Michigan slip and fall laws protect both the property of others and the individual who may be injured on someone else’s property. The right of recovery under the law is known as “placing a reasonable person on the railroad tracks.” In order for this right to be enforced, Michigan courts have found that the individual or persons who are injured on another person’s premises must have taken all reasonable steps to mitigate the potential of harm and avoid harm in the first place. For example, placing a person on a railroad track is more reasonable than simply letting that person walk across it. This means that a Michigan slip and fall injury claim requires that you show that you reasonably could have avoided the risk by exercising caution or avoiding someone when possible.
The most common form of slip and fall injury claims occurs in residential areas. In such cases, the claim is usually brought on behalf of an individual who was injured while on another’s property because of negligence or improper procedures. These claims are usually handled through personal injury lawyers who will work to determine if the property owner was negligent in some way, while also examining the personal injury damages that resulted from the resulting slip and fall accident. The results of these determinations often lead to long-term compensation packages worth millions of dollars. Although non-economic damages may also be awarded in cases involving slip and falls, these awards are less common.
One of the main concerns with these cases is that they take time. While an individual may file a claim in county court, the process may be time consuming and subject to local restrictions and requirements. This means that cases involving slip and falls on private property can take longer to resolve than those that occur on public property. In addition, depending on the nature of the property in question and the policies of the owner, local governments may attempt to delay or even cancel compensation awards if they believe that the damage was caused as a result of a “careless” act or action. Sometimes this means that a claim will never be paid in full.
For those individuals that have been injured as a result of a slip or fall, finding an attorney can be a complicated process. This is because Michigan law specifically states that a personal injury lawyer must be registered and that he or she must have specialized experience handling cases that involve slip injuries. The standards for choosing a Michigan slip and fall attorney are more strict than those required for most other types of legal representation. If you are injured in a slip or fall and need to seek legal counsel, your first step should be to talk with a qualified attorney who has handled cases similar to yours in the past.
Once you have chosen a qualified attorney, you should then discuss a payment plan. Many attorneys charge a flat fee for their services, but it is also becoming common for more elective fees to be charged. Before signing any contracts, be certain that you understand all the charges that will be assessed. Also be sure to ask whether there are any extra fees that will result from your personal injury case. An Michigan slip and fall law firm will not cost you any money up front if you do not win your lawsuit.
Many people in Michigan have been injured due to slip and fall accidents. It is important to take care when going outside and to make sure that you do not take chances on unsafe conditions. When you are in a state of diminished physical well-being, you may not be able to exert the same level of care that you would when you are physically fit. Michigan Slip and Fall laws were enacted to help protect those who find themselves victims of such accidents. If you have been hurt as a result of a slip or fall, contact an experienced personal injury law firm today.