When a hazardous condition on someone else’s property causes injury, the fallout is immediate: medical bills, time off work, and uncertainty about what comes next. At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), you get the entire team on day one — attorneys, investigators, and support staff working in sync to preserve evidence, prove fault, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
"Premises liability" means a property owner, manager, landlord, or business can be responsible for injuries caused by a dangerous condition on the land or in a building. Common cases include slips or trips and falls, snow‑and‑ice injuries, falling merchandise, unsafe stairs or railings, negligent security, and injuries to children from poorly guarded hazards like pools or amusement rides.
Michigan law — in plain English
Duty of reasonable care. Property possessors owe invitees a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect them from unreasonable risks posed by dangerous conditions.
Open and Obvious is no longer a complete bar. In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court clarified that the “open and obvious” nature of a hazard does not eliminate a landowner’s duty; instead, it’s part of the breach and comparative fault analysis. That means juries may reduce damages if a danger was obvious, but valid claims aren’t automatically dismissed.
Notice matters. We must show the owner created the hazard or knew/should have known about it in time to fix or warn.
Deadlines are strict. Some claims have short notice rules; talk to us promptly so we can protect your rights.
We’ll explain how these rules apply to your facts and give you a clear strategy from day one.
Types of premises cases we handle
Snow & ice injuries (parking lots, sidewalks, building entries)
Children injured by dangerous conditions (at schools, daycares, playgrounds; foreseeability and supervision)
Elevator/escalator malfunctions
Construction site hazards affecting visitors or tenants
How LSM builds strong premises cases
Rapid response & preservation. We send spoliation letters, secure video, incident and maintenance logs, sweep logs, vendor contracts, and repair records before they disappear.
Site inspection & testing. We photograph/scan the scene, measure slopes, check lighting, inspect handrails and treads, and test slip resistance (tribometry) when appropriate.
Expert team. Engineers, human‑factors experts, building‑code and snow‑removal experts, security specialists, and life‑care planners when injuries are severe.
Medical & damages proof. We coordinate with your providers, document the full arc of recovery, and build the economic picture of wage loss and future care.
Trial‑ready strategy. We prepare as if your case will be tried. That preparation drives better settlements.
Spotlight: Snow & Ice Cases in Michigan
Winter hazards are predictable — and preventable with reasonable care. Owners and snow contractors should monitor conditions, salt/sand timely, clear entrances and high‑traffic areas, and fix drainage/black ice problems. We investigate weather data, plow/salt logs, service contracts, and surveillance to show what should have been done and when.
Negligent Security
Businesses must take reasonable steps to deter predictable crime on their property. Cases often involve poor lighting, broken locks, non‑functioning cameras, missing or untrained security, and a known history of incidents. We gather crime grids, prior incident reports, lease and vendor contracts, and training policies to prove foreseeability and breach.
Report the incident to the owner/manager and ask for a copy.
Document the scene (video/photos), shoes/clothing, and witness names.
Preserve evidence: keep footwear, don’t wash out hazards (e.g., icy boots), and save receipts or incident copies.
Call LSM. We’ll take over communications and start preservation steps immediately.
Representative Results*
$3,170,000 — Wheel‑off projectile through windshield causing TBI and cervical fusions (illustrates complex premises/maintenance overlap).
$1,250,000 — Medical transport wheel‑off rollover aggravating spinal cord injury.
Every case is different; past results don’t guarantee future outcomes.
FAQs: Michigan Premises Liability
Is my case barred if the hazard was “open and obvious”? No. Michigan’s high court held that openness/obviousness goes to breach and comparative fault, not duty. Your claim may still proceed; a jury can reduce damages if appropriate.
Do landlords owe special duties to tenants? Landlords and property managers must act reasonably to repair and maintain common areas and address known hazards. Contracted snow or security vendors can share responsibility when they fail to perform.
What evidence helps most? Photos/video, incident reports, maintenance or snow‑removal logs, prior complaints, footwear, receipts showing you were there, and names/contact info for witnesses.
How long do I have to file? Deadlines vary. Some claims have short notice rules; contact us promptly so we can calculate and meet every deadline.
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg)
