Premises Liability Attorneys Washtenaw County

Property owners throughout Washtenaw County have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for visitors, guests, and customers. When they neglect hazards or fail to warn of dangerous conditions, people get hurt. At Logeman & Iafrate, P.C., our premises liability attorneys have spent over 45 years holding negligent property owners accountable for injuries caused by unsafe conditions.

We understand the challenges you face after suffering injuries on someone else's property. Medical bills pile up while you're unable to work. The property owner's insurance company denies your claim or offers a settlement far below what you need. Our trial-ready approach puts pressure on insurers who know we won't back down.

Understanding Property Owner Duty in Washtenaw County

Michigan law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for everyone lawfully on their property. This duty isn't limited to customers or invited guests—it extends to anyone the owner should reasonably expect might be present, from delivery drivers to children cutting through a yard.

The owner must take reasonable steps to:

• Regularly inspect the property for hazards
• Repair dangerous conditions promptly
• Warn visitors of dangers that aren't readily observable
• Take precautions against foreseeable accidents

This duty applies to all types of properties across Washtenaw County: retail stores in downtown Ann Arbor, apartment complexes near Eastern Michigan University, office buildings in Ypsilanti, restaurants along Main Street, parking structures throughout the county, and private homes where guests are injured.

Common Premises Liability Cases We Handle

Inadequate Snow and Ice Removal: Michigan winters create serious hazards when Washtenaw County property owners fail to clear walkways, parking lots, and entryways. Black ice on apartment complex sidewalks, unsalted commercial parking lots, and icy steps without warning signs cause countless falls each season.

Dangerous Property Defects: Broken handrails, uneven flooring, crumbling concrete, poorly lit stairwells, torn carpeting, and loose floorboards all constitute hazardous conditions. When property owners know about these defects but fail to repair them, they're liable for resulting injuries.

Negligent Security: Property owners who know crime occurs on their premises must take reasonable security measures. Inadequate lighting in parking structures, broken locks, missing security cameras, and failure to hire security personnel at high-crime locations can all support premises liability claims when visitors are assaulted or attacked.

Swimming Pool Accidents: Pool owners have heightened duties to prevent drowning and diving injuries. Missing fences, broken gates, absent lifeguards, inadequate depth markings, and slippery decking all create liability exposure.

Toxic Exposure: Exposure to mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, or other hazardous substances on rental properties or commercial buildings can cause serious illness. Landlords who ignore tenant complaints about these conditions face liability for resulting health problems.

The Open and Obvious Defense

Property owners in Michigan frequently invoke the "open and obvious" doctrine to avoid liability. Under this defense, owners argue they have no duty to protect against dangers that are readily apparent to visitors using ordinary intelligence and casual observation.

However, this defense has important limitations. Property owners remain liable even for open and obvious conditions when:

• The hazard is effectively unavoidable—such as when ice covers the only path to a building entrance
• The danger is unreasonably dangerous despite being obvious—such as an unguarded twenty-foot drop
• The owner has reason to expect visitors won't discover the condition or protect themselves
• Special circumstances make the condition particularly dangerous

We've successfully overcome open and obvious defenses in countless cases by demonstrating why property owners remained responsible despite the visibility of the hazard.

Injuries in Washtenaw County Premises Liability Cases

Dangerous property conditions throughout Washtenaw County cause serious injuries including:

• Traumatic brain injuries from striking your head during falls
• Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis
• Hip fractures requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation
• Broken bones in wrists, arms, ankles, and legs
• Herniated discs causing chronic pain
• Torn rotator cuffs and other shoulder injuries
• Knee damage requiring reconstructive surgery
• Severe lacerations and scarring

These injuries often require months of recovery, multiple surgeries, and ongoing medical care. For older adults, a serious fall can permanently diminish independence and quality of life.

Compensation You Can Recover

Successful premises liability claims throughout Washtenaw County allow recovery of:

• All past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
• Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity
• Home modifications if your injuries require accessibility changes
• Pain and suffering compensation for physical discomfort and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities you once loved

Our attorneys work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to document the full value of your claim. We don't settle for the first offer—we fight for every dollar you're entitled to recover.

Why Washtenaw County Property Owners Fight These Claims

Property owners and their insurance companies aggressively defend premises liability cases because they fear setting precedents. They'll argue you were careless, the condition was obvious, you were trespassing, or your injuries aren't as serious as you claim.

Insurance adjusters know that most injury victims can't afford drawn-out litigation. They make lowball offers hoping you'll accept quick money rather than fight for fair compensation. This strategy works against plaintiffs without experienced legal representation.

When we take your case, insurers know we're prepared for trial. Our track record includes substantial verdicts against property owners who refused reasonable settlements. That trial-ready reputation often leads to better settlement offers before we ever enter a courtroom.

Time Limits for Washtenaw County Premises Liability Claims

Michigan's statute of limitations gives you three years from your injury date to file a premises liability lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation forever. However, gathering evidence and building a strong case takes time—waiting until year three puts you at a disadvantage.

Property owners destroy evidence, witnesses' memories fade, and your own recollection of details diminishes as time passes. The sooner you contact our firm after your injury, the better we can preserve critical evidence including surveillance footage, incident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washtenaw County Premises Liability Claims

What must I prove in a Washtenaw County premises liability case?

You must establish that the property owner owed you a duty of care, a dangerous condition existed on the property, the owner knew or should have known about the hazard, the owner failed to repair the condition or adequately warn you, and the dangerous condition directly caused your injuries. Our attorneys gather evidence including photographs, maintenance records, incident reports, and expert testimony to prove each element of your claim.

Can I recover compensation if the dangerous condition was obvious?

Possibly. While Michigan's open and obvious doctrine can limit liability, important exceptions apply. Property owners remain responsible for open and obvious hazards that are effectively unavoidable, unreasonably dangerous despite being obvious, or where special circumstances exist. We've successfully recovered compensation for clients even when conditions were partially visible by demonstrating these exceptions applied.

How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Washtenaw County?

Michigan's statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of injury to file suit. However, waiting jeopardizes your case as evidence disappears and witnesses become unavailable. Contact our firm as soon as possible after your injury to preserve critical evidence and protect your rights. Some circumstances may shorten this deadline, making prompt legal consultation essential.

What if I was injured at a government building or park in Washtenaw County?

Claims against government entities involve special rules under Michigan's governmental tort liability act. You must provide written notice of your claim within specific timeframes—often as short as 120 days. Government immunity applies in many situations, but exceptions exist for dangerous conditions in public buildings, sidewalks, and parks. These cases require immediate legal attention due to shortened deadlines.

Can I sue my landlord for injuries in my Washtenaw County apartment?

Yes, if your landlord failed to maintain the property in a safe condition or neglected known hazards. Common claims involve inadequate lighting, broken stairs, defective plumbing causing flooding, mold exposure, missing smoke detectors, and dangerous common areas. Michigan law requires landlords to keep rental properties in reasonable repair and safe for tenant use. Document the hazard with photographs and report it to your landlord in writing immediately.