Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Sterling Heights

Key takeaways:

• Under Michigan law, property owners are legally responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors. They may be liable if you fail this duty and are injured.
• The evidence you gather after a fall is foundational to a successful claim. This includes photographs of the scene, contact information for witnesses, and detailed medical records documenting your injuries.
• Michigan law generally gives you three years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting can weaken your case. Acting promptly is always the best course of action.

It happens faster than you can process. Your footing vanishes, and suddenly the hard reality of a floor or pavement rushes up to meet you. Whether in a busy retail center on Hall Road or a quiet neighborhood parking lot, the result is the same: sudden, debilitating pain followed by a wave of confusion.

This was not a simple misstep. It was the direct consequence of a hazard that never should have existed—a spill left unattended, a broken step left unrepaired, or a patch of ice ignored. This injury was not your fault, and its financial burden should not be yours to bear alone.

When a property owner’s carelessness upends your life, a Sterling Heights slip and fall lawyer provides the path to hold them accountable. This is about more than a claim; it is about reclaiming your financial stability and demanding that public safety be taken seriously.

Guide to Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Lawyer Content

• What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury in Sterling Heights
• Establishing Liability in a Michigan Slip and Fall Case
• Common Causes of Falls Handled by a Slip and Fall Attorney
• Types of Compensation Available for Your Sterling Heights Injury Claim
• Why Choose Goodman Acker? Your Advocates in Michigan
• A Critical Change in Michigan Law for Injury Victims
• Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Claims
• Reclaim Your Stability After a Fall

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury in Sterling Heights

After receiving initial medical care at a place like Henry Ford Macomb Hospital or your local urgent care and returning home, your actions can significantly influence the outcome of your injury claim.

The time immediately following the incident is when crucial evidence and information are most accessible. Follow these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

Document every detail you remember:

As soon as you are able, write down everything you can recall about the incident. Your memory is a vital piece of evidence.

• What day and time did the fall happen?
• Where exactly did it occur on the property?
• What were the weather conditions if you were outside?
• What was the lighting like?
• What specific hazard caused you to slip or trip?
• Did anyone from the property (an employee or manager) speak with you? What did they say?
• Were there any witnesses? If you have their names or contact information, write it down.

Preserve key physical evidence:

The items you were wearing can serve as proof in your case.

• Place the shoes and clothing you had on at the time of the fall in a secure bag.
• Do not wash them or wear them again.
• These items may show traces of the substance that caused your fall or demonstrate the condition of the footwear, which can be relevant to your claim.

Follow all medical advice diligently:

Your primary focus should be on your physical recovery. This also creates a clear record of your injuries.

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with doctors, specialists, and physical therapists.
• Fill all prescriptions and take medications as directed.
• If your doctor recommends medical devices like crutches or a brace, be sure to use them.
• Failing to follow a doctor’s treatment plan can be used by an insurance company to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.

Establishing Liability in a Michigan Slip and Fall Case

Proving that a property owner is legally responsible for your injuries is the central challenge in a premises liability claim. In Michigan, property owners are not automatically liable just because someone gets hurt on their property. You must demonstrate that they were negligent.

This involves showing four specific elements are true:

• A duty of care existed: The property owner owed you, as a lawful visitor (an invitee or licensee), a duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition.
• The duty was breached: The property owner failed in this duty by either creating a dangerous condition, knowing about a dangerous condition and not fixing it, or failing to discover a dangerous condition that a reasonable owner would have found.
• Causation: This breach of duty was the direct and primary cause of your slip and fall accident and the injuries you sustained.
• Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, as a result of the fall.

Common Causes of Falls Handled by a Slip and Fall Attorney

Negligent conditions can exist anywhere, from large retail centers along M-59 to small neighborhood businesses, apartment complexes, or public parks in Sterling Heights.

A dedicated slip and fall attorney frequently handles cases arising from various hazards. Some common causes include:

• Wet or slippery floors from spills, mopping, or tracked-in rain or snow without proper mats or warning signs.
• Icy or snowy sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways that were not properly salted or cleared in a timely manner.
• Poorly lit stairwells, hallways, or outdoor paths that hide tripping hazards.
• Broken or uneven pavement, curbs, or flooring tiles.
• Torn carpets, loose floorboards, or bunched-up rugs.
• Cluttered aisles or merchandise left in walkways in a store like Walmart.
• Defective or missing handrails on staircases.

Types of Compensation Available for Your Sterling Heights Injury Claim

If you can successfully prove that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries, you are entitled to seek compensation, known as damages, for the harm you have suffered.

Calculating your economic damages

Economic damages are intended to reimburse you for all of the direct financial losses and costs you have incurred because of your injury. These are tangible losses that can be proven with bills, receipts, and financial records.

Your claim can include compensation for:

• All medical expenses: This covers everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to surgeries, hospital stays, follow-up doctor appointments, physical therapy, and prescription medications. It also includes anticipated future medical care.
• Lost wages: You can recover the income you lost while you were unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your previous job or from working at all, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of your future ability to earn a living.
• Out-of-pocket costs: This includes any other expenses you had to pay because of your injury, such as the cost of transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or medical equipment.

Pursuing non-economic damages for your fall

Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, non-financial ways the injury has impacted your life. These losses are very real, and they acknowledge the human cost of a serious fall.

You may be able to secure compensation for:

• Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain, discomfort, and general suffering your injuries have caused.
• Emotional Distress: This includes the mental anguish, anxiety, depression, or fear that often follows a traumatic and painful event.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or family events that you once enjoyed, you can be compensated for this loss.
• Permanent Scarring or Disfigurement: Compensation is available for visible scars or physical disfigurements that alter your appearance.

Why Choose Goodman Acker? Your Advocates in Michigan

After a serious fall, you need a legal team with the right combination of local knowledge, legal acumen, and dedication.

At Goodman Acker P.C., we are committed to providing exceptional representation to the residents of Sterling Heights and the surrounding communities. Here is why so many people in your situation choose our firm:

• Deep roots in Michigan law: Our attorneys have spent decades focused on Michigan personal injury law. We have a thorough command of the state’s premises liability statutes, including the nuances of the “open and obvious” doctrine and how to overcome it.
• A history of success: We have a proven record of securing substantial settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, a strategy that puts us in a position of strength during negotiations and in the courtroom.
• Local and convenient: With our office located right here in Sterling Heights, we are a part of your community. We are familiar with the local courts, businesses, and properties in Macomb County, giving you a hometown advantage.
• Personalized client attention: You are not just another case number to us. We believe in building a strong attorney-client relationship based on trust and communication. We take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you informed every step of the way.
• The no-fee guarantee: We handle all slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no attorney fees unless and until we successfully recover financial compensation for you. This allows you to pursue justice without any upfront financial risk.

A Critical Change in Michigan Law for Injury Victims

For many years, legitimate slip and fall claims in Michigan faced a significant legal barrier. Property owners could often avoid responsibility by arguing that a hazard was “open and obvious,” suggesting that a person should have seen and avoided the danger on their own.

This rule resulted in the dismissal of many valid cases, leaving injured people without recourse.

In a landmark 2023 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court fundamentally altered this standard. The court recognized that the old rule placed an unfair burden on the injured party.

Today, the law is clear: a property owner’s duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors is not eliminated just because a hazard might be considered open and obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Slip and Fall Claims

Reclaim Your Stability After a Fall

A fall caused by someone else’s negligence can leave you feeling powerless, but you have the right to seek justice and secure the resources you need for a full recovery.

Taking action allows you to hold the responsible property owner accountable and obtain the compensation necessary to cover your medical bills, lost income, and suffering. You do not have to face this challenge alone.

The legal team at Goodman Acker P.C. is ready to stand by your side. With a convenient office in Sterling Heights and additional locations in Southfield and Grand Rapids, we are positioned to help injured people across Michigan.

Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Let us help you get back on your feet.
Call our Sterling Heights office now at (586) 261-8457.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Sterling Heights Office Location

13854 Lakeside Cir suite 240

Sterling Heights , MI 48075

(586) 261-8457

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 ]