Michigan Trip and Fall Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a trip-and-fall accident, you’re not alone. These incidents happen unexpectedly and can leave you dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and the stress of figuring out what to do next. Whether it was an uneven sidewalk, a cluttered walkway, or another hazard, the aftermath of a fall can be overwhelming, especially if you suspect that someone else’s negligence was the cause. Contacting a Michigan trip-and-fall lawyer is essential to ensure your rights are protected.
As experienced Michigan trip-and-fall lawyers, we at Lipton Law understand the challenges you’re facing and are here to help. Our knowledgeable legal team is dedicated to getting you the fair compensation you deserve after a slip-and-fall accident. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trip-and-fall, contact Lipton Law today to schedule a free consultation about your slip-and-fall accident.
Trip-and-Fall Statistics in Michigan
According to data from 2021, over 24,000 Michigan residents went to the hospital for fall injuries or complications. Many of these fall accidents occur as a result of negligent property owners.
What Is a Trip-and-Fall Accident?
A trip-and-fall accident occurs when a person trips in an unsafe condition and falls, leading to injury. These accidents often happen due to hazards like uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways, or poor lighting. In most cases, a trip-and-fall incident falls under premises liability, meaning the property owner may be held responsible if they fail to maintain safe conditions or warn visitors of potential dangers.
Slip-and-Fall vs Trip-and-Fall
A slip-and-fall incident and a trip-and-fall accident are similar in that both involve a person losing balance and falling, potentially resulting in injuries. However, the key difference lies in the cause of the fall. In a slip-and-fall incident, the fall happens because of a slippery surface, such as a wet floor, spilled liquid, or icy pavement. These conditions cause the person’s foot to slide, leading to a sudden loss of balance.
On the other hand, a trip-and-fall occurs when someone stumbles over an obstruction or an uneven surface, such as a loose rug, cluttered walkway, or uneven pavement. In this type of accident, the person’s foot makes contact with an object that prevents their foot from moving forward, resulting in a fall. Both types of incidents can be grounds for a premises liability claim if a property owner’s negligence caused the unsafe condition.
Types of Trip-and-Fall Claims
In a slip-and-fall case, different types of falls can lead to various injuries, and understanding the distinctions between them is important when evaluating liability and potential compensation. Trip-and-fall claims generally fall into two main categories: same-level falls and elevated falls. Each type has its own unique characteristics and risks, and both can lead to significant harm depending on the circumstances.
Same-Level Falls
Same-level falls occur when a person trips and falls onto the same surface they were walking on. This type of fall is typically caused by hazards such as uneven flooring, loose carpeting, or cluttered walkways.
Although same-level falls may seem less dramatic than other types, they can still result in serious injuries, including broken bones, sprains, and head trauma. These incidents are quite common and can happen almost anywhere, making it essential for property owners to keep their premises safe and free from trip hazards.
Elevated Falls
Elevated falls occur when a person trips and falls from a height, such as from stairs, platforms, or ladders. Due to the increased distance between the person and the ground, elevated falls often lead to more severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or even death.
Elevated falls are particularly dangerous because of the force of impact, and property owners have a heightened responsibility to ensure that elevated areas, stairs, and ladders are properly maintained to prevent these types of accidents.
What Are Common Causes of Trip-and-Fall Accidents?
Trip-and-fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, and there are numerous potential causes that can lead to these incidents. Many of these accidents occur because a property owner failed to address hazardous conditions or did not provide adequate warnings to prevent harm. Understanding the common causes of trip-and-fall accidents is important in determining liability and ensuring that similar hazards are corrected in the future.
Uneven Surfaces
Uneven surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks, loose floorboards, or unexpected changes in flooring height, are a major cause of trip-and-fall incidents. When a person encounters an uneven surface without warning, they may lose their balance, leading to a fall incident that can cause injuries like sprained ankles or broken bones. It is essential for property owners to ensure that floors and walkways are properly maintained to prevent uneven surfaces from becoming a hazard.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting is another frequent cause of trip-and-fall accidents, especially in areas like staircases, hallways, and parking lots. When visibility is compromised due to inadequate lighting, individuals may not be able to see potential hazards clearly, increasing the risk of a fall. In personal injury cases involving poor lighting, the property owner may be held liable if they failed to provide adequate lighting or did not repair broken lights in a timely manner.
Loose Mats, Rugs, or Carpeting
Loose mats, rugs, or carpeting can easily become a tripping hazard, especially if they are not properly secured to the floor. When a mat or rug bunches up or shifts under a person walking, it can lead to a sudden loss of balance and a fall. Property owners should ensure that all mats, rugs, and carpeting are securely fastened to prevent them from causing accidents.
Cables and Cords
Cables and cords that are not properly secured or are strewn across walkways can pose a significant risk for trip-and-fall injuries. These hazards are particularly common in workplaces, offices, and homes, where electrical cords may be left unattended. Fall injuries resulting from tripping over cables and cords can be prevented by keeping walkways clear and using cord covers or clips to secure them.
Cluttered Walkways
Cluttered walkways are a common cause of trip-and-fall accidents, especially in areas where items are frequently left out of place, such as storage rooms or busy commercial spaces. When walkways are blocked by clutter, individuals may be forced to navigate around obstacles, increasing the risk of a trip. In many injury claims, the property owner is responsible for ensuring that walkways are clear and accessible to prevent such accidents.
