Slip-And-Fall And Premises Liability Lawyer In Michigan
At Cheltenham Law, PLLC, we represent individuals throughout the State of Michigan who have been injured due to dangerous or unsafe property conditions. Lead attorney Colline Cheltenham and her legal team work directly with clients to protect their rights, hold negligent property owners accountable, and pursue the full and fair compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.
If you have been hurt as a result of an auto accident, dog bite or dangerous property, we can help you seek relief through personal injury claims. If you want to prepare for the future through proactive estate plan drafting, we can assist you with every step. If you or a family member are charged with a crime, we can help you navigate the criminal judicial system. When you need direct advocacy and honest answers from a skilled lawyer, Cheltenham Law, PLLC, is here for you.
Dangerous Property Hazards We Handle
Premises liability involves much more than a simple slip on a wet floor. We build strong cases across many types of unsafe property conditions, such as:
- Store and business falls: We hold retailers accountable for uncleaned spills, leaking coolers, cluttered aisles and wet entrance floors that lead to slip-and-fall injuries.
- Apartment and rental negligence: We take action when landlords fail to clear icy walkways, neglect stairwells or leave broken handrails unrepaired.
- Structural and walkway hazards: We protect visitors hurt by cracked pavement, dark staircases, uneven floors or uncontained construction areas.
- Inadequate security: We hold commercial property owners responsible if broken locks, poor lighting or missing cameras lead to preventable assaults.
Taking action early allows us to secure critical evidence like store maintenance logs, security footage and incident reports before they disappear.
How Michigan’s ‘Open And Obvious’ Law Changed In Your Favor
For over 20 years, property owners routinely dismissed injury claims by arguing that a hazard was “open and obvious.” This means you should have seen and avoided it yourself.
The Michigan Supreme Court overturned this rule. Today, whether a danger was visible no longer automatically destroys your lawsuit. Instead, judges and juries use comparative fault to weigh all facts fairly. This means even if an owner claims you should have noticed a hazard, you could still be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Six Steps To Take Right After A Property Injury
If you suffer an injury on someone else’s property, taking these steps right away will protect your health and strengthen your legal claim:
- Report the incident immediately: Tell the store manager, landlord or property owner before you leave, and ask for a written report.
- Photograph the hazard: Take clear pictures and videos of the exact danger (such as an icy patch or spill) and your visible injuries.
- Collect witness information: Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw you fall or noticed the hazard earlier.
- Get medical care right away: Visit urgent care or an emergency room, and explain to the doctor exactly how your injury happened.
- Save your clothing and shoes: Keep the unwashed footwear and clothes you wore during the fall in a safe place.
- Consult a lawyer before talking to insurance: Do not give recorded statements or sign settlement forms without legal advice.
Taking these steps early protects crucial evidence and prevents insurance adjusters from blaming you for your injuries.
Common Premises Liability Questions
Dealing with a property injury brings up questions about fault, evidence and your rights under Michigan law.
Can I still receive compensation if I was partially at fault for my fall?
Generally, yes. Michigan uses a modified comparative fault system to analyze awards to succeeding Plaintiffs. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault for not seeing a hazard, your payout would likely be reduced by 20%. You could still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault.
How do you prove a property owner knew about a dangerous condition?
We gather as much evidence as possible, including eyewitnesses who may have observed the dangerous condition or may know the owner of the property. Some forms of evidence we might gather from cases with Defendants who are businesses are maintenance records, employee logs, security camera footage and witness statements. This evidence could help prove the owner, or individuals maintaining the building, either created the hazard, knew it was there or should have discovered it through routine inspections.
Take Control Of Your Legal Recovery Today
Do not let property owners or insurance companies blame you for an accident caused by their neglect. Contact Cheltenham Law, PLLC, today to schedule a free, private consultation. Call us at our law office in East Lansing at 517-652-0007 or send us a message and start fighting for the compensation you deserve.