground in a fall may appear to cause only minor head trauma, but may actually be a traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in long-term symptoms like persistent headaches, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating.
Prompt medical attention can help prevent health complications and provide important documentation for any injuries caused by the fall.
Gather Witness Information
Collect their contact information if anyone witnessed your fall or noticed the hazardous conditions. Witnesses can offer crucial testimony, describing the icy conditions and lack of proper maintenance, which can bolster your case.
Our experienced slip-and-fall lawyers will contact these witnesses to gather detailed statements supporting your claim.
Document the Scene
Use your phone to take pictures of the icy area where you fell and any posted signs (or absence of warnings) about hazardous conditions. Visual evidence strengthens your claim by showing the conditions that led to your fall, which can be critical if you seek compensation.
Report the Incident
Notify the property owner, manager, or store staff immediately. Describe the incident and include details like the exact time it occurred and the staff’s actions afterward. For example, “I slipped on an icy patch near the entrance around 3 p.m. There were no warning signs, and no staff came to help me up.” Request a copy of the incident report as evidence for your claim.
Save Evidence
Keep detailed records of your injuries and how they affect your daily life, including medical reports, photographs, and a journal tracking your symptoms. These records help demonstrate the full extent of your suffering. Also, keep any clothing worn during the accident that shows signs of the fall, such as tears or stains, as it can serve as further evidence.
Our legal team can assist you in gathering the essential evidence needed to build a strong case.
Avoid Discussing Your Case
Following a slip-and-fall, the property owner’s insurance company may contact you to discuss your injury. Be cautious when speaking with insurance representatives without legal counsel, as their goal is often to minimize payouts. Our attorneys can help protect your rights and advocate for the fair compensation you deserve.
Contact an Experienced Michigan Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
A slip-and-fall injury on an icy property, whether a business or rental complex, can have serious consequences, impacting your physical health, finances, and overall quality of life. Handling a slip-and-fall case can be challenging, especially with properties managed by companies experienced in minimizing their liability.
Our slip-and-fall lawyers understand the challenges you’re facing. As one of Michigan’s most prominent and largest law firms, we can use our experience and resources to gather evidence for your case and negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and get the answers you need to move forward with your claim.