Michigan winters are no joke. One moment you’re walking into a store, heading to work, or stepping out of your car—and the next, your feet fly out from under you. It takes just one hidden patch of ice to turn an ordinary day into an emergency. In seconds, you’re on the ground, stunned, hurting, and wondering what just happened.

Slip and falls on ice aren’t minor mishaps. They can cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, torn ligaments, and long-term mobility issues that affect your work, your family, and your everyday independence. For many Michiganders, winter slip-and-fall injuries become life-changing—physically, emotionally, and financially.

And unfortunately, Michigan is a hotspot for these incidents. Snowstorms, black ice, and rapid freeze–thaw cycles make our state one of the most dangerous places in the country for winter slip-and-fall injuries.

But here’s what many people don’t realize: Michigan law requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions, even in winter. That means salting, plowing, clearing walkways, and warning visitors about dangerous icy conditions. When they fail to do their job—and someone gets hurt—they can be held accountable.

Who May Be Responsible for Your Injury?

Commercial Property Owners

Stores, malls, shopping plazas, gas stations, restaurants, office buildings—commercial properties have a legal duty to keep walkways, steps, and parking lots reasonably safe. That includes:

• Salting icy areas
• Plowing snow timely
• Regularly inspecting walkways
• Placing warning signs

Landlords & Apartment Managers

Apartment complexes and rental properties must ensure:

• Sidewalks
• Stairwells
• Entrances
• Parking lots

…are safe for tenants and guests.

Municipalities

Cities and towns are responsible for maintaining:

• Public sidewalks
• Certain road-adjacent walkways
• Government-owned property

Michigan’s governmental immunity laws can complicate claims—but injuries caused by gross negligence, failure to follow maintenance policies, or exceptionally dangerous conditions may still lead to accountability.

Snow Removal Contractors

Many businesses hire third-party companies to plow and salt their property. If the contractor:

• Failed to plow
• Didn’t salt adequately
• Ignored the terms of their contract

…they can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence.

Understanding Michigan’s Snow & Ice Laws

Property Owners’ Duty of Reasonable Care

Property owners must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. That includes:

• Salting icy walkways
• Plowing snow
• Inspecting high-traffic areas
• Fixing dangerous conditions
• Posting warnings when hazards cannot be immediately cleared

“Notice” Requirement

To hold a property owner accountable, we often look at whether they had notice of the hazard.

• Actual notice:
  They knew about the ice but didn’t fix it.
• Constructive notice:
  The ice existed long enough that they should have known, had they performed proper inspections.

The “Open and Obvious” Doctrine

For years, Michigan courts used this doctrine to deny many slip-and-fall claims by arguing that ice was “open and obvious.” But:

• Recent Michigan Supreme Court changes have sharpened exceptions
• Property owners may still be liable even if the condition is visible
• Dangerous winter hazards aren't automatically the victim’s fault

Exceptions That Strengthen Your Case

Your case may be even stronger if:

• The hazard was unavoidable
• The dangerous condition was created by the property owner
• The owner violated their own snow-removal or safety policies
• Lighting or design made the hazard more dangerous

What to Do Immediately After a Winter Slip & Fall

Photograph the Scene

Ice melts. Snow shifts. Property owners rush to “fix” what caused your fall as soon as someone gets hurt. That’s why documenting the scene right away is crucial.

Take photos or videos of:

• Ice patches where you slipped
• Lack of salt or sand on sidewalks or parking lots
• Poor lighting that hid the hazard
• Footprints or tire tracks showing no recent maintenance
• The overall condition of the area

This evidence often becomes the backbone of your claim.

Report the Incident

Always report your fall before leaving the property.

• Notify the store manager, landlord, property owner, or security
• Ask them to file an incident report
• Request a copy—or at least take a photo of it if allowed

This step makes it harder for them to deny or dispute what happened later.

Gather Witness Information

If anyone saw your fall—or noticed the dangerous conditions before or after—it can dramatically strengthen your case.

Collect:

• Names
• Phone numbers
• Statements about what they saw

Witnesses help prove that the hazard was real and prevent the property owner from shifting blame onto you.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Winter falls often cause:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Fractures
• Torn ligaments
• Internal injuries

Medical documentation is essential under Michigan law. It links your injuries directly to the fall—something insurance companies love to challenge.

Preserve Your Shoes & Clothing

Your footwear and clothing can become powerful evidence.

• Don’t wash them
• Don’t alter them
• Keep them stored in a bag as they were after the fall

Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Alone

Insurance companies representing property owners are trained to:

• Downplay injuries
• Shift blame
• Take your statements out of context
• Push lowball settlements

Key Evidence Used to Prove Liability

Surveillance Footage

Many businesses use security cameras that capture:

• How long the ice was there
• Whether any attempt was made to salt or clear it
• Maintenance failures in real time

This footage can make or break a case.

Salting & Plowing Logs

Property owners and contractors often keep logs showing:

• When they last salted
• When they last plowed
• Who performed the work
• Whether they skipped maintenance intervals

Missing or incomplete logs strongly suggest negligence.

Maintenance Contracts

If a snow-removal contractor failed to follow their contract—or did the job poorly—they may be responsible for your injuries. Contracts can show exactly what duties were promised and ignored.

Weather Reports & Temperature Records

Meteorological data helps prove:

• Ice formation timelines
• Predictable freeze-thaw cycles
• Conditions the property owner should have anticipated

We use this data to show the hazard was avoidable.

Witness Accounts

Witness testimony can confirm that:

• The ice was present for a long time
• No salt or warnings were visible
• Multiple people had slipped or complained

It’s hard for a property owner to argue against multiple firsthand accounts.

What Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Medical Costs

You may recover compensation for:

• Emergency room visits
• Surgeries
• Hospitalization
• Physical therapy
• Medication
• Long-term medical care

Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity

If your injuries affect your ability to work—short-term or long-term—you may be entitled to:

• Lost wages
• Reduced future earnings
• Job retraining support

Pain & Suffering

Winter falls are physically and emotionally traumatic. Compensation may cover:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Anxiety or PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Loss of Consortium

When injuries impact your ability to maintain normal relationships—emotionally, physically, or within your household—your spouse or family may also have a claim.

Long-Term Care & Disability Support

For serious injuries, you may require:

• In-home care
• Long-term medical assistance
• Mobility devices
• Home modifications

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one tragically dies due to an icy fall caused by negligence, surviving family members may pursue:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of financial support
• Emotional damages

Slipped on Ice? Marko Law Will Stand Up for You.

Michigan winters are unforgiving, but that does not give property owners a free pass. These incidents aren’t just “slip-ups” or “accidents.” They are the result of a property owner choosing not to take basic safety seriously.

Winter injury cases are complex, and the defenses they raise can be aggressive. At Marko Law, we have the experience, the resources, and the relentless determination to carry that burden for you.

If a winter slip-and-fall left you injured, don’t settle for excuses or denials. You deserve clarity. You deserve accountability. And you deserve a legal team that treats your case with the urgency and respect it deserves.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

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