Oakland County Public Park Slip and Fall

It’s a perfect Michigan weekend — families gather for picnics at Catalpa Oaks, runners weave through the wooded trails of Independence Oaks, and children laugh as they chase one another across the playgrounds at Marshbank Park. The smell of barbecue drifts through the air, and for a moment, life feels peaceful.

Then it happens.

A hidden crack in the pavement catches your foot. A slick patch of water in the restroom sends you flying. Maybe it’s an uneven set of steps or a missing handrail near the pavilion. In an instant, that beautiful day turns into a nightmare of pain, confusion, and fear.

You didn’t expect to end your day in the ER instead of by the lake. You didn’t plan to deal with X-rays, medical bills, or days off work — all because the park wasn’t properly maintained.

Public parks are meant to be safe places for families and neighbors to gather. But when cities or counties neglect their duty to maintain these spaces, innocent people pay the price. Slip and fall injuries in Oakland County parks are not just “accidents” — they’re preventable failures.

At Marko Law, we see these cases for what they really are: violations of public trust. Our Detroit-based trial firm represents victims of slip and fall accidents across Oakland County — from Farmington Hills and Troy to Rochester Hills and Southfield.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Oakland County Parks

Many park injuries happen not because people are careless, but because someone failed to do their job. Public parks across Oakland County attract thousands of visitors each week — and every one of those visitors has a right to expect basic safety standards.

Unfortunately, many parks fall short.

Here are some of the most common causes of slip and fall injuries in Oakland County public parks:

• Cracked or broken walkways at popular locations like Catalpa Oaks, Red Oaks, or Independence Oaks.
• Ice and snow accumulation in the winter, especially when maintenance crews fail to salt or clear sidewalks and paths.
• Slippery docks or piers at lakeside parks such as Addison Oaks or Waterford Oaks, creating hidden dangers for anglers and families.
• Unstable playground equipment or loose surfaces that cause children and parents to fall.
• Poor lighting and unmarked elevation changes on nature trails or parking lots, making it difficult to see hazards after dark.

A park injury isn’t bad luck — it’s a warning sign that safety standards weren’t followed. When maintenance workers, contractors, or city officials ignore known hazards, they can be held accountable under Michigan law.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Oakland County Park Slip and Fall

Many victims assume they can’t take legal action because the park is public property. But that’s not always true. Michigan law includes exceptions that allow people to pursue claims against government entities when negligence causes injury.

Here’s how it works:

The State of Michigan grants governmental immunity to public entities, but Marko Law has successfully challenged those defenses using legal exceptions such as:

• MCL 691.1406 – Public Building Exception: Covers unsafe conditions in public facilities such as restrooms, pavilions, and concession areas.
• MCL 691.1402 – Highway Exception: Applies to unsafe sidewalks, trails, and other public walkways.

Depending on where your fall occurred, the responsible party might include:

• The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, which manages large regional parks.
• A local municipality — like Royal Oak, Troy, Southfield, or Farmington Hills — if the injury occurred in a city-managed park.
• Private maintenance or snow removal contractors hired by the county or city.
• Manufacturers of defective playground or park equipment.

We also use the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior”, which holds an employer or government entity responsible for its employees’ negligence (learn more here).

Common Injuries in Public Park Slip and Fall Cases

What might seem like a simple fall can result in life-altering injuries. The hard surfaces and open spaces of a park mean there’s often nothing to break your fall — just concrete, gravel, or frozen ground.

Common injuries from slip and fall accidents in Oakland County parks include:

• Fractures and dislocations of the wrist, hip, or ankle.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) caused by striking your head (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).
• Spinal cord and back trauma, including herniated discs and nerve damage (NIH spinal cord injury resource).
• Chronic pain, soft tissue injuries, and nerve damage that limit movement and daily activities.

The ripple effects can be enormous: weeks of missed work, mounting medical bills, and the emotional toll of living in pain. Many victims develop anxiety about returning to the same park or even leaving home.

What to Do Right After a Slip and Fall in an Oakland County Park

If you’ve been injured in an Oakland County park, your actions immediately after the incident can make or break your case. Follow these steps to protect yourself and your rights:

1. Seek medical attention immediately. Get checked out even if you think you’re fine. Some injuries, like concussions or internal damage, don’t appear right away.
2. Report the incident. Contact the Oakland County Parks Department or the local city’s parks and recreation division to file an official report.
3. Document everything. Take photos or videos of the scene, the hazard, your injuries, and weather conditions.
4. Gather witness information. Get names and contact info for anyone who saw the fall or knows the hazard’s history.
5. Do not make recorded statements or sign anything without legal advice. Adjusters and city attorneys often try to minimize liability.
6. Act fast. Under Michigan law, injury claims against government entities require written notice within 120 days. Miss that deadline, and you may lose your right to recover compensation.

Marko Law can help you file this notice and handle every step of the process — from investigation to litigation — so you can focus on healing.

How Marko Law Builds and Wins Slip and Fall Cases

Winning a public park slip and fall case in Oakland County isn’t just about knowing the law — it’s about proving negligence beyond doubt. At Marko Law, we build every case as if it’s headed for trial. Our team leaves no stone unturned because powerful defendants — especially government entities — rarely admit fault without a fight.

Here’s how our firm uncovers the truth and delivers justice for our clients:

• Site Visits and Hazard Documentation: We go to the park, photograph and measure the scene, and document every unsafe condition — whether it’s a broken step, poor lighting, or a dangerous slope. Evidence can disappear fast, so we act immediately.
• Review of Weather and Maintenance Logs: We analyze city and county maintenance records, snow removal schedules, and weather data to prove the government knew or should have known about a hazard.
• FOIA Requests (Freedom of Information Act): We file public record requests to obtain city inspection reports, citizen complaints, and internal memos that reveal patterns of neglect or delayed repairs.
• Expert Witness Testimony: Our team works with engineers, safety experts, and medical specialists to show how the fall happened, why it was preventable, and how it impacted your health and livelihood.

We don’t shy away from powerful defendants — we hold them accountable. Whether it’s a municipality, a state agency, or a private contractor, Marko Law has the skill, grit, and courtroom experience to take them head-on.

Understanding Compensation in Public Park Injury Claims

A fall in a public park doesn’t just hurt your body — it can derail your entire life. From medical bills to lost income and emotional trauma, the costs pile up fast. That’s why it’s vital to understand what compensation may be available.

Victims of public park slip and fall accidents in Oakland County may recover damages for:

• Medical Bills and Ongoing Care Costs: Including ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Lost Income and Reduced Earning Potential: Compensation for time off work and diminished ability to earn in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: For the physical agony and daily limitations caused by your injuries.
• Emotional Distress and Reduced Quality of Life: Many victims experience anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment in activities they once loved.
• Loss of Consortium: When injuries impact the love, companionship, or intimacy between spouses or partners .

While punitive damages (meant to punish bad conduct) are generally not available against government entities, they may apply to private contractors or third parties whose actions were grossly negligent or reckless (see source).

You Deserve More Than an Excuse — You Deserve Justice

A quiet walk through Independence Oaks or a sunny afternoon at Red Oaks shouldn’t end in pain, hospital visits, and unanswered questions. Yet when public officials fail to maintain safe parks, innocent people get hurt.

At Marko Law, we don’t settle for excuses — we demand accountability. We’ve proven time and again that even the biggest institutions can be held responsible when they break the law or betray the public’s trust.

If you or a loved one were injured in an Oakland County public park slip and fall, we’re ready to fight for you.

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

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