Kent County Public Park Slip and Fall

Public parks are supposed to be places of rest, recreation, and family time—not emergency rooms. But for too many people in Kent County, a simple walk through a public park ends with a violent fall, broken bones, or a life-altering injury.

Slip and fall accidents happen in an instant:

• One uneven sidewalk
• One icy pathway
• One poorly maintained trail

And suddenly, you’re dealing with medical bills, lost income, and pain you never saw coming.

What makes these cases even harder? Kent County parks are government-owned property, which means different—and stricter—rules apply under Michigan law. Many injured people assume they have no rights because the property belongs to the county. That assumption is exactly what government lawyers want you to believe.

The truth is this: you may still have legal rights, even against a county or public entity.

At Marko Law, we don’t shy away from powerful defendants. We aggressively pursue cases involving public entity negligence, including dangerous conditions in Kent County parks. If the county failed to keep the park reasonably safe, we’re prepared to hold them accountable.

Who Is Legally Responsible for Kent County Park Injuries?

Kent County as the Property Owner and Operator

Kent County typically owns and operates its public parks. As the landowner, the county has legal duties related to:

• Park maintenance
• Walkway safety
• Hazard prevention
• Public access areas

When the county fails to meet those duties, it may be held legally responsible—if specific legal requirements are met.

Park Management Departments and Maintenance Crews

Responsibility may also extend to:

• County park departments
• Facilities or public works divisions
• Internal maintenance teams

Negligent inspections, delayed repairs, or ignored hazards can all form the basis of a claim.

When Third-Party Contractors Share Liability

Many Kent County parks rely on outside contractors for:

• Snow and ice removal
• Landscaping and trail maintenance
• Construction or repairs

If a private contractor created or failed to fix a dangerous condition, they may share liability alongside—or instead of—the county.

How Responsibility Is Determined in Government-Owned Property Cases

Liability depends on:

• Who controlled the area where the fall occurred
• Who had notice of the dangerous condition
• Whether reasonable steps were taken to fix or warn about the hazard

These cases require investigation, records requests, and fast legal action—because the clock starts ticking immediately.

Michigan Premises Liability Law Explained

Premises liability is the legal principle that holds property owners responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their land. In Michigan, this applies to both private and public property, though public property claims face additional hurdles.

Legal Duty Owed to Park Visitors

Most people using Kent County parks are considered invitees—members of the public invited to use the space. Under Michigan law, invitees are owed the highest duty of care.

That duty includes:

• Inspecting the property for hazards
• Repairing dangerous conditions
• Warning visitors of known risks

In some limited situations, visitors may be classified as licensees, but counties still cannot ignore known dangers.

The Requirement to Maintain Reasonably Safe Conditions

Kent County is not required to guarantee absolute safety—but it must act reasonably. That means:

• Fixing broken walkways
• Addressing known ice buildup
• Repairing deteriorating stairs, railings, or paths
• Maintaining lighting and visibility

Failing to do so can expose the county to liability under Michigan law.

The Duty to Inspect, Repair, and Warn

If the county:

• Knew about a hazard (or should have known), and
• Failed to repair it within a reasonable time, or
• Failed to warn park visitors

That failure may form the foundation of a valid slip and fall claim.

Government Immunity: The Biggest Legal Barrier

Michigan law generally protects government entities—like counties—from lawsuits. This protection is known as governmental immunity, and it exists to limit when public bodies can be sued.

Why Counties Are Usually Protected

Kent County will almost always argue:

• “We’re immune.”
• “You can’t sue the government.”

Without an experienced lawyer, many claims end right there.

Key Exceptions That Allow Injured People to Sue

Government immunity is not absolute. Michigan law recognizes specific exceptions, including situations involving:

• Dangerous conditions on public property
• Failure to maintain safe walkways
• Negligent maintenance of park structures or access areas

If your injury fits within one of these exceptions, the county can be held accountable.

The Public Building and Public Property Exceptions

Government immunity is powerful—but it is not absolute. Michigan law recognizes specific exceptions that allow injured people to sue counties when dangerous conditions exist on public property.

