It’s a warm Michigan afternoon in Dearborn. You’re walking with your family through Ford Field Park, watching kids laugh as they chase each other by the river. Or maybe you’ve spread a blanket under the shade trees at Levagood Park, enjoying a peaceful picnic. Then, in an instant, everything changes — your foot catches on a cracked path, or you slip on a slick, mossy patch near the fountain. The next moment, you’re on the ground, pain shooting through your leg or back, surrounded by confusion and fear.

These aren’t “just accidents.” They’re the result of neglected maintenance, unsafe walkways, and ignored hazards — all conditions that could have been prevented if the city or its contractors had done their jobs.

At Marko Law, we know that a slip and fall can turn your world upside down. What starts as a simple afternoon outdoors can lead to broken bones, torn ligaments, head trauma, or spinal injuries, leaving you with mounting hospital bills, missed work, and months — sometimes years — of recovery. The physical pain is only part of it; the emotional toll of being ignored or dismissed by city officials can be devastating.

Our team of Detroit-based personal injury and civil rights attorneys has built a reputation for fighting — and winning — against powerful defendants, including municipalities that try to hide behind bureaucracy. We don’t back down when public institutions fail to protect the people they serve.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Dearborn Parks

Dearborn’s public parks are some of the most beloved spaces in Southeast Michigan — from the trails at Dearborn Hills Park to the open lawns of Ford Field Park. But when these public areas aren’t properly maintained, they become hazard zones for unsuspecting visitors.

Common causes of slip and fall injuries in Dearborn’s public parks include:

• Cracked or uneven sidewalks at Dearborn Hills Park that catch the foot of joggers or parents pushing strollers
• Unrepaired potholes or trail washouts at Ford Field Park after heavy rain
• Wet, algae-covered walkways near fountains, splash pads, or picnic shelters
• Poor lighting that hides dangers along pathways at night
• Ice and snow accumulation that city crews fail to clear within a reasonable time

When the City of Dearborn or its contractors fail to perform regular inspections or repairs, those neglected conditions can lead to life-changing injuries. Michigan law expects municipalities to maintain public property in a reasonably safe condition. Under MCL 691.1406 (Public Building Exception) and MCL 691.1402 (Highway Exception), the government may be held accountable when a public area — such as a walkway, trail, or structure — poses a foreseeable danger to visitors.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Park Slip and Fall in Dearborn?

In Michigan, most public parks — including those in Dearborn — are owned and operated by the city. That means when you’re injured on public park property, your claim often involves government entities and the complicated web of laws surrounding governmental immunity.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The City of Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department, responsible for inspection, maintenance, and safety.
• Private maintenance contractors hired by the city to handle landscaping, snow removal, or repairs.
• Third-party event organizers who temporarily use the park and fail to ensure safety during public events, fairs, or sports tournaments.

Michigan’s governmental immunity laws can make these cases difficult — cities and public agencies are generally protected from many types of lawsuits. However, this protection isn’t absolute. Exceptions exist when the government:

• Negligently fails to maintain public property;
• Ignores known hazards or fails to warn the public;
• Or creates dangerous conditions through poor maintenance or repairs.

In these cases, injured individuals may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall in a Dearborn Park

A slip and fall in a public park can happen in seconds — but what you do in the minutes, days, and weeks after can make all the difference in your recovery and your case. Michigan’s laws for injuries on public property are complex and time-sensitive, so taking the right steps immediately can help protect your rights.

Report the Incident

Contact the Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department as soon as possible. Ask to file an official incident report and request a copy for your records. Be specific about where and how the fall happened — include landmarks (like “near the pavilion at Levagood Park”) and any visible hazards such as cracks, debris, or icy patches.

Take Photos

Conditions in public parks can change quickly — hazards get cleaned up or repaired, and evidence disappears. Use your phone to take clear photos of:

• The exact location of your fall
• The unsafe condition (ice, hole, broken pavement, etc.)
• Your injuries and damaged personal property

Documenting the scene immediately can provide crucial evidence later when the city tries to deny responsibility.

Collect Witness Information

If anyone saw you fall or noticed the dangerous condition, get their names and contact information. Witnesses can be vital in confirming what happened, especially if the city disputes your claim.

Seek Medical Care

Even if you feel “okay” at first, some injuries — like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord damage — may not show symptoms right away. Visit an emergency room or doctor immediately for a full evaluation.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, even mild TBIs can have long-term effects if left untreated. Keep all medical records and follow your doctor’s recommendations closely.

Contact an Attorney Quickly

Under Michigan law (MCL 691.1404), injury victims have just 120 days to notify the city in writing of their intent to file a claim. Waiting too long can destroy your case before it even begins.
An experienced Dearborn slip and fall lawyer from Marko Law can handle the notice, investigation, and legal filings to ensure your rights are protected from the start.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

When you’re hurt in a public park because of unsafe conditions, you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover both the economic and emotional losses you’ve suffered. These damages are designed to help you rebuild your life and hold negligent parties accountable.

You may recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, rehabilitation, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment.
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: Income lost while recovering — and future earnings if your injury limits your ability to work.
• Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, mobility issues, or long-term discomfort caused by the fall.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, or trauma linked to the incident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: When your injuries prevent you from activities you once loved.
• Loss of consortium: The impact of your injury on family relationships (Cornell Law definition).

At Marko Law, we’ve secured multi-million-dollar verdicts for Michigan injury victims who were hurt on unsafe public property — proving that when government agencies fail to protect the public, we’ll make sure they’re held accountable. You can see examples of our results here: Marko Law Verdicts.

How Marko Law Builds Strong Slip and Fall Cases Against Public Entities

Filing a claim against a city government like Dearborn requires precision, persistence, and a deep understanding of municipal liability law. Many attorneys shy away from these complex cases — but Marko Law has built a reputation for taking them head-on and winning.

Here’s how we build cases that get results:

• Investigating city maintenance records and inspection logs: We subpoena public records and maintenance schedules to uncover negligence.
• Securing witness statements and video footage: Testimony and surveillance evidence can prove how long a dangerous condition existed.
• Consulting safety and engineering experts: Our experts reconstruct the accident to show how the city’s neglect caused the fall.
• Navigating governmental immunity defenses: We know the exceptions that allow victims to overcome the city’s immunity and demand accountability.

When cities try to hide behind immunity or delay tactics, we remind them — justice doesn’t stop at City Hall.
We know how to take on city attorneys — and win.
Meet our dedicated legal team here: Our Team

You Deserve More Than an Apology — You Deserve Justice

A public park should be one of the safest places in your community — where families gather, children play, and neighbors connect. When the City of Dearborn neglects its parks and someone gets hurt, it isn’t just careless — it’s a betrayal of public trust. You shouldn’t have to bear the costs of their negligence.

Don’t let governmental immunity or city bureaucracy intimidate you. You have rights under Michigan law — and with Marko Law, you have a team that knows how to make those rights count. We’ve taken on some of the toughest opponents in the state, and we’ve proven time and again that no one is above accountability.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Dearborn public park slip and fall, it’s time to take back control. Let us investigate, fight for your compensation, and stand beside you until justice is done.

📞 Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com

“You deserve more than a settlement. You deserve justice. Let’s get to work.”