Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Attorney

Slip and fall accidents happen when a person visits someone else’s property and slips, trips, and falls on a hazard located on the premises. Falls frequently result in severe injuries that are painful, costly to treat, and render victims unable to work. If you suffered a slip and fall, you could file a premises liability claim or personal injury lawsuit against the property owner or occupier to recover costs associated with your injuries.

However, pursuing damages takes work. For a claim to be successful, you must prove the property owner or other responsible party was negligent, and their carelessness caused your injuries. Fortunately, an experienced Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyer with Christensen Law can help you through every step of your case and seek the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Christensen Law or call 248-900-9000 now for a free consultation and a discussion about your best legal options. We take cases on contingency, meaning we can start your case today for nothing upfront or out of pocket.

What Do You Have to Prove in a Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Case?

Slip and fall victims have the burden of proof to establish the following four elements of a premises liability case:

• An unreasonably hazardous condition existed on the property. Did unreasonably dangerous conditions on the property cause your slip and fall accident? Photos, videos, eyewitness statements, repair records, and incident reports can be beneficial when proving this element of your claim.
• The property owner or other responsible party knew or reasonably should have known about the hazardous condition. For a property owner to be negligent, they must have known about the unsafe condition. Even if the property owner did not know about the dangerous situation, you might still be successful with your claim if you can prove that they reasonably should have known of its existence.
• You were lawfully on the property. Only invitees and licensees are eligible to claim compensation in Michigan. These individuals are legally allowed to be on the property for social or business purposes. If you were trespassing on another person’s property, you are likely unable to claim compensation per Michigan Compiled Laws § 554.583.
• You suffered an injury. Personal injury claims compensate you for your injuries and losses on another person’s property. Thus, you cannot file an injury claim if you did not suffer an injury or loss.

It is difficult to collect evidence and document an accident while trying to recover from your injuries or care for a hurt loved one. Our Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyers know what evidence to collect and how to collect it.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall Claim?

You are not required to hire a lawyer for a slip and fall injury claim. However, working with Christensen Law can protect your rights and financial future. Our skilled and compassionate lawyers have been fighting for injured clients in Michigan since 1991, so we know what it takes to get the monetary awards you need and deserve.

We Can Investigate Your Slip, Trip, and Fall

Our award-winning attorneys will independently investigate your slip and fall accident, during which they will do the following:

• Locate and speak to eyewitnesses.
• Demand a copy of any surveillance video of the accident.
• Obtain copies of any official accident, injury, or incident reports.
• Gather medical records and statements from your doctors proving you suffered an injury.
• Visit the scene of your accident and take photographs of the property conditions.
• Consult with experts if necessary.

It is crucial to begin collecting evidence and building a case immediately after an accident. Thus, our lawyers get to work before the footage gets erased, witnesses’ memories fade, or the property owner repairs the conditions that caused your slip and fall before being documented.

We Stand Up for You and Protect Your Rights

Soon after the accident, the property owner or their insurance company will likely contact you. The insurance company may offer you a settlement. However, this initial offer may only partially cover your injuries and losses. Nevertheless, if you accept this payment, you give up the right to seek additional compensation in the future—even if you discover the original settlement doesn’t fully cover your losses.

Our Grand Rapids slip and fall attorney will communicate with the property owner and involved insurers in protecting your right to claim the total compensation you deserve. We will aggressively negotiate on your behalf, stand up to bad-faith tactics, and reject lowball offers.

At Christensen Law, we value economic justice over easy resolutions. We prepare every case for trial and spare no resources when representing you and your best interests. We have presented and won hundreds of cases before judges and juries and will take your premises liability claim to civil court if required.

Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Accident

In general, our Grand Rapids lawyers can help recover the following after a slip and fall accident in Michigan.

Economic Damages

These losses have a concrete dollar value. Economic damages typically include medical expenses, lost income, and loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the same line of work. We can also help you claim any other financial expenses, including the cost of household services (e.g., cleaning and cooking) and medically necessary home and vehicle modifications.

Noneconomic Damages

These awards are not as easy to calculate because noneconomic losses are more subjective—but just as real and compensable. Typical noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Our lawyers can calculate the full value of your noneconomic losses, including working with health care professionals to understand better how your injuries affect your life.

Wrongful Death

If your loved one sustained a fatal slip and fall injury, our lawyers can help their personal representative (executor) seek damages on behalf of their estate and qualifying survivors. Wrongful death damages include economic losses from the accident, the deceased’s pain and suffering, and loss of your family member’s services, support, and financial contributions.

We Will Fight for the Maximum Settlement or Verdict

Our skilled and experienced attorneys listen to our clients, address their individual needs, and work tirelessly to protect their financial futures. We want you to have every cent you need for your physical recovery, household expenses, and other accident-related costs.

We have helped thousands of hurt Michiganians get back on their feet, earning us a reputation for outstanding service and significant financial results. We know how important a personal injury settlement can be and what a difference it can make in someone’s life after an injury. These awards and settlements are life-changing and can help our clients heal and recover, and we do not take this responsibility lightly.

When you work with Christensen Law, you are getting the best our firm has to offer.

Michigan’s Slip and Fall Accident Statute of Limitations

Michigan’s statute of limitations outlines the time limit all accident victims have to pursue a case. According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, if you do not file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit within three years from the accident or your loved one’s passing, you will give up your right to seek compensation in civil court.

