Michigan Apartment Complex Slip and Fall Lawyer

You don’t expect to suffer a serious injury walking to your car, grabbing your mail, or taking the stairs to your apartment. Home is supposed to be a place of security—not a source of danger. But when landlords and property managers neglect their basic responsibilities, that sense of safety disappears in a split second.

Slip and fall injuries at Michigan apartment complexes are far too common—and almost always preventable. These accidents don’t happen because tenants are careless. They happen because someone failed to do their job. Maybe the snow wasn’t cleared. Maybe a broken stair went unrepaired for months. Maybe the lighting in a hallway was out for weeks without anyone fixing it.

When landlords ignore complaints, delay repairs, or fail to maintain the property, they violate the duty they owe to tenants and guests. And under Michigan law, that can be grounds for a premises liability claim.

At Marko Law, we’ve represented countless injury victims across the state. We know how hard it is to stand up to a landlord or property management company—especially when they try to intimidate you, deny responsibility, or blame you for the fall. We also know how to fight back.

Who’s Liable? Understanding Landlord and Property Manager Responsibilities

Landlords Owe You More Than Rent Space—They Owe You Safety

In Michigan, landlords have a legal “duty of care” to keep their apartment complexes reasonably safe for tenants, guests, and anyone lawfully on the property. This means they’re not just responsible for what happens inside your unit—they’re also responsible for:

• Clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways
• Fixing broken stairs, loose railings, or uneven pavement
• Ensuring proper lighting in hallways, stairwells, and common areas
• Promptly addressing water leaks or slippery surfaces
• Repairing damaged flooring, cracked tiles, or unsafe carpeting

Failing to take these steps—especially after a complaint or injury—can make the landlord legally liable for any harm that follows.

Property Management Companies Can’t Hide Behind the Owner

Many landlords outsource the day-to-day running of their properties to property management companies. These companies take over responsibility for maintenance, repairs, and tenant safety. If you slipped because of a neglected hazard—and that company knew or should have known about it—they may be directly liable.

At Marko Law, we investigate every layer of responsibility:

• Who manages the building?
• Who handles snow removal or repairs?
• Were there prior complaints?
• Was the hazard known—and ignored?

What About Contractors and Third Parties?

Sometimes landlords or managers hire third-party contractors to clear snow, fix stairs, or clean common areas. If these vendors cut corners or do a negligent job, they too can be named in your injury claim.

Michigan Premises Liability Law: What You Must Prove

Duty of Care

Michigan law requires landlords and property owners to keep their property in a “reasonably safe condition” for people legally on the premises. This includes:

• Tenants living in the apartment complex
• Guests of tenants
• Maintenance or delivery workers

This duty covers common areas such as hallways, sidewalks, stairs, laundry rooms, and parking lots. Landlords must regularly inspect these areas and take reasonable steps to fix or warn about hazards.

Breach of Duty

It’s not enough to say the property was dangerous—you must show that the landlord or property manager breached their duty by failing to act. That could include:

• Ignoring a tenant complaint about broken stairs
• Failing to remove ice after a snowstorm
• Letting lighting remain out for weeks in a stairwell
• Not fixing a known water leak that caused slippery floors

You must prove that the landlord knew or should have known about the danger—and did nothing.

Causation

Next, you need to prove that the unsafe condition directly caused your injury. For example:

• You slipped on an unlit stairway and broke your leg
• You fell on untreated ice in the parking lot and suffered a back injury

Your medical records, witness statements, and photos of the scene all help establish this link.

Damages

Finally, you must show that you suffered actual harm. This includes:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term rehabilitation or disability

At Marko Law, we help you fully document your damages so nothing gets overlooked or undervalued.

“Open and Obvious” Doctrine: A Landlord’s Favorite Excuse

Michigan’s “open and obvious” doctrine can limit your ability to recover damages if the hazard was something a “reasonable person would have seen and avoided.” For example, a large puddle in broad daylight might be considered obvious, even if it was caused by landlord negligence.

But there are exceptions—especially if:

• The hazard wasn’t visible due to lighting conditions
• You had no reasonable way to avoid it
• The danger posed an “unreasonable risk of harm” despite being visible

Different Duties Owed to Different People

• Tenants and guests are owed the highest duty of care.
• Licensees (like friends visiting or delivery drivers) are also protected.
• Trespassers have minimal protection, unless they’re children or there was willful harm involved.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

Medical Expenses – Past and Future

From emergency room visits and ambulance rides to ongoing treatment and surgery, medical costs add up fast. We help you claim:

• ER and hospital bills
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Prescription medication
• Surgery or specialist follow-ups
• Future medical needs related to your injury

Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity

If your injury kept you from working—or will impact your ability to earn a living long-term—you have a right to be compensated for:

• Missed paychecks during recovery
• Sick time or vacation days used for medical leave
• Reduced hours or job loss
• Inability to return to your profession due to permanent injury

Pain and Suffering

This is more than physical pain. It’s about what you’ve endured:

• Sleepless nights
• Inability to care for your family
• Missed life events
• Loss of independence
• Anxiety or depression caused by your injury

Long-Term Care and Physical Therapy

Many falls result in injuries that require months or years of rehab—especially in cases involving head trauma, spinal injuries, or fractures. You may need:

• Ongoing physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• In-home care or mobility equipment
• Home modifications

Out-of-Pocket Costs and Emotional Distress

These add up quickly, and may include:

• Transportation to medical appointments
• Childcare while you recover
• Medical devices like braces, crutches, or wheelchairs
• Counseling or therapy for trauma

What to Do After a Slip and Fall in an Apartment Complex

Report the Fall to Property Management Immediately

Don’t wait. Tell the landlord, on-site manager, or leasing office what happened right away. Ask for:

• A written incident report
• The name and contact of the person you spoke with
• A copy or confirmation of the report

This creates a paper trail and forces management to acknowledge the hazard existed.

Take Photos and Document the Scene

Before anyone fixes the issue, take photos of:

• The hazard (ice, broken stair, puddle, poor lighting)
• Your injuries (bruising, bleeding, swelling)
• The surrounding area (signs, lighting, nearby units)

Seek Medical Care—Even If You Think You’re “Okay”

Many injuries—like sprains, concussions, or back trauma—don’t show up immediately. Delaying care can:

• Worsen your condition
• Undermine your legal claim
• Give insurance adjusters room to doubt your injury

Get checked out, follow your doctor’s advice, and keep all medical records.

Get Witness Information and Save Communication

Did anyone see you fall? Talk to neighbors, visitors, or staff who were nearby. Collect:

• Full names
• Contact info
• A brief statement (if they’re willing)

Also save any texts, emails, or voicemails with the landlord or management about the fall or hazard.

Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer ASAP

Before you talk to insurance adjusters or sign anything from the property manager, call an experienced personal injury attorney. At Marko Law, we:

• Launch an immediate investigation
• Preserve critical evidence before it’s lost
• Handle all communication with the landlord and their insurance
• Fight to get you the maximum compensation

You Pay Rent. You Deserve Safety.

No one should suffer life-changing injuries because a landlord didn’t shovel the walkway, fix a broken stair, or replace a burnt-out hallway light. But it happens every day across Michigan—and too often, those responsible try to walk away without consequence.

You don’t have to let that happen.

If you slipped and fell in an apartment complex, you have legal rights—and Marko Law is here to enforce them. We’ve taken on big property management companies, unresponsive landlords, and insurance carriers who thought they could lowball or ignore tenants. They were wrong.

We build tough cases. We fight for full compensation. And we don’t back down—ever.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com

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