Potholes
Potholes are a significant hazard in outdoor areas, particularly in parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways. If a person steps into a pothole unexpectedly, they may trip and fall, leading to injuries like sprains, fractures, or even more serious harm. Property owners are responsible for maintaining outdoor surfaces, including filling potholes, to ensure the safety of those walking on their premises.
Handrails in Disrepair
Handrails in disrepair are another major cause of trip-and-fall accidents, especially on stairs or ramps. If a handrail is loose, broken, or missing entirely, it can prevent individuals from safely using stairs, increasing the risk of falling. A property owner is responsible for maintaining all handrails in good condition to help prevent falls and ensure that visitors have adequate support while navigating stairs.
What Are Common Injuries in a Trip-and-Fall Incident?
Trip-and-fall incidents can result in a wide range of injuries, depending on factors like the type of surface, the way the person fell, and their age or physical condition. Even seemingly minor falls can lead to serious medical issues that require extensive treatment.
Fall injuries can impact a person’s daily life, causing physical pain, emotional distress, and financial burdens due to medical bills and lost income. Below are some of the most common injuries people sustain in trip-and-fall incidents:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Bruises and contusions
- Cuts and lacerations
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
What to Do After a Trip-and-Fall Accident
After experiencing a trip-and-fall accident, it’s important to take several key steps to protect your health and preserve your rights. These steps can make a significant difference in ensuring that you are properly compensated for your injuries. As experienced slip-and-fall lawyers, we at Lipton Law want to help guide you through this challenging time.
In the following sections, we outline what you should do after a trip-and-fall accident in Michigan.
Seek Medical Attention
First and foremost, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if your injuries initially seem minor, it’s crucial to have a medical professional evaluate you. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal issues, may not show immediate symptoms. A thorough medical examination also provides essential documentation of your injuries, which is crucial evidence if you decide to pursue a claim.
Collect Evidence
Next, make sure to collect evidence at the scene of the slip-and-fall incident. This includes taking photographs of the hazard that caused your fall, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. If there are any witnesses present, get their contact information, as their statements can be valuable in building your case. Reporting the incident to the property owner or manager is also vital—make sure they document the accident and ask for a copy of the report.
Report the Incident
Reporting the incident is a crucial step after a trip-and-fall accident. As soon as possible, notify the property owner, manager, or any responsible party in charge of the premises where your accident occurred. This creates an official record of the incident, which may be important for your claim. When you report the accident, provide the details of what happened, but avoid making any statements that could imply fault or minimize the seriousness of the situation.
Request a copy of the incident report for your records, as this documentation can serve as valuable evidence when pursuing compensation. This is especially true when dealing with insurance companies during your case. Taking this step helps establish that the accident occurred, which can be instrumental in building a strong case with your slip-and-fall lawyer.
Contact an Attorney
Contacting an experienced trip-and-fall lawyer is essential for protecting your legal rights. At Lipton Law, we are dedicated to helping individuals who have been injured in trip-and-fall accidents seek the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys can help you navigate the claims process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for your rights every step of the way. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trip-and-fall accident, contact Lipton Law today to schedule a consultation with a trip-and-fall accident lawyer and discuss your options.
Refrain from Making Statements
It’s also important to refrain from making statements about the accident, especially those that could be interpreted as accepting blame. Avoid discussing the accident in detail with the property owner or their insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Anything you say could be used against you later in the claims process, so it’s best to let your personal injury lawyer handle communications.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Michigan Trip-and-Fall Lawsuit?
If you’ve been injured in a trip-and-fall accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. In Michigan, individuals who have sustained injuries in these incidents can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible, financial losses, while non-economic damages account for the personal impact the injuries have had on your quality of life.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to compensate for the financial costs incurred due to the accident. These damages are typically easier to quantify, as they involve actual monetary expenses or losses. Some of the most common types of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Current and future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for the personal and emotional impact that a trip-and-fall injury can have on your life. These damages are more subjective and do not have a direct financial value but are just as important as economic damages. Some of the types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
How Can Our Michigan Trip-and-Fall Lawyers Help You?
The Michigan trip-and-fall lawyers at Lipton Law are dedicated to helping individuals who have been injured in accidents caused by unsafe conditions. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about your future. Our team is here to provide you with the legal support you need, from the initial investigation through to a potential settlement or trial, ensuring that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to gather crucial evidence, such as photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records, to build a strong case on your behalf. We will determine if the property owner or another party was negligent and establish their liability for your injuries. This meticulous approach allows us to effectively advocate for fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Additionally, we will handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters often try to settle claims for less than what an injured person deserves. Our lawyers will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, allowing you to focus on your recovery without the stress of dealing with insurers. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to fight for your rights and secure the justice you deserve.
Contact the Michigan Trip-and-Fall Attorneys at Lipton Law Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trip-and-fall accident in Detroit, it’s important to know that you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Lipton Law, we have extensive experience handling personal injury lawsuits and are committed to helping you navigate your claim. Our team is ready to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, and more.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. Don’t wait—contact the Michigan trip-and-fall attorneys at Lipton Law today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting your life back on track with a personal injury lawsuit.
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