Grand Rapids Premises Liability Lawyer

Key takeaways:

• • Property owners in Michigan have a legal duty to keep their premises safe, including parking lots, stores, apartment complexes, and sidewalks.
  • Victims of slip and fall accidents or other dangerous property conditions may be entitled to compensation if the owner fails to prevent injury.
  • A Grand Rapids premises liability lawyer helps prove negligence, deal with insurance companies, and pursue full and fair recovery under Michigan law.

Grand Rapids Premises Liability Lawyer Guide

• What Is Premises Liability in Michigan?
• Michigan Laws That Affect Your Case
• Common Injuries in Michigan Premises Liability Cases
• Steps to Take After Returning Home From a Premises Accident
• Why Premises Liability Claims Are Challenging in Michigan
• Compensation Available in a Premises Liability Case
• Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your Legal Needs?
• How a Grand Rapids Premises Liability Lawyer Builds Your Case
• Grand Rapids Premises Liability FAQs
• Take Back Control: Your Recovery Starts Here

A Simple Errand Shouldn’t End in the Emergency Room.

Property owners in Grand Rapids have a duty to keep their premises safe. When they cut corners, the consequences can be catastrophic.

• A spill left unattended.
• An icy patch that was never salted.
• A crumbling staircase that was never repaired.
• Poor lighting in a dangerous parking lot.

This isn’t just an accident, it’s negligence. And you shouldn’t be the one paying the price for it. While you’re dealing with injuries and mounting bills, powerful insurance companies are already working to minimize their payout.

You need an advocate who will stand up for you. 

As Grand Rapids premises liability attorneys, we demand accountability and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Don’t let their mistake dictate your future.

What Is Premises Liability in Michigan?

Premises liability is the legal principle that property owners and managers must keep their spaces reasonably safe. When they fail, and someone is injured as a result, the victim may pursue compensation.

Types of premises liability cases in Grand Rapids include:

• Slip and fall accidents: Liquids on grocery store floors, spilled drinks in restaurants, or freshly mopped areas without warning signs.
• Snow and ice accidents: Parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks not properly salted or plowed.
• Trip hazards: Uneven concrete on downtown sidewalks, broken tiles in office buildings, or cluttered store aisles.
• Defective stairs or railings: Collapsing steps or loose banisters in apartment complexes.
• Inadequate lighting: Poorly lit parking garages or stairwells that hide dangers.
• Negligent security: Failing to provide cameras, locks, or guards in high-risk areas, leading to assaults or theft.
• Falling merchandise: Items stacked too high in warehouses or retail stores like Meijer or Costco.
• Construction site hazards: Exposed wires, unsecured scaffolding, or debris left in walkways.

To succeed in a Michigan premises liability claim, you must prove:

1. The property owner owed you a duty of care as a visitor.
2. The duty was breached by failing to fix or warn about a dangerous condition.
3. The hazardous condition directly caused your injuries.
4. You suffered measurable damages like medical costs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

These cases often hinge on whether the property owner acted reasonably. A skilled attorney knows how to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and prove negligence under Michigan law.

Michigan Laws That Affect Your Case

Every state handles premises liability differently. In Michigan, several specific rules shape whether you can recover compensation:

• “Shared Fault” in Michigan Injury Cases: In Michigan, more than one party can be held responsible for an accident. This concept of shared responsibility is a critical factor in any premises liability claim and can affect the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive.

Don’t assume you don’t have a case just because you think you might be partially to blame. The laws governing this are nuanced and subject to change. 

The best way to understand your rights is to discuss the specific details of your accident with an experienced attorney who can provide insight based on the most current laws and interpretations.

• • Statute of Limitations: Michigan law gives you 3 years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim.
  • Snow and ice responsibility: Winter weather is expected in Grand Rapids, but property owners must still take steps like plowing, salting, or warning visitors. They cannot simply ignore hazardous conditions.
  • A landmark change in Michigan law that helps your case

The “open and obvious” rule was the biggest hurdle for injury victims for decades. Property owners could often avoid responsibility by claiming a hazard was so obvious that you should have avoided it.

That is no longer the case.

In a landmark 2023 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned this outdated doctrine. Now, the fact that a danger was “obvious” is no longer a complete barrier to your claim. It is simply one factor to be considered when determining fault. 

This monumental shift levels the playing field and makes it easier to hold negligent property owners accountable. It is crucial to work with an attorney who understands the nuances of this new legal landscape and can use it to your advantage.

Common Injuries in Michigan Premises Liability Cases

A simple slip. A broken step. A poorly lit hallway. The causes of a premises liability accident often sound minor, but the consequences are anything but. The force of a sudden fall or impact can be devastating, leading to injuries that require extensive surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent changes to your lifestyle. 

These are not minor incidents; they are serious medical events caused by preventable negligence.

• Broken arms, wrists, or legs from slip and fall accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries from hitting your head on concrete
• Spinal cord injuries from falling down defective staircases
• Deep cuts, bruises, or internal bleeding
• Long-term disabilities requiring home modifications or attendant care

These injuries can lead to months of treatment, lost paychecks, and emotional stress. Michigan law exists to give you a chance at recovery when negligence plays a role.

Steps to Take After Returning Home From a Premises Accident

Many victims make mistakes after accidents that weaken their claims. What you do at home after medical treatment matters.

1. Write down what happened: Note the time, location, weather conditions, and how the accident occurred. Include whether warning signs or lighting were missing.
2. Preserve evidence: Save the shoes and clothing you were wearing. Keep photos of the scene, the hazard, and your injuries.
3. Collect paperwork: Save medical bills, prescriptions, and discharge instructions. They prove both treatment and costs.
4. Document lost wages: Ask your employer for a statement confirming missed work days and income lost.
5. Stay off social media: Insurance adjusters often monitor accounts for posts they can use against you.
6. Contact a lawyer quickly: Conditions change, witnesses disappear, and evidence fades. An attorney can act before it’s too late.

Why Premises Liability Claims Are Challenging in Michigan

Property owners and insurers fight hard to avoid paying claims. They may try to shift blame or use legal defenses that confuse victims.

Common tactics include:

• Arguing the hazard was open and obvious, so you should have seen it
• Claiming you were distracted by your phone or not watching where you stepped
• Suggesting the property owner did not have enough time to correct the hazard
• Downplaying your injuries or blaming them on prior medical issues

These defenses make premises liability cases tough without experienced legal help. 

A Grand Rapids premises liability lawyer collects maintenance logs, interviews witnesses, and uses experts to counter these arguments.

Compensation Available in Premises Liability Cases

Injuries from unsafe property affect more than your health—they disrupt your entire life. Michigan law allows victims to pursue damages covering economic and non-economic losses.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital stays, rehabilitation, surgery, and medications
• Lost wages: Paychecks missed while you heal, plus future earning potential if your injury reduces your ability to work
• Pain and suffering: The physical pain and emotional toll of living with an injury
• Loss of enjoyment of life: No longer being able to participate in hobbies, sports, or family activities
• Permanent disability support: Home modifications, mobility aids, or attendant care if needed

Insurance companies often offer far less than a case is worth. An attorney ensures your claim reflects the full impact on your life, now and in the future.

Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your Legal Needs?

You deserve more than a lawyer when you’re hurt in a premises liability accident. You deserve a fierce advocate who understands your challenges and fights for your recovery.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Proven success: We’ve secured major settlements and verdicts for injured Michiganders in slip and fall and other premises liability claims.
• Michigan law mastery: From the open and obvious doctrine to comparative fault rules, we know how to overcome defense tactics.
• Local roots: With offices in Grand Rapids, Southfield, and Sterling Heights, we are deeply connected to Michigan courts, communities, and juries.
• Personal focus: We treat clients like people, not files. You’ll always have direct communication and updates about your case.
• Aggressive representation: Insurance companies try to cut costs at your expense. We push back and fight until you receive fair compensation.

Choosing the right lawyer means choosing strength, guidance, and relentless dedication to your recovery.

How a Grand Rapids Premises Liability Lawyer Builds Your Case
Winning a case requires more than pointing to a hazard—it requires building a compelling story with facts and law.

Steps we take include:

1. Investigating the scene: Photographing hazards, checking lighting, or reviewing maintenance records.
2. Interviewing witnesses: Speaking to store employees, neighbors, or fellow customers who saw the accident.
3. Reviewing medical documentation: Linking your injuries directly to the accident and disproving insurer claims of preexisting conditions.
4. Hiring experts: Engineers, medical professionals, or safety specialists may testify about how unsafe the property was or the severity of your injuries.
5. Negotiating settlements: Ensuring insurance offers reflect medical costs, lost wages, and future care needs.
6. Litigating if necessary: If negotiations fail, presenting your case before a Michigan jury and fighting for maximum compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take Back Control: Your Recovery Starts Here

Dangerous property conditions cause real harm, but you don’t have to carry the burden alone. If you were injured because someone in Grand Rapids failed to keep their property safe, you have the right to take action.

With offices in Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Sterling Heights, Goodman Acker PC is ready to stand by your side, investigate your case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call today for a free consultation:

• • • Southfield: (248) 831-1507
    • Grand Rapids: (616) 333-8302
    • Sterling Heights: (586) 261-8457

Your recovery. Your future. Your fight. We’re here to win it with you.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Grand Rapids Office Location

1500 E Beltline Ave SE #235

Grand Rapids, MI 49506

(248) 965-0816

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]