Slips and falls happen frequently and can cause major injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are most frequently caused by falls. Furthermore, falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, making up approximately 8 million admissions. Injuries from slips and falls can be severe and may require urgent medical assistance.

Accidents involving slips and falls can happen in commercial establishments, government buildings, or private property like an apartment complex. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation from an insurance company. This is when you should begin to check your legal options.

An injury lawyer for slip and fall cases can help you understand your rights, gather the right evidence, and take legal action if needed. Our Michigan slip and fall lawyers will hold property owners accountable. Contact us at The Clark Law Office for a free consultation.

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Common Injuries Sustained from a Slip and Fall Accident

A slip and fall can cause a wide range of injuries, from mild to serious, including:

Bruising and Soft Tissue Injuries: A contusion is a common term used to describe soft tissue injuries. These of injuries can be quite serious because they sometimes happen in the muscle’s deep tissue. Soft tissue injuries may have a permanent impact on an individual’s body and life if they are not addressed.
Sprains and Strains: An injury known as a strain or sprain is another common type of fall injury. These injuries mainly happen to a person’s tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These can result from an unexpected bending or twisting of a body part and slip and fall accidents.
Broken Bones: Broken bones occur when a force impacts the bone hard enough to fracture or shatter it. This can happen during a slip and fall and could need immediate medical treatment. Some examples are fractures, hip fractures, and a shattered wrist.
Joint Dislocations: A dislocation is an injury that happens whenever bones are pushed out of their natural position in a joint. Joint dislocations could occur due to slip and fall accidents.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries: Any damage to the spinal cord is considered a spinal cord injury. The majority of spinal cord injuries result from a sudden hit to the vertebrae. A herniated disc is an example of a spine injury.
Head Injuries: Accidents involving slips and falls can result in mild to serious head injuries. These kinds of fall injuries may cause permanent impairment or may even be fatal. This includes concussion, contusion, hematoma, and traumatic brain injuries.
Chronic Pain: Pain that lasts longer than three months or past the time it takes for an injury to recover naturally is referred to as chronic pain. Many different types of injuries might cause this kind of pain.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Apartment Complexes

🏢 Common Area Where Falls Occur	🧑‍⚖️ Who May Be Liable	📋 What You Should Do
🪜 Stairwells and hallways	Landlord or property manager	Take photos, note lighting, document any defects
🚪 Entryways and front steps	Property owner or maintenance company	Report the condition, preserve footwear as evidence
🅿️ Parking lots and walkways	Landlord or snow removal service	Document weather, take wide-angle and close-up photos
🚿 Laundry rooms or shared facilities	Apartment owner or third-party service	Notify management, collect witness info if possible
🌳 Outdoor common areas	Landlord or landscape contractor	Capture uneven ground, tree root issues, or debris
🏠 Inside tenant units (if reported)	Landlord (if notified but unfixed)	Keep copies of prior maintenance requests or complaints

Damaged and worn-out flooring

Landlords sometimes neglect to replace worn-out flooring and tiles because they are costly. This could result in a tenant getting injuries from slips and falls, putting them in a dangerous condition. For people who have to live in these apartment buildings, damaged flooring can be constant fall hazard.

Uneven, broken, and ill-maintained steps and stairs

Tenants risk losing their footing and falling down the steps if the stairs have an issue. When banisters or railings break, a tenant using them could fall. Tenants and their guests may also be at risk from uneven or broken steps. Damaged or uneven steps can easily become tripping hazards. If a landlord knew about such a case, they must get it fixed immediately.

Wet and slippery floors and surfaces

In an apartment complex, wet flooring and surfaces are a big concern. The flooring might become slippery due to a lot of reasons including leaks. Wet and slippery surfaces can also develop around pool decks, sidewalks, parking lots, and changing areas. These increase the likelihood of a slip and fall accident.

Insufficient lighting in certain areas

Poorly and inadequately lit areas in an apartment building may be even more prone to slips and falls. In addition to other existing risks, low lighting can make it difficult for tenants to see potential fall hazards.

Potholes and heavily damaged pavements.

Potholes and cracked asphalt in driveways, parking lots, and walkways can lead to someone tripping over. This is made worse at night when it is more difficult to see these hazards.

Weather-related slip and fall hazards

When landlords neglect to clear snow or ice from walkways and parking areas, it can put residents at risk. Black ice is especially dangerous. However, if the tenant is in charge of clearing the snow and ice, he may be held liable instead.

Your Dwelling vs. Common Areas

When a problem develops in their apartment building flat, tenants must notify the landlord immediately. Tenants may be held accountable if they fail to alert the property owner about hazards that lead to someone getting harmed. However, the landlord may be held liable for injuries that occur too. This happens if risks are reported to them, and they must resolve them within a reasonable amount of time.

Property owners have a duty keep an eye out for any dangers in the common spaces. If you slip and fall in an apartment building’s parking lot or another common area, the landlord could be responsible.

The Liability of Landlords and Property Owners

Tenants with slip-and-fall injuries on residential property typically file premises liability claims against their landlord. This holds the landlord or property manager accountable for the harm done to the tenant. Still, it is necessary to prove a few things before making such a claim:

The landlord or management company had some control over what caused the slip-and-fall.
It was possible to fix the conditions that led to the accident.
An injury was possible due to the lack of action to fix the issue.
The landlord did not take the necessary precautions to prevent an accident.

A slip and fall in a shared space may subject the property owner or maintenance company to liability as per premises liability laws. However, it is necessary to prove negligence first for an effective personal injury claim.

Steps in Filing a premises liability claim after an injury at an apartment complex

After a slip and fall injury at your apartment complex, there are steps you need to take to ensure a successful claim. Following these steps allows you to get paid fairly when you seek compensation your for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Here are the appropriate steps to take in filing a premises liability claim after an injury at an apartment complex:

Start investigating and fact-checking.
File an insurance claim with the landlord or property owner’s insurance company.
Acquire information from both parties (also called the discovery phase).
File pre-trial motions and go through possible negotiations.
Go to trial if the parties do not agree on a fair settlement.

Hiring a Premises Liability Lawyer to Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Accident.

In the event of a slip and fall personal injury claim, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney. Discuss your slip and fall injury with an experienced slip and fall lawyer from The Clark Law Office before accepting any settlement offer. Premises liability experts from The Clark Law Office can assist you in getting a fair settlement. Our law firm has successfully defended slip and fall victims in Michigan for more than three decades. For a free consultation, contact us today. Discover other locations where unsafe conditions can lead to falls in our guide to where slip and falls happen.

FAQ: Slip and Fall Accidents at Michigan Apartment Complexes

Who is responsible for a slip and fall injury at an apartment complex?

In most cases, the landlord or property management company is responsible if they failed to maintain safe conditions in common areas like hallways, stairwells, or parking lots.

Can I sue my landlord for falling in my apartment building?

Yes, if your fall was caused by negligence — such as poor lighting, loose handrails, or unaddressed leaks — you may have a valid claim against the landlord or building owner.

Does it matter if I fell inside my rental unit or in a shared area?

Yes. Falls in common areas are more clearly the landlord’s responsibility. However, you may still have a case for a fall inside your unit if it resulted from known issues that were never repaired.

What kind of evidence helps in a slip and fall case at an apartment complex?

Photos of the hazard, witness statements, maintenance requests, and medical records are key. These can help show the landlord had notice of the danger and failed to act.

What if I’m a guest visiting someone at an apartment complex?

You can still file a claim if your injury happened due to unsafe conditions. Property owners owe a duty of care to tenants and lawful visitors.

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