Premises Liability Injuries – Berkley’s

“Premises liability” under Michigan law means property owners and managers must keep their premises reasonably safe for people who are lawfully there—shoppers, tenants, guests, contractors, and the general public. When unsafe conditions are created, ignored, or not fixed in time—like ice and snow that isn’t treated, broken steps or handrails, poor lighting, hidden hazards, spills, defective sidewalks, or lax security—and someone gets hurt, the owner can be held responsible for the injuries and losses that follow.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we’ve represented neighbors across Berkley and Metro Detroit for more than two decades in slip and fall, trip and fall, and dangerous property cases involving stores, apartment complexes, offices, parking lots, and public spaces. We know how to prove what the owner knew or should have known, how long a hazard existed, and how that danger changed your life. As Berkley’s Community Law Firm, our entire team works your case—from obtaining incident reports, surveillance, and maintenance logs to coordinating medical proof—so you can focus on healing.

Our promise is simple: Your Rights First. We explain your options in plain English, keep you updated at every step, and push for full and fair compensation for medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring/disfigurement, and future needs. If you were hurt on someone else’s property in Berkley or the surrounding communities, we’re ready to help—professionally, compassionately, and with the local commitment you expect from your community law firm.

Common Types of Premises Liability Cases

Slip, Trip & Fall (Ice, Snow, Wet Floors, Clutter)

Uncleared ice/snow, spilled liquids, uneven pavement, loose mats, or aisle clutter can cause serious falls. We secure incident reports, maintenance logs, weather records, and surveillance to show the hazard existed long enough that the owner should have fixed it.

Inadequate Security / Criminal Acts on Property

Owners of apartments, parking lots, and businesses must take reasonable security measures (lighting, locks, cameras, trained staff) when crime is foreseeable. We investigate prior incidents and security policies to prove preventable harm.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Failures like missing lifeguards, broken gates, defective drains, or lack of signage lead to drownings and injuries. We obtain inspection records and applicable safety codes to establish liability.

Elevator, Escalator & Stairway Hazards

Misleveled elevators, sudden stops, defective escalators, broken steps/handrails, and poor lighting create risks. Our team works with engineering and code experts to document violations and mechanical defects.

Dog Bites or Animals on the Premises

Businesses and landlords must address known dangerous animals on their property. In addition to Michigan’s dog-bite rules, we pursue claims where failure to warn or remove a risk causes injury.

Negligent Maintenance (Roof Collapse, Broken Handrails, Lighting, etc.)

Long-ignored leaks, structural decay, exposed wiring, and burned-out lights can cause catastrophic harm. We gather work orders, repair histories, and tenant complaints to show notice and neglect.

Michigan Law & Property Owner Duties

Duty of Care

Property owners, businesses, and landlords must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for people who are lawfully there—customers, tenants, delivery drivers, contractors, and invited guests. That duty includes:

• Inspecting for hazards (ice, spills, broken steps, poor lighting)
• Fixing dangerous conditions within a reasonable time
• Warning visitors when dangers can’t be fixed right away (cones, signs, barriers)

Notice & Foreseeability

To hold an owner responsible, we show the hazard was known or should have been known:

• Actual notice: They knew about the danger (prior complaints, incident reports, work orders).
• Constructive notice: The hazard existed long enough that a reasonable owner should have discovered and fixed it (e.g., ice that formed hours earlier, a leak that’s been reported for weeks).
• Foreseeability: Was the risk predictable (e.g., recurring icy entryways, dim parking-lot lighting where prior incidents occurred)?

Comparative Negligence

Michigan uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re partly responsible (e.g., distracted walking, inappropriate footwear), your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering certain damages (like pain and suffering). 

What You Should Do After a Premises Injury

1) Seek Medical Care & Document Injuries

• Get treated immediately (ER, urgent care, or your doctor).
• Tell providers how and where the injury happened so records link it to the incident.
• Save everything: discharge papers, imaging, prescriptions, bills.
• Photograph injuries now and as they heal; note pain limits in a brief journal.

2) Report the Accident

• Notify the property owner/manager or building management before you leave if possible.
• Ask for an incident report and request a copy or the report number.
• Note the date, time, area, and any employees you spoke with.

3) Gather Evidence

• Photos/video: the hazard (ice, spill, broken step, poor lighting), warning signs (or lack thereof), shoes you wore, and the wider scene.
• Witnesses: names and phone numbers; a short note of what they saw.
• Save your footwear/clothing—don’t wash or repair.
• Keep a list of maintenance staff or tenants who mention prior issues.

4) Preserve the Hazard (Only If Safe)

• If it’s portable (e.g., a loose mat), photograph and secure it.
• If not portable (ice, lighting, stairs), get wide and close-up photos and note weather, lighting, and time.
• Avoid altering the scene; your goal is to document, not fix.

5) Call Berkley’s Community Law Firm

Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick at 248-584-1300 or 1-855-LISS-LAW (547-7529) for a free consultation. We’ll:

• Explain Michigan’s premises liability rules in plain English.
• Send preservation letters for surveillance, maintenance logs, and inspection records.
• Handle insurers and build the evidence so you can focus on recovery—Your Rights First from day one.

FAQ: Premises Liability in Michigan (Berkley, MI)

What qualifies as a premises liability claim in Michigan?

If you were lawfully on someone else’s property and were hurt by an unsafe condition—like ice/snow buildup, wet floors, broken steps/handrails, poor lighting, hidden hazards, or inadequate security—you may have a premises liability claim. The key questions are whether the owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to fix or warn about it. We’ll evaluate the facts and evidence to put Your Rights First.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Michigan?

Generally, three (3) years from the date of injury. Some circumstances (e.g., claims involving minors or certain governmental entities) can change deadlines, notice requirements, or procedures. Call us promptly so we can preserve evidence and protect your timeline.

How much compensation can I expect from a premises injury claim?

It depends on the severity of your injuries and the evidence of negligence. Recoverable damages can include medical bills and future care, lost wages/earning capacity, pain and suffering, scarring/disfigurement, and other losses. We build a comprehensive damages package so the insurer must consider the full impact on your life.

How much does it cost to hire LSM to handle this kind of claim?

Your consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee—you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We explain fees and potential case costs up front, in writing. As Berkley’s Community Law Firm, our promise is simple: Your Rights First.

Contact Berkley Premises Liability Lawyers Today – Free Consultation

Hurt on unsafe property? Get local counsel that puts Your Rights First.

Call: 248-584-1300 • Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (547-7529)
Visit: Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (after-hours by appointment)

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No pressure. No upfront fees. If we don’t recover for you, you don’t pay attorney fees. As Berkley’s Community Law Firm, we’re ready to help today.

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