Slip and fall accidents are consistently the leading cause of emergency room visits nationally. They’re also the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and occupational injury for workers aged 55 and older. That said, it’s important to understand your rights if you sustain injuries due to someone else’s misconduct or negligence. A skilled Southfield slip and fall lawyer can help you make sense of your case and guide you through the legal process.
Wigod & Falzon has years of experience handling all types of premises liability cases, including slips and falls. Our personal injury lawyer team is dedicated to focusing on your financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery from your injuries. From sound legal advice to full representation in court, our team is there to help you navigate your case with ease.
Under Michigan law, property owners must maintain their properties to a standard that ensures visitors are safe while they’re on the premises. Slip and fall accidents occur when a person sustains an injury due to a property owner not upholding these standards. If you’ve been harmed due to the negligence of someone else, it’s important to know your legal rights and options.
Falls account for over eight million hospital emergency room visits across the country, and slips and falls specifically make up about one million of those visits. While the odds of sustaining a slip and fall injury go up the older you get, anyone can be a victim of a slip and fall accident, depending on the situation.
In 2022, 46,653 people died from falls nationally. Moreover, slips, trips, and falls accounted for about 19 percent of work-related fatalities in Michigan, and slip and fall injuries don’t only happen at work. That said, it’s important to understand what injuries could potentially fall under premises liability law so you can recover the damages you’re owed. Common injuries from slip and fall accidents include:
When you sustain an injury on someone else’s property, it’s wise to file a report with the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Ask for a copy of the incident report for your records to show that you responded to the accident when it happened. It’s also helpful to start gathering as many other pieces of evidence as possible so you can begin building the foundation of your case.
If you want to file a slip and fall accident claim, be sure to do so within three years of the incident occurring. A Southfield slip and fall lawyer can help you file an official claim against the property owner or their insurance company and guide you through the process of gathering evidence and bolstering your case.
Most slip and fall cases are settled outside of court, with your lawyer working directly with the insurance company to agree on a slip and fall settlement amount. In the case that you can’t reach a fair settlement agreement, your Southfield slip and fall lawyer can file a case with either the Michigan District Court or the Michigan Circuit Court.
When it comes to filing a claim against a property owner, it’s important to act quickly. The more time you wait to report an incident, the more likely it is for a property owner to have your claim dismissed. By working with a Southfield slip and fall lawyer, you can gather evidence quickly and stay on top of important deadlines.
Falls are the leading cause of injury for people aged 65 or older, and they’re a prominent cause of injury for younger adults, too. If you’re the victim of a slip and fall injury that may be due to a premises liability issue, a Southfield slip and fall lawyer can help you seek legal recourse and recover the damages you’re owed.
It’s possible to get compensation for a slip and fall injury in Southfield through either a settlement agreement or by going to trial. Many slip and fall accident cases are settled outside of court through negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you can’t reach an agreement, you can file a claim
While you are not legally required to work with a Southfield slip and fall lawyer, it can be highly beneficial when it comes to filing a claim and navigating the process of recovering damages for your injuries. An experienced slip and fall attorney understands how Michigan premises liability law works and can give you a better chance at a positive outcome in court.
If you slip and fall in a parking lot in Southfield, you may be able to file a claim with the property owner’s insurance. Parking lots are designed for vehicles, not people, which is why they can pose unexpected dangers for pedestrians on foot, including clutter, debris, inadequate lighting, pavement damage, sleet, and snow.
There are many types of dangers that could be present on someone’s property and lead to a slip and fall accident. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Southfield include broken railings, broken stairs, dangerous workplaces, icy storefronts, loose rugs, uneven floors, and wet floors.
Navigating the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re still physically recovering from your injuries. Our team at Wigod & Falzon is dedicated to providing the legal counsel and representation you need to get through your case and come out on the other side with the compensation you’re owed. Contact us today to set up a consultation with a Southfield slip and fall lawyer.