Slip and fall injuries occur when something, whether a tripping hazard or a slippery surface, causes someone to hit a hard surface. While some injuries are minor, there are many times when serious injuries happen. If you fell due to a property owner’s negligence, our Kalamazoo slip and fall attorneys can hold them accountable.
The Kalamazoo personal injury lawyers at Christensen Law will be by your side throughout the legal process. We fight for fair compensation so you can pay medical bills and regain financial stability after a negligent party causes you harm. Contact us today to get started with a free review of your case.
What Should You Do After a Slip and Fall?
Whether your accident happens while shopping at Crossroads Mall or on someone’s private property, there are a few key steps to take to protect your health and legal rights.
Seek Medical Attention
Slip and falls can be dangerous. Getting a thorough diagnostic exam is essential so you can start on the road to recovery. Make sure you seek immediate medical help from an ER like Bronson Methodist Hospital or schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your regular doctor.
Report the Accident
If you are on a public or commercial property, report your fall to a manager or site supervisor as soon as possible. They will hopefully act to prevent others from encountering the same hazard and will also create an incident report that we can use for your accident claim.
Document Everything
If possible, take photos of the hazardous conditions which caused your fall. If there were caution signs (or a lack of them) take photos of this as well. Additionally, photograph any visible injuries you have.
In addition to visual documentation, you should also keep track of receipts and bills related to your injuries. You can also keep a log or journal of the emotional and mental impact of your injuries.
Avoid Talking to Insurance Companies on Your Own
If the property owners or their insurance company reaches out to you, have a lawyer present for any conversations. Do not sign anything without discussing it with your attorney.
If you do speak to an insurance adjuster, without your lawyer present, then avoid taking blame for the accident or apologizing for your actions. These innocent words can be used against you to deny or minimize your claim.
Why Choose Christensen Law for Your Kalamazoo Case?
Dealing with injuries and their effects on your life can be stressful and time-consuming. When you’re also facing complicated paperwork, trying to prove that a property owner was negligent, and communicating with insurance companies, everything can become overwhelming. A lawyer takes on the legal side, so you can focus on recovering.
Your lawyer can:
- Do a careful investigation of the accident, gathering evidence to support your claim
- File all necessary paperwork
- Handle all communication between the parties involved
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Offer guidance on settlement offers
- Create a personalized legal strategy for your case
- Answer your questions in a timely manner
- Represent you in court if needed
At Christensen Law, we’ve been the voice of the unheard since 1991. We listen to our clients’ stories and fight for them to get the compensation and justice they deserve. Our client testimonials speak to our dedication and care:
- “The attorneys and staff there are amazing and really care about their clients where you’re treated with care and not as a number.” –J.W.
- “From the first interaction with Christensen Law, it was a positive, wonderful experience! Dustin, Samantha and the entire staff, had my best interest at heart. They were kind, compassionate and helpful.” –S.S.
- “Everyone involved kept me informed throughout the process, answered all my questions promptly, and made what could have been a stressful situation much more manageable.” –G.I.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Slip and Fall Injury?
Slip or trip and falls can cause a range of injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Dislocated shoulders and other dislocated joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Depending on your injuries, you may have long-term medical needs. Spinal cord injuries, for example, can lead to paralysis and head trauma can cause cognitive impairments. These permanent disabilities may disrupt your ability to work or lead the life you once lived.
Our lawyers will look at the full scope of your losses and may consult medical experts about the long-term impact of your injuries. We seek fair and full compensation for your losses. You may be able to recover compensation for losses like:
- Medical expenses, both present and future
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Home modifications to accommodate a disability
- Mobility devices, such as a wheelchair or walker
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We will advocate for the maximum compensation you qualify for.
Why Is Proving Negligence Important for Your Case?
For a personal injury claim to be successful, you must prove that your accident was due to someone else’s negligence. This party (or their insurance company) is then who pays the compensation for your injuries.
In slip and fall cases, negligence can come in many forms. Some common examples are:
- Loose rugs or uneven flooring
- Spills
- Lack of adequate lighting (such as in parking lots)
- Tripping hazards, such as electrical cords
- Lack of proper caution signs warning of a hazardous condition
To prove that negligence occurred, your lawyer will investigate the accident. Some evidence that may be helpful for your case includes:
- Witness statements, such as from other customers or store workers
- Photos of the accident scene
- Video footage, such as from a cellphone or security cameras
- Incident reports
- Store records, such as past safety reports
We may also consult with accident reconstructionists who can use the evidence to determine how your fall was most likely to have happened.
What Michigan Laws Affect Your Case?
In slip and fall cases, you generally only have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit per Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805. This deadline can have exceptions to it, so talk to your lawyer if you have concerns about the timeframe.
In addition to the statute of limitations, another important law is Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule. Under Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959, you are eligible to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses if you are 50% or less at fault for your injuries. However, your percentage of fault proportionately reduced your recoverable compensation.
Under this law, if you are 51% or more at fault, then you cannot recover non-economic losses. The at-fault party may try to say you have a higher percentage of blame than you actually do in an attempt to reduce your compensation or deny it altogether. Our team will protect you against these tactics to seek the highest amount of compensation possible.
