How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Protect Seniors’ Rights in Michigan

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry L. Cochran

Slip and Fall Lawyer in Michigan

Seniors are at a higher risk of slip and fall accidents. These falls often happen at home and in senior facilities. However, a few falls happen in public.

Regardless of where they occur, slip and fall accidents can worsen existing health conditions and significantly increase your financial expenses. When these accidents occur due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation. A slip and fall lawyer for seniors can help you or your loved one protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.

Slip and Fall Risks for Seniors

Seniors have a higher risk of slip and fall accidents due to several factors. A common one is the physical changes that happen as you grow older. These changes include decreasing bone density, poor eyesight, side effects of medication, and bone problems.

In addition to your health, environmental problems can increase your risk of these accidents. In Michigan, the most common environmental factors that could cause you to slip and fall include poor lighting, uneven surfaces, wet or icy walking surfaces, and inadequate handrails on staircases.

Most seniors are at a high risk of falling at home, but falls can also occur in other settings, such as grocery stores, restaurants, medical facilities, or on sidewalks.

Regardless, you could experience some injuries, including:

• Hip fractures
• Broken bones
• Head injuries

These injuries often lead to long-term problems, including mobility issues, cognitive impairment, and memory issues.

Legal Responsibilities of Property Owners and Caregivers

Most slip-and-fall accidents among seniors happen at home. If you are living in a senior living facility or nursing home, the property owner or your caregiver may be held liable for your accident.

Michigan’s laws on the licensing of aged care facilities require the owners of these facilities to maintain a safe environment for seniors. Maintaining a safe environment includes:

• Ensuring the facility has even floors
• Using non-slip flooring
• Installing handrails in bathrooms and walkways
• Installing sufficient lighting throughout the premises

Slip and fall accidents can occur in public areas such as grocery stores and restaurants. In such cases, the property owner may be liable for your slip and fall accident.

Whether you were injured in a senior living facility or in public, you can file a claim for damages resulting from that fall. To do this, you must prove that the accused:

• Had a duty of care toward you
• They breached that duty of care
• You were injured as a result of the breach
• You suffered damages from the injuries.

Role of a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Protecting Seniors

A slip-and-fall accident can cause significant injuries. These injuries often result in medical bills that may strain your income or savings.

Filing a slip and fall lawsuit can help you recover compensation to cover some or all of these expenses. You have better chances of obtaining better compensation by hiring a lawyer.

A slip-and-fall lawyer for seniors understands the challenges the elderly face when navigating the legal system, from being overwhelmed by legal jargon and case proceedings to facing bias when dealing with insurance companies.

One of the common reasons insurance companies offer a low or no settlement for senior accident cases is the claim of a preexisting condition. Such a claim dismisses the fall and the impact it had on you.

When working with an attorney, they understand these biases and will gather the necessary evidence to ensure you are compensated for your injuries. They will collect evidence from your medical records and enlist expert witnesses to give a full picture of the extent of your injuries.

Slip and fall attorneys also understand how to calculate compensatory damages. For seniors, especially if you have retired, you may not have an income that’s impacted by your injuries.

However, your medical bills are higher than those of the regular adult, as even minor injuries can have far-reaching consequences. These injuries could impact your mobility, potentially requiring you to hire a caregiver.

Working with a personal injury attorney who understands these challenges makes it easier to prepare your case and calculate damages that cover these unique expenses.

Why Legal Consultations Are Important

Free initial consultations are common for personal injury lawyers. These consultations allow prospective attorneys to learn about your case. But they are also a perfect opportunity for you to learn about the attorney.

During the consultation, you can ask the attorney various questions to assess their expertise, communication style, and costs. You can also assess your feelings about working with them.

Some of the questions you can ask during the initial consultation include:

• What is your experience with slip and fall cases involving seniors?
• How often can you send me updates on my case? What communication channels do you use?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
• How many client cases do you handle at a time?
• How long will my case likely take to resolve?
• How much do you charge? Do the charges change if you go to court?

These questions help you assess your attorney’s expertise, communication skills, and charges. You should shop around if this is your first time hiring a personal injury attorney, as the attorney you choose will become your advocate.

They will negotiate with insurance companies and handle legal matters on your behalf. They will help you file a claim, negotiate a settlement, and where needed, represent you in court.

Find a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Michigan

If you or a loved one has been in a slip-and-fall accident, a slip and fall lawyer for seniors can help. Speak with our compassionate, knowledgeable slip-and-fall lawyers at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C.. We can review your case, guide you through the claims process, and draft an impactful victim impact statement for your case. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-642-4529 and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.