Troy Public Park Slip and Fall

Troy is known for its clean, safe neighborhoods and vibrant green spaces. On any given weekend, you’ll see families picnicking at Boulan Park, kids scaling the play structures at Firefighters Park, runners weaving through the Civic Center Trails, and seniors enjoying quiet moments beneath the trees at Raintree Park. These are places where Troy’s community comes together — to play, rest, and feel safe.

Public parks are supposed to be maintained with care, yet too often, neglected maintenance and poor safety inspections put residents at risk. These incidents aren’t “accidents” — they’re preventable failures.

The aftermath can be devastating. Victims often suffer from fractures, torn ligaments, concussions, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that lead to lasting pain and mobility issues. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), traumatic brain injuries can cause lifelong complications, from memory loss to behavioral changes.

At Marko Law, we represent victims throughout Troy and Oakland County who’ve been hurt because of city negligence. Led by trial attorney Jon Marko, our firm is known across Michigan for standing up to powerful entities — from local governments to corporate giants — and winning high-stakes personal injury and civil rights cases. When the city fails its duty to protect the public, we hold them accountable.

The Law: When Is the City of Troy Liable for a Park Injury?

Many victims don’t realize that suing a city for negligence is not as straightforward as filing a normal personal injury lawsuit. That’s because under Michigan law, public entities like the City of Troy enjoy governmental immunity — a legal shield found in the Governmental Tort Liability Act (MCL 691.1401 et seq.).

This law protects cities and counties from most lawsuits. However, that immunity isn’t absolute. There are critical exceptions where the government can be held accountable.

One of the most common legal theories used in park injury cases is premises liability — the idea that a property owner, including a city, is responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for resulting injuries.

Here are the key exceptions under Michigan law that may apply to a Troy park slip and fall case:

• Public Building Exception (MCL 691.1406):
  If your injury occurred inside or near a structure owned by the city — such as the Troy Community Center, park restrooms, or a covered pavilion — the city can be liable if it failed to keep that area in proper repair.
• Highway Exception (MCL 691.1403):
  This applies to sidewalks, parking areas, and trails that the city is required to maintain. If those surfaces are broken, uneven, or unsafe, and the city knew (or should have known) about the condition, they can be sued for failing to fix it.

The City of Troy is liable when it “knew or should have known” about a dangerous condition and failed to act within a reasonable time to repair it or warn the public.

Who May Be Responsible for a Troy Park Slip and Fall

Public park injury cases often involve multiple parties — and figuring out who’s truly responsible is one of the most critical steps in your claim. Our team investigates every angle to identify every liable entity, which might include:

• City of Troy Parks and Recreation Department:
  The department responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and repairing local parks such as Boulan Park, Raintree Park, and Firefighters Park. Failure to inspect or repair hazards may establish liability.
• Oakland County Parks Department:
  Certain park areas or trails may fall under county jurisdiction. Overlapping maintenance responsibilities between city and county agencies often lead to dangerous oversights.
• Private Contractors:
  The city frequently outsources snow removal, landscaping, or repair work. If a contractor failed to salt an icy walkway or fix a broken surface, they can also be sued for negligence.
• Event Organizers or Vendors:
  If you were injured during a community event, and the injury was caused by poorly secured tents, electrical cords, or temporary structures, the responsible party may be a private organization — not the city.

Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer (like the city or a contractor) can be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of its employees while on duty. That means if a city worker ignored a dangerous hazard or a maintenance company did sloppy work, the entity employing them can be held accountable.

Legal Elements of a Slip and Fall Claim

Winning a park injury case means proving negligence — a failure by the responsible party to act with reasonable care. The law requires your lawyer to prove four key elements, as defined by Cornell Law School:

1. Duty:
   The City of Troy had a legal duty to keep its parks, paths, and facilities safe for public use.
2. Breach:
   The city (or its contractors) failed to inspect, repair, or warn about a known hazard.
3. Causation:
   That hazard directly caused your fall and resulting injuries.
4. Damages:
   You suffered real harm — physical pain, emotional trauma, or financial losses.

At Marko Law, we prove these elements through meticulous investigation and evidence gathering:

• On-site investigations and photographs before the city repairs the hazard
• Witness interviews and incident reports that document the fall
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to obtain maintenance records, complaints, and inspection schedules
• Expert testimony from engineers, physicians, and safety specialists who can demonstrate how negligence caused the injury

Our firm doesn’t rely on assumptions — we build the case from the ground up. We visit the scene, interview witnesses, and gather the proof that forces negligent parties to take responsibility.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

A slip and fall in a Troy park can lead to far more than temporary pain. It can leave you facing mounting medical bills, missed work, and lasting physical and emotional scars. Michigan law allows you to seek financial recovery for all losses directly tied to the city’s negligence.

Here’s what you may be entitled to recover:

• Medical Expenses:
  Covers ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and future medical care related to your injury.
• Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity:
  If your injuries keep you from working — temporarily or permanently — you can recover lost income and compensation for your diminished ability to earn in the future.
• Pain and Suffering:
  Compensation for chronic pain, limited mobility, emotional distress, anxiety, and other long-term effects on your daily life.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life:
  If your injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies, sports, or daily activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to additional damages.
• Loss of Consortium:
  When your injuries affect your relationship, intimacy, or ability to support and connect with your loved ones (Cornell Law – Loss of Consortium).
• Punitive Damages:
  In rare cases involving gross negligence or reckless disregard for public safety, courts may award punitive damages to punