Slips, Trips & Falls

Michigan slip, trip and fall Lawyers

Falls aren’t “minor” when they change your life.

A wet floor, uneven concrete, or uncleared ice can cause devastating injuries. If you were hurt because a property owner or contractor didn’t take reasonable care, Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM) is ready to help. From day one you get the full team—our attorneys, investigators, and experts—moving quickly to preserve evidence and build a clear case for compensation.

Free consultation • No fee unless we win
Call 248‑584‑1300 or 1‑855‑LISS‑LAW (855‑547‑7529)
2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072 — Serving Metro Detroit and all of Michigan

What counts as a slip, trip, or fall claim?

"Slip and fall" and "trip and fall" are part of premises liability—cases against owners, landlords, managers, or contractors who allow dangerous conditions on their property. Common hazards include:

• Water, oil, or food spills with no warning signs
• Snow, ice, and black ice in lots, walkways, and entrances
• Uneven pavement, potholes, broken stairs, missing handrails
• Loose mats, curled rugs, cords, poor lighting
• Construction debris or temporary hazards without proper cones/barriers

Michigan law—plain English

• Reasonable care: Owners/possessors must take reasonable steps to inspect, fix, or warn about dangerous conditions.
• Open & obvious is not automatic dismissal: Since 2023, a hazard being "open and obvious" no longer wipes out the owner’s duty. Instead, it’s part of whether there was a breach and how comparative fault is allocated. Valid claims can proceed, though a jury may reduce damages if you shared fault.
• Notice matters: We must show the owner created the condition or knew/should have known about it in time to fix or warn. We prove this with sweep logs, video, weather data, and witness testimony.
• Deadlines are strict: Some claims have short notice rules. Contact us promptly so we can preserve evidence and meet every deadline.

How LSM proves slip, trip & fall cases

1. Rapid preservation
   • Spoliation letters for surveillance video, incident reports, sweep/inspection logs, and vendor contracts.
   • Request weather records, salting/plowing logs, and maintenance tickets.
2. Site inspection
   • Photograph/scan the scene, measure slopes and riser/tread sizes, evaluate lighting.
   • Tribometry (slip resistance testing) and building‑code analysis when appropriate.
3. Witnesses & notice
   • Identify employees/contractors and prior complaints; collect time‑stamped photos and loyalty‑app receipts to prove you were there.
4. Medical & damages
   • Coordinate with your providers; document the full arc of recovery; retain life‑care planners, vocational, and economic experts when injuries are severe.
5. Trial‑ready approach
   • We prepare as if your case will be tried. That preparation drives better settlements.

Who can be responsible?

• Property owner or possessor (store, landlord, management company)
• Snow & ice contractors and janitorial vendors
• Commercial tenants inside malls/centers
• Property managers and maintenance companies

Injuries we commonly see

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion
• Fractures (hip, wrist, ankle), torn ligaments, rotator cuff tears
• Spinal injuries (disc herniations, chronic pain)
• Permanent scars and psychological trauma (anxiety, PTSD)

What to do after a fall

1. Get medical care immediately—even if symptoms seem mild.
2. Report it to the property and ask for an incident report copy.
3. Document the scene: photos/video of the hazard, lighting, footwear, and your injuries; collect witness names.
4. Preserve evidence: keep the shoes you wore; don’t wash away salt, mud, or liquids on them. Save receipts that prove you were there.
5. Call LSM. We handle the insurer and start preservation steps the same day.

Damages you may recover

• Medical expenses and future care
• Wage loss and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and loss of quality of life
• Out‑of‑pocket costs (transportation, home modifications, devices)

We will give you straight talk about value drivers, timelines, and strategy—no surprises.

FAQs: Slip, Trip & Fall in Michigan

Is a wet‑floor sign fatal to my case?
Not necessarily. The sign’s placement, timing, and whether the area was actually made safe all matter. Video and sweep logs tell the real story.

What if I slipped on black ice?
Black ice cases are often strong when we show foreseeable conditions (melting/refreezing, drainage issues, inadequate salting) and poor maintenance practices.

Do I need to prove how long the hazard existed?
It helps. We use sweep logs, staffing records, and testimony to show the owner had enough time to fix or warn—or created the hazard themselves.

Can I bring a claim if I was looking at my phone?
Maybe. Michigan uses comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your compensation can be reduced—but your claim may still be viable.

Should I talk to the store’s insurer?
Call us first. Adjusters may record statements or ask you to sign releases that hurt your claim. We control communications and provide what’s required—nothing more.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick — Integrity, clarity, client‑first.

‍