Skilled Grand Rapids Slip-And-Fall Attorneys
Property owners have a duty and a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe for all invited guests. But when these duties are neglected, guests can suffer and become severely injured. In situations like this, injury victims deserve honest support from a caring slip-and-fall injury lawyer who will act quickly to construct their case and prove their injuries resulted from the hazardous conditions allowed to be on the premises.
At Mabbitt Bhimani Law, we have deep knowledge of premises liability cases and have helped many injured Grand Rapids and Michigan residents successfully secure settlements that cover all of their losses and expenses. We know injury victims need compassionate assistance during troubling times, and we will be there to guide our clients past each obstacle to ensure they feel supported and have their voices heard.
What Is Considered A Slip-And-Fall Accident?
In Michigan, a slip-and-fall accident occurs when an individual becomes injured on another person’s or business’s property due to unsafe conditions. To prove that a careless property owner caused your injuries, work with your attorney to gather evidence of the following:
- Hazardous conditions existed: To show evidence that the owner allowed a dangerous condition to exist, it is wise to take photos of the property, talk to witnesses and collect repair records or incident reports.
- The owner had knowledge of the hazard: Proving the owner knew about the hazardous condition of their property can be done by obtaining past complaints, gathering evidence of previous falls on the premises or having evidence that proves the hazard was present for an extended period of time.
- You were legally allowed to be on the premises: This aspect of a slip-and-fall case, otherwise referred to as a premises liability case, might be the easiest to prove. As long as you can show you were invited to the property and did not trespass, your case will still be in good standing.
- The owner failed to maintain their property: Documenting the state of the property over a long period of time can show the owner was negligent in maintaining a safe condition on their premises. Receiving repair records for the property can also help you prove how long the dangerous condition was allowed to exist.
- Your injury was caused by hazardous conditions: This last condition of the case relates to you having evidence that the dangerous condition of the premises directly caused your injuries. To strengthen your claim, your medical records and the doctor’s testimony should be used in court.
Injury victims who are able to prove that each of these five conditions existed are likely to have a strong case. To increase your ability to obtain compensation for your injuries, consider seeking guidance from a Michigan slip-and-fall lawyer.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Slip-And-Fall Accidents?
To ensure your slip-and-fall injury case is valid in the eyes of the law, we will work to find evidence of what actually caused your suffering. Here are some of the most common causes of slip-and-fall injuries:
- Slipping on ice
- Damaged stairways
- Lack of handrails
- Wet floors
- Damaged sidewalks
- Poor visibility or lighting
Each of these factors can contribute to a dangerous environment and lead to serious injuries for Michigan residents. After suffering a slip-and-fall injury, be sure to collect evidence of any pertinent information or hazards on the property and reach out to a slip-and-fall lawyer for further guidance.
Do I Have A Case For A Slip And Fall On Snow And Ice?
Icy and snowy conditions are a common factor in many slip-and-fall cases in Michigan. While these cases can be challenging, we are adept at handling these types of lawsuits and obtaining evidence to back up our clients’ claims. Finding evidence showing the property owner failed to live up to their legal obligations may require testimony from weather experts and even meteorologists. These professionals will be able to inform the court about when the winter storm that caused the injury started and when it ended. This will show whether the owner had enough time to take care of the hazardous conditions on the property.
What To Do After A Slip And Fall
Insufficient evidence can make it difficult to prove that an unsafe property caused your injury. However, victims can fortify their legal claim by immediately taking these steps after a slip-and-fall injury:
- Photographing the accident scene: By documenting the site of the accident, injury victims can prove the environment they were in was, in fact, dangerous. Photo evidence of the scene will also prevent the property owner from fixing the hazardous condition before the legal process can begin.
- Completing an incident report: Completing an incident report gives you the opportunity to lay out all of the facts related to your injury. This report will be sent to the insurance company of the property owner, so be sure the report is comprehensive and contains all pieces of evidence.
- Gathering witness information: In the event that you find yourself going to court over your injuries, having testimony supporting your side of things can be invaluable. Be sure to talk to witnesses and record their statements.
- Informing medical professionals about the cause of your injury: When medical workers complete their reports about the incident, they will include any information you provide them. This can be beneficial in court and potentially help you obtain compensation.
Michigan accident victims who remember to follow these tips after suffering an injury and hire a slip-and-fall lawyer can make the entire legal process easier on themselves and be one step closer to securing justice.
Learn If We Can Handle Your Slip-And-Fall Case
When you are injured due to the hazardous conditions found on a property, you have options for defending yourself. We are experienced in premises liability cases and holding property owners accountable for their lack of care. To obtain straightforward guidance from local slip-and-fall lawyers, contact our firm by calling 616-326-1111 or emailing our staff.