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Michigan winters can turn dangerous in a matter of minutes. A light snowfall in the morning can transform into icy patches by afternoon, and parking lots that appear clear one hour can become slick the next. Commercial properties, apartment complexes, office buildings, retail centers, and even residential sidewalks often become hazardous far more quickly than most people realize. In these conditions, pedestrians, employees, delivery drivers, and customers depend on property owners and their maintenance contractors to take safety seriously.
Yet every winter, slip-and-fall victims hear the same familiar responses: “We salted earlier,” “We plowed last night,” “We did everything we could,” or “The ice must have formed again.” Winter maintenance is one of the most frequently disputed issues in premises liability cases. Property owners and contractors often deny responsibility or insist they took “reasonable steps” to prevent hazards.
This is where documentation becomes critical. Plow logs, salt logs, and maintenance records can reveal what truly happened in the hours—or days—before an accident. These records may show that snowplows never came, salting was skipped, or contractors failed to follow their own protocols.
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we value integrity, clarity, and a client-first approach. Our team uses a meticulous, evidence-based investigative process to uncover the truth in winter slip-and-fall cases. We know how to obtain these logs, interpret them, and pair them with weather data, witness statements, and expert analysis to build a compelling case for our clients.
Understanding Snow & Ice Liability in Michigan
Legal Duty of Property Owners
Under Michigan law, property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for anyone lawfully on their property. This duty applies to:
- Residential landlords, who must keep common areas safe
- Commercial businesses, such as grocery stores and shopping centers
- Public properties, including municipal sidewalks and government buildings
Winter conditions complicate these responsibilities. While the “open and obvious” doctrine sometimes limits claims, Michigan courts also recognize that snow and ice can create unavoidable or unreasonably dangerous conditions—especially when owners fail to take timely or adequate action.
Role of Snow Removal Contractors
Many property owners hire professional snow removal contractors to plow, salt, and monitor conditions. These contractors typically operate under detailed service agreements spelling out:
- When plowing must occur (e.g., after one or two inches of accumulation)
- How often salting should be performed
- What temperature thresholds require de-icing
- Whether the contractor must return to treat refreeze conditions
Contractors may be held liable when they fail to perform the work they agreed to, perform it negligently, or create hazards through improper plowing—such as leaving ruts, drifts, or melt-and-refreeze runoff.
What Plow and Salt Logs Are
Plow logs are records documenting when plowing occurred, where it occurred, and for how long. They may include timestamps, route details, and notes about weather or surface conditions.
Salt logs track the application of de-icing materials—salt, brine, sand, or a combination. They typically show:
- When salting occurred
- How much material was used
- The areas treated
- Observations about ice, snow, or refreeze
These records are often key pieces of evidence in establishing whether a property was maintained responsibly.
Who Keeps These Logs
Several parties may maintain plow and salt logs, including:
- Property management companies responsible for tenant safety
- Snow removal contractors hired to perform seasonal maintenance
- Municipal crews maintaining public sidewalks and streets
- Security or facility supervisors who monitor conditions and document hazards
Knowing where logs are stored and who controls them is essential for preserving evidence.
Why Logs Exist
These documents serve important operational and legal purposes:
- Contract compliance: Contractors must show they met their obligations.
- Billing and time tracking: Logs justify invoicing for plowing and salting.
- Liability protection: Owners and contractors use logs to defend against claims.
But these same logs can reveal gaps, omissions, and inconsistencies—powerful proof that conditions were not handled properly before a fall.
How Plow and Salt Logs Can Prove Negligence
Establishing Timing
One of the most critical questions in a snow and ice case is whether a property was serviced at the right time. Logs help establish:
- Whether the property was serviced before or after the fall
A log showing salting after an accident suggests the hazard existed when the victim fell. - Gaps in service during active snowfall or refreeze conditions
Long intervals between treatments often indicate the property was left unsafe. - Lack of treatment during known icy weather alerts
When meteorologists issue freeze warnings, reasonable maintenance should follow. Missing entries during these periods can be powerful evidence.
Showing Inadequate Treatment
Even when contractors appear to have made service visits, the logs may reveal that those efforts were insufficient.
