Turkey Trots, Parades & Porch Steps: How to Keep Guests Safe on Cold, Slippery Days

Thanksgiving in Michigan brings out the best of the season — early morning Turkey Trots, bustling downtown parades, and families welcoming loved ones home for a warm meal and a day of gratitude. Children race through yards playing tag in the cold air, while grandparents settle in with blankets to watch the Detroit parade or a football game. It’s a time to celebrate togetherness — but it’s also a time when cold weather and early winter conditions can quietly turn festive moments into serious accidents.

Michigan’s late November weather is as unpredictable as it gets. One day it’s crisp and clear; the next, driveways and porches are coated with black ice, wet leaves, or the season’s first dusting of snow. Cracked steps, loose railings, and poor outdoor lighting make even short walks treacherous — especially for children running ahead or older adults with limited mobility.

Hospitals across Michigan report a rise in fall-related injuries around Thanksgiving, with emergency rooms seeing an increase in slips, trips, and broken bones caused by icy driveways, uneven sidewalks, or cluttered entryways. Many of these accidents happen at family gatherings or community events — places meant to be safe.

Understanding Premises Liability During Michigan’s Holiday Season

What Is Premises Liability?

In simple terms, premises liability means that a person or entity who owns or controls property must take reasonable steps to prevent harm caused by unsafe or defective conditions. This responsibility applies to:

• Homeowners hosting family or friends,
• Businesses open to the public, and
• Cities or event organizers that manage public spaces, parades, or holiday events.

When these individuals or organizations fail to maintain safe conditions—and someone gets hurt as a result—they can be held legally responsible for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Who Is Protected Under Michigan’s Premises Liability Law?

Under Michigan law, guests who are invited onto a property for social or business purposes are called “invitees.” Invitees are owed the highest level of care because they are lawfully on the premises and the property owner benefits from their presence.

Common examples of invitees during the Thanksgiving season include:

• Family and friends attending a holiday dinner or gathering,
• Spectators at local parades or Turkey Trots,
• Shoppers visiting stores for Black Friday sales, and
• Delivery drivers or contractors performing services on the property.

Property owners must inspect their property, correct hazards when possible, and warn invitees of any known dangers that might not be immediately obvious.

Examples of Unsafe Holiday Conditions

Michigan’s late November weather creates countless opportunities for slips, trips, and falls. Some of the most common hazards that lead to holiday injuries include:

• Icy or snow-covered sidewalks and driveways that weren’t shoveled or salted.
• Loose or broken handrails on porches or outdoor stairways.
• Poor outdoor lighting that makes it hard for guests to see steps or uneven ground when leaving evening gatherings.
• Wet indoor floors caused by tracked-in snow or slush from guests’ shoes.

Understanding Thanksgiving Injury Liability in Michigan

How Liability Works in Holiday-Related Injuries

When someone is injured due to unsafe property conditions, liability depends on who owns or controls the property where the accident occurred.

• Homeowners: If a guest is injured at a private residence — for example, slipping on icy porch steps or tripping over damaged walkway tiles — the claim is often filed through the homeowner’s insurance policy. This coverage may pay for medical expenses and other damages, depending on the circumstances.
• Municipalities and Event Organizers: Cities, towns, or organizations that host public events like parades, Turkey Trots, or winter festivals have a duty to maintain safe walkways and crowd areas. If they fail to remove ice, mark uneven surfaces, or control hazards, they can be held legally responsible for injuries that result. However, claims against municipalities are subject to strict notice and filing deadlines, which makes it crucial to act quickly.

Why Evidence Matters

Immediately after an accident, the most valuable step a victim can take is to preserve evidence. Dangerous conditions often change quickly — snow melts, ice refreezes, or debris gets cleared away — so documenting the scene as soon as possible is critical.

Important evidence may include:

• Photos or videos of the area where the accident occurred (lighting, surface conditions, and any warning signs).
• Medical documentation linking injuries directly to the fall or hazard.
• Witness statements confirming what happened and describing the unsafe condition.

The attorneys at Liss, Shapero & Mitnick frequently use this evidence to build strong cases that show the property owner’s negligence and protect clients from insurance company denials or low settlements.

How Comparative Fault Can Affect Recovery

Michigan law follows a comparative fault system, which means that an injured person’s compensation may be reduced if they are found partially responsible for their own accident.

For example:

• A guest wearing improper footwear on an icy walkway might be assigned a small portion of fault.
• A pedestrian injured at a parade may share limited fault if they ignored a clearly marked barrier.

However, as long as the injured person is less than 50% at fault, they can still recover compensation for their medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Determining fault is rarely simple — it often depends on expert analysis of conditions, visibility, and timing.

Safety Tips: Hosting a Safe and Liability-Free Holiday

For Homeowners & Holiday Hosts

When opening your home to guests, you’re not just a host — you’re a property owner with a legal responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment. Before the first car pulls into the driveway, take these steps to keep everyone safe and comfortable:

• Shovel and salt early — before guests arrive. Don’t wait until visitors are already walking up the drive. Black ice can form quickly in Michigan’s cold mornings and evenings.
• Test handrails and repair loose steps. A wobbly railing or cracked porch step may seem minor until it causes a serious fall.
• Clear porch clutter. Decorations, cords, and packages can all become tripping hazards, especially in dim light.
• Keep walkways and entryways well-lit. Replace burnt-out bulbs and consider adding motion lights for extra visibility.
• Use rugs or mats inside doors to reduce slippery floors from snow and ice tracked in by guests.
• Warn guests about any hazards you can’t fix immediately — such as uneven pavement or a broken railing — so they can take extra care.

For Event Organizers and Municipalities

Parades, Turkey Trots, and other community events create excitement and draw large crowds — but they also increase the risk of accidents if safety isn’t prioritized. Organizers and local governments can protect participants and the public by taking proactive measures:

• Inspect routes, sidewalks, and spectator areas for uneven surfaces, ice patches, or debris before the event begins.
• Use signage and barriers to guide foot traffic and prevent people from wandering into unsafe or restricted areas.
• Provide clear first-aid access and establish emergency response protocols for large gatherings — including designated personnel to handle incidents quickly and safely.

For Guests and Families

Visitors and participants can play an active role in keeping themselves safe during the holidays. Whether attending a parade, joining a family gathering, or volunteering at an event, stay mindful of your surroundings:

• Wear proper footwear with traction. Avoid smooth-soled shoes or high heels that can slip easily on icy or damp surfaces.
• Stay alert in crowded or low-light areas. Distractions, dim lighting, and holiday excitement can make it easy to miss hazards.
• Report unsafe conditions promptly. If you see a dangerous patch of ice, poor lighting, or a broken step, alert the homeowner, event organizer, or local official right away.

Keep the Holidays Joyful — Know Your Rights After a Thanksgiving Injury

Thanksgiving should be about family, gratitude, and community — not preventable accidents caused by unsafe property or icy walkways. When a fall or injury occurs because a property owner failed to take reasonable care, Michigan law protects victims and holds negligent homeowners, businesses, and municipalities accountable.

The attorneys at Liss, Shapero & Mitnick have decades of experience helping families recover after slip-and-fall injuries, unsafe property conditions, and other holiday-related accidents. We know that these cases are about more than compensation — they’re about helping people regain stability, confidence, and peace of mind.

If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly — snow melts, ice refreezes, and witnesses move on. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be and the faster we can begin preserving the proof needed to protect your claim.

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📍 Liss, Shapero & Mitnick
2695 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072

📞 248-584-1300 | Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (547-7529)

Your Rights First. Your Story Matters.

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