Who Pays When You Slip and Fall in Michigan?

Wintertime, with its icy and snowy conditions, is an opportune time for slip and fall accidents to occur outdoors. However, such incidents do not only occur in parking lots and on sidewalks. People who brave the elements often bring snow and water indoors with them, creating slick floors in commercial spaces and private properties. 

Millions of people slip and fall each year, some causing serious injuries. These accidents can lead to compensation for you or your loved ones, so long as you know from whom to seek such compensation.

How to Know Who Is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall

Following a slip and fall accident at any time of the year, liability for your injuries depends on where you were hurt and why you were there. For example:

Business Owners Are Liable for Customers’ Injuries

If you were hurt inside a store, restaurant, or elsewhere on a commercial property, the owner is generally responsible for compensating you for your injuries. Business owners have an obligation to make reasonable efforts to keep their premises free from slip and fall hazards, including snow, ice, water, and other spills.

Private Property Owners’ Liability for Injuries

The situation is a bit different for private property owners like homeowners. If the property owner invites you to come over or visit their property, the law requires them to take reasonable steps to identify and correct slip and fall hazards. This could include shoveling the driveway or mopping up pools of water.

If you are lawfully present on a private person’s property but not invited, then the owner must correct any hazard that they created. For example, homeowners should not shovel snow directly in the walking path of pedestrians using the sidewalk.

While there is no state law that requires private individuals to shovel their driveways or clear sidewalks, some cities have local ordinances that do impose this responsibility. Failing to fulfill this responsibility, or doing it in a careless way, can also lead to liability for private property owners.

It’s Difficult to Obtain Compensation for Slips and Falls on Public Property

In all public locations, such as streets and public parks, your ability to recover compensation for a slip and fall injury is extremely limited. While a city can be sued for the negligence and recklessness of its employees, such claims are subject to special laws. Additionally, a city or state has certain legal immunities that can excuse its conduct and result in you recovering no compensation.

Speaking to an attorney can help you understand your options for seeking compensation in these situations.

Obtaining Compensation With Help From a Michigan Attorney

Speaking with a qualified Michigan slip and fall lawyer following your accident is an effective way to protect your legal rights. Your attorney will want to know details about the circumstances of your accident, including where you were and what you slipped on. This can help your attorney determine whether you are entitled to compensation and from whom.