- Logs showing only plowing but no salting
Plowing alone often leaves a thin, dangerous layer of compacted snow or ice. - Minimal material application, insufficient for conditions
For severe cold, heavier salting or alternative de-icing materials are required. - Failure to revisit the area despite ongoing hazards
Persistent refreeze conditions demand repeated treatments—one visit rarely solves the issue.
Revealing Missed Contractual Obligations
Snow removal contractors typically operate under written agreements outlining their responsibilities. Logs help expose when those duties were not met.
- Service thresholds based on snow depth
If the contract requires plowing after one inch of snowfall but logs show no treatment until three inches, negligence may be evident. - Temperature-based treatment requirements
Some agreements require salting or de-icing when temperatures drop below freezing. - Skipped visits or inadequate monitoring
Missing entries, out-of-order timestamps, or vague notes may indicate the contractor failed to monitor conditions as promised.
Demonstrating a Pattern of Neglect
Negligence is not always isolated—it may reflect overall poor maintenance practices.
- Inconsistent records
Missing days, unclear handwriting, or duplicated entries raise concerns about accuracy. - Repeated complaints with no corresponding maintenance
Tenants or employees may have reported slippery conditions long before the fall. - Evidence that conditions were left untreated for extended periods
Logs showing little activity during prolonged winter weather can be strong indicators of liability.
Additional Evidence That Supports Plow and Salt Logs
Weather Reports & Meteorological Data
Objective weather data helps confirm whether the maintenance performed matched the conditions.
- Temperature fluctuations
- Snowfall totals
- Freeze-thaw cycles
- Weather advisories ignored by property owners
If logs fail to align with these conditions, the discrepancy strengthens the claim.
Surveillance Footage
Many commercial properties use cameras that capture:
- Foot traffic patterns
- Visible ice or snow accumulation
- Lack of maintenance activity despite hazardous conditions
Footage can directly contradict claims of “just plowed” or “recently salted.”
Witness Testimony
Individuals familiar with the property’s condition often provide invaluable insight.
- Employees
- Tenants
- Customers
- Delivery drivers or postal workers
Their observations help fill in gaps that logs or footage may not capture.
Photographs & Scene Documentation
Images taken immediately after a fall can be some of the most compelling evidence.
- Snow depth and accumulation
- Ice patches
- Plow ridges or ruts
- Condition of walkways, curbs, and parking lots
These images freeze the hazard in time, allowing experts and courts to see what the victim encountered.
Steps to Take After a Snow or Ice Fall
Photograph the Scene Immediately
Capture:
- Ice patches
- Untreated walkways
- Tire tracks
- Plow piles
- Any visible hazards
Photos taken before the weather changes can be vital.
Report the Incident to Property Management
Notify the owner, manager, or supervisor in writing. This ensures documentation and prevents disputes later.
Gather Witness Information
Collect names and contact details from:
- Employees
- Tenants
- Bystanders
- Anyone who saw the fall or the conditions
Their statements may confirm that the hazard was present for hours or even days.
Seek Medical Attention
Prompt medical care:
- Protects your health
- Creates a record connecting your injuries to the fall
- Prevents insurers from arguing that treatment was delayed or unrelated
Contact an Attorney Promptly
Plow and salt logs can disappear quickly—sometimes within days. An attorney can:
- Send preservation letters
- Secure logs and weather data
- Request surveillance footage before it is erased
- Begin investigating contractual obligations and maintenance history
Early legal involvement ensures that crucial evidence does not get “lost” or overwritten.
Don’t Face Winter Hazards Alone
Michigan winters are unforgiving, and unsafe snow or ice conditions can change your life in an instant. When a property owner or contractor fails to maintain walkways, the consequences can be devastating—and the evidence needed to prove negligence may disappear quickly. At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we know how to uncover the truth, secure plow and salt logs, and build a strong case that protects your rights, your recovery, and your future.
If you’ve been injured in a snow or ice fall, you deserve a team that treats you like family and fights for you with integrity, compassion, and relentless dedication. You are never just a case file here—your story matters, and we are here to stand with you every step of the way.
Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick
Address: 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Fax: 248-584-1323
Website: lsmlawyers.com