Workplace Slip and Fall Lawyer in Michigan | Slip and Fall Injury at Work

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in the workplace. Whether it happens on a slippery breakroom floor, an icy loading dock, or a cluttered warehouse aisle, a fall can leave you dealing with medical bills, missed work, and long-term pain. In Michigan, employees injured in falls at work are typically covered by workers’ compensation, but that doesn’t mean the process is simple or that other forms of compensation aren’t available.

Understanding your rights after a workplace fall is critical. In some cases, a third party like a property owner or outside contractor may also be held responsible. This page explains how these incidents happen, what your options are under Michigan law, and how to learn more about your legal rights when deciding whether to pursue additional compensation or legal action.

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How Workplace Slip and Fall Accidents Happen

Slip and fall injuries can occur in almost any workplace from busy construction sites to quiet office buildings. While the causes may vary, they usually stem from unsafe conditions that could have been prevented with proper maintenance or safety protocols. Some of the most common hazards include:

Wet or recently mopped floors without warning signs
Ice or snow buildup near building entrances
Cluttered walkways or blocked emergency exits
Loose carpeting or unsecured mats
Poor lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking garages
Leaky pipes or refrigeration units causing puddles
Missing handrails or uneven flooring

Different industries face different risks. Here’s a breakdown of common fall hazards by job type:

👷‍♂️ Job Type	⚠️ Fall Hazard	🧼 Typical Cause
🛒 Retail	Slippery floors	Spills, recent mopping, no warning signs
🏗️ Construction	Uneven surfaces, open edges	Incomplete flooring, lack of guardrails
🏥 Healthcare	Obstacles in hallways	Cords, carts, clutter near patient rooms
🍽️ Food Service	Wet kitchen floors	Grease, water, dropped food
🏢 Office	Loose carpeting, stair falls	Poor lighting, loose handrails

Even a seemingly minor hazard can lead to serious injuries especially when employers or building managers fail to address known risks. If you’ve suffered a fall while working, identifying the cause is the first step in determining what kind of claim you may have.

Who’s Responsible for a Slip and Fall at Work?

When a fall happens on the job, most people assume their employer is automatically responsible. But liability for a workplace slip and fall isn’t always that straightforward. In Michigan, the party responsible often depends on who controls the property, who created the hazard, and whether any outside contractors or third parties were involved. Here are a few common scenarios:

Employer responsibility: If the fall was caused by conditions your employer directly controls—like unsafe flooring inside your facility—you’ll likely be covered under workers’ compensation.
Property owner liability: If you work in a leased space or at a client’s location, the property owner may be responsible for maintaining safe conditions in common areas, parking lots, or entryways.
Third-party contractors: If a cleaning crew, maintenance company, or construction contractor created the hazard that caused your fall, you may have a separate personal injury claim in addition to your workers’ comp case.
Product liability: In rare cases, faulty safety gear, ladders, flooring materials, or anti-slip mats may make a manufacturer or supplier partially responsible.

Because fault may be shared between multiple parties, it’s important to investigate every angle especially if your fall occurred somewhere outside your employer’s direct control.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Workplace Falls in Michigan?

If you’re injured in a fall while performing your job duties, you’re likely entitled to workers’ compensation under Michigan law. This no-fault system provides benefits for medical treatment, wage loss, and vocational rehabilitation even if no one was directly to blame. But workers’ comp has limits. It does not cover pain and suffering, and it may not apply if your fall happened while off the clock, if you’re classified as an independent contractor, or if the hazard was created by a third party. In some cases, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim especially if the fall occurred at a third-party site or was caused by a negligent property owner or contractor.

⚖️ Factor	🩺 Workers’ Comp	🧑‍⚖️ Personal Injury Lawsuit
Fault required?	❌ No	✅ Yes, must prove negligence
Pain and suffering damages?	❌ Not available	✅ Can be recovered
Covers medical/wage loss?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, if liability is proven
Who can you sue?	Employer only (in most cases)	Third parties (property owner, contractor)
Can both apply?	✅ Sometimes	✅ In third-party liability situations

When Can You Sue for a Workplace Slip and Fall?

In most Michigan workplace injury cases, your recovery is limited to workers’ compensation. But there are important exceptions. If someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the dangerous condition that led to your fall, you may have the right to file a separate personal injury claim. Here are a few common scenarios where a lawsuit might be possible:

You fell in a shared space like a parking lot, lobby, or hallway managed by a landlord or third-party property owner—not your employer.
A cleaning company or maintenance contractor left a hazard that caused your fall (like a wet floor or misplaced equipment).
The workplace was under construction and a subcontractor failed to secure cables, ladders, or debris.
Defective flooring, mats, or safety equipment contributed to your fall, creating a potential product liability claim.

These cases are often more complex but can offer significantly more compensation including for pain and suffering than workers’ comp alone. The key is determining who had control over the hazard and whether they acted negligently.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Fall Injury

What you do immediately after a slip and fall at work can make or break your claim whether it’s a workers’ comp case, a third-party lawsuit, or both. Taking the right steps helps protect your health, your legal rights, and your ability to pursue full compensation. Here’s what to do:

📝 Step	📌 Why It Matters
📣 Report the injury	Documents the incident with your employer immediately
📸 Take photos of the scene	Preserves visual evidence before the hazard is corrected
👥 Identify witnesses	Confirms your version of events and adds credibility
🏥 Seek medical care	Begins treatment and creates an official medical record
⚖️ Consult a lawyer	Ensures your rights are protected and all claims explored

Avoid brushing off the injury or delaying medical treatment it could give the insurance company room to downplay your claim. Reporting the incident right away and documenting everything helps create a clear paper trail.

How a Lawyer Can Help with a Workplace Slip and Fall Claim

Navigating a workplace fall injury can be confusing especially when you’re unsure whether you’re limited to workers’ compensation or eligible to pursue a third-party lawsuit as well. An experienced attorney can help you avoid common mistakes and make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. Here’s how a lawyer can help protect your rights and strengthen your case:

Evaluate all potential sources of compensation, not just workers’ comp
Determine if a third party (like a property owner or contractor) is liable
Gather critical evidence before it’s lost, cleaned up, or repaired
Handle communications with insurance companies and employers
File the appropriate claims on time and advocate for your best interests

Many workers accept far less than they deserve because they assume workers’ comp is their only option. In reality, combining a comp claim with a third-party lawsuit may significantly increase your total recovery especially if pain and suffering or permanent disability are involved. Learn how workplace falls compare to other accident locations in our guide to where slip and falls happen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Workplace Slip and Falls

Can I sue if I already filed a workers’ comp claim?

Yes. If a third party—like a property owner, cleaning crew, or contractor—was responsible for your fall, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to receiving workers’ comp benefits.

What if I wasn’t clocked in when I fell at work?

You may still be covered if you were on the premises for work-related reasons. These cases are fact-specific, so speak with a lawyer to determine if you're eligible for compensation.

Do I have to prove fault to get workers’ comp?

No. Michigan workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove anyone caused your injury—you only need to show that it happened while performing work duties.

Can I get compensation for pain and suffering after a workplace fall?

Not through workers’ comp—but you can if you pursue a personal injury claim against a third party. This is why it's important to evaluate whether someone other than your employer was at fault.

How long do I have to file a claim after a workplace slip and fall?

For workers’ comp, you must report the injury to your employer within 90 days and file a claim within two years. For a third-party lawsuit, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the injury.

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