Many people think three years is a long time to file a suit, but it is not. Our lawyers must investigate, collect evidence to substantiate your claim, and build a solid case to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

All this work takes time, and you cannot take legal action if the deadline expires. Thus, the insurance company will likely reduce or deny your settlement if time runs out. Speaking to our Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyers as soon as possible after your accident is essential.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Any hazardous condition can cause a slip and fall accident, but some are more common. Examples include:

• Uneven walking surfaces – There are a number of different types of uneven walking surfaces, including loose floorboards and mats, worn-out carpeting, potholes on roads, defective sidewalks, cluttered floors, and staircases that are in disrepair. Any of these conditions can easily lead to a slip and fall.
• Wet walking surfaces – Spilled liquids and freshly mopped floors often cause wet walking surfaces. Moisture may also collect on other surfaces due to improper drainage or defective gutters. Property owners are responsible for correcting these hazardous conditions.
• Weather – Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice when it accumulates. These weather conditions are extremely dangerous. Although it is impossible to control the weather, shoveling walkways and parking lots and using salting and sanding techniques are important.
• Cords and wires – Property owners or managers should always secure cords and wires to flooring, as these can cause a person to trip and fall.
• Nursing home neglect – Residents in nursing homes are very vulnerable. For these individuals, a slip and fall can prove fatal. Unfortunately, when nursing home neglect occurs, a resident might try to move from a wheelchair or bed without the supervision they need. As a result, they could slip and fall and sustain serious injuries—even when just walking a few feet.
• Broken handrails – Handrails are essential in helping people get up and down stairs. When a handrail is faulty, and someone reaches for it, they do not get the support they need and may fall.
• Poor lighting – When people cannot see where they are going, they may come across a hazard and trip and fall on it. This is why public spaces and common areas are always appropriately lit.

Any time individuals slip and fall due to one of these or other common causes, our Grand Rapids slip and fall lawyers could assist with their claim.

Places In Grand Rapids, MI, Where Slip and Fall Accidents Occur

A slip and fall accident can occur just about anywhere, but these locations are more common than others:

• Big box stores – Stores such as Costco, Wal-Mart, Meijer, and Target are very large, and employees sometimes fail to recognize and correct hazards. Store owners should always ensure they have enough staff to identify dangerous conditions and alert someone who can fix them or warn customers about the danger.
• Grocery stores – Grocery stores are a common place for slip and fall accidents. One customer may spill something, and if staff members do not clean it up right away, another customer can slip and fall and incur serious injuries.
• Malls – There are many hazards in shopping malls created by retailers that rent space and customers in the mall. Property owners and renters must regularly watch for dangerous conditions and correct them, so no one gets hurt.
• Restaurants – There is a high likelihood of spills in restaurants. When customers are not warned of these conditions, or they are not adequately cleaned, they can cause a slip and fall accident.
• Hotels – One cause of slip and fall injuries in hotels is poor lighting conditions on the property. Broken handrails, staircases, and worn carpeting also can lead to slip and fall accidents in hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.
• Sports stadiums – Whether an accident occurs in a bathroom with a wet floor, while climbing the stairs to a person’s seat, or some other dangerous condition, stadium owners are responsible for ensuring their property is reasonably safe for all visitors.
• Movie theaters – Theaters must be dark so patrons can view the movie. However, these dark conditions can lead to a slip and fall, so stairways must always be well-lit.

Tips for Protecting Your Rights After a Slip, Trip, and Fall

When you work with our firm, our responsive attorneys and attentive staff will do everything possible to remove the burden of your case from your shoulders. However, there are a few simple things you can do immediately after a fall to protect your health and right to compensation:

• Seek medical attention – If you sustained an acute injury, call 911 for emergency care. If you do not need medical attention at the scene, seek treatment as soon as possible. When getting examined, explain to the doctor how the injury happened. Your medical records can serve as valuable evidence.
• Take pictures – Photographs can be essential after a slip and fall accident. They can show how the accident happened, that the owner should have known about a dangerous condition, and the severity of your injuries.
• File a report – There is a good chance you will have to fill out an incident report, particularly if you fell in a business. Ask to speak to the manager or supervisor, complete the report, and request a copy before leaving.
• Speak to eyewitnesses – Eyewitness statements can be critical evidence that could help your claim. If you can, speak to anyone that saw the accident and ask them for their name and contact information.
• Get legal help as soon as possible – Consider contacting a Michigan personal injury lawyer with our firm. We can help you seek the compensation you deserve for all your losses.

We Can Help With Your Legal Issue

At Christensen Law, you will find a personal injury lawyer with experience in any injury case:

• Grand Rapids Wrongful Death Lawyer
• Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Grand Rapids Truck Accident Lawyer
• Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer
• Grand Rapids Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Talk to a Grand Rapids Slip and Fall Attorney Now

Slip and fall accidents can be serious and result in life-changing injuries. However, if you or a loved one suffered a fall on someone else’s property, you should not have to pay for the damages caused by their negligence.

At Christensen Law, our Grand Rapids slip and fall accident lawyers know how to communicate with insurance companies and negotiate aggressively to seek the full compensation you need. Call us today at 248-900-9000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and get started on your case.