When the “Public Building Exception” May Apply

Under Michigan law, a government entity may be held liable when a dangerous or defective condition exists in a public building and the government failed to fix it within a reasonable time after notice.

In the context of Kent County parks, this can include:

• Park restrooms
• Visitor centers
• Covered shelters or pavilions
• Maintenance or concession buildings

If the structure itself is unsafe—and the county knew or should have known—government immunity may not apply.

Dangerous Conditions on Walkways, Restrooms, and Park Structures

Common hazards we see in Kent County park cases include:

• Broken or uneven concrete walkways
• Slippery restroom floors with no warning signs
• Crumbling stairs or loose handrails
• Poor drainage causing persistent water or ice buildup
• Rotted decking on boardwalks or viewing platforms

These are not “acts of nature.” They are maintenance failures.

How Outdoor Park Property Claims Are Analyzed Differently

Outdoor park property—like trails, sidewalks, and parking areas—falls under a different legal analysis than indoor buildings. The key questions become:

• Was the condition dangerous and unreasonable?
• Did the county have notice of the hazard?
• Was the hazard avoidable or unavoidable?

The county will often argue that outdoor hazards are “natural” or “expected.” That argument does not automatically win.

Legal Standards for Proving a “Dangerous Condition”

To succeed, an injured person must show that:

• The condition posed an unreasonable risk of harm
• It was more than a trivial defect
• The county failed to repair or warn within a reasonable time

These standards are technical—and counties exploit that complexity. That’s why experience matters.

The Open and Obvious Defense (And How We Fight It)

What “Open and Obvious” Means in Slip and Fall Cases

Michigan law allows property owners—including counties—to argue they are not liable if a hazard was “open and obvious.” This is one of the most common defenses used in public park slip and fall cases.

How Counties Use This Defense to Deny Responsibility

Kent County will often argue that:

• Uneven pavement was visible
• Ice or water was obvious
• The hazard was part of the outdoor environment

This defense is aggressively used to shut cases down early—even when serious injuries occur.

Critical Exceptions That Still Allow Claims to Succeed

Hidden Dangers

Hazards that are difficult to detect—such as:

• Ice covered by snow
• Poor lighting masking uneven surfaces
• Camouflaged defects blending into surroundings

Special Aspects

Conditions that are:

• Unreasonably dangerous, or
• Present a uniquely high risk of severe injury

Unavoidable Hazards

Situations where a person had no reasonable alternative but to encounter the danger—such as the only path to exit a park facility.

Proving Negligence in a Kent County Park Slip and Fall

The Evidence That Matters Most

Strong slip and fall cases are built on:

• Photos and video of the hazard and surrounding area
• Incident reports filed with park authorities
• Maintenance and inspection records showing neglect
• Witness statements from people who saw the fall or hazard

Why Acting Quickly Is Critical

Counties move fast to protect themselves. Hazards get repaired. Records disappear. Surveillance footage is overwritten.

Waiting too long can mean:

• Lost evidence
• Missed notice deadlines
• A permanently weakened case

How Marko Law Builds Cases Against Government Entities

We:

• Launch immediate investigations
• Secure public records before they vanish
• Consult experts when needed
• Prepare every case as if it’s going to trial

Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover

Medical Expenses

• Emergency care
• Hospitalization and surgery
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Future medical treatment

Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity

• Time missed from work
• Inability to return to your prior job
• Long-term career limitations

Pain and Suffering

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish

Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life

• Permanent limitations
• Reduced mobility
• Loss of independence or recreational activities

You Don’t Have to Accept Government Negligence

Kent County has a legal duty to keep its parks reasonably safe for the public. When that duty is violated—and someone gets hurt—the law may allow the county to be held accountable. Government immunity is not absolute, and it does not give public entities a free pass to endanger the people they serve.

What matters most is timing. Public park injury claims are governed by strict notice requirements and unforgiving deadlines. The sooner you act, the stronger your case may be—and the better your chances of preserving critical evidence before it disappears.

At Marko Law, we don’t excuse negligence just because it comes from a government entity. We challenge it. We expose it. And we fight to make it right.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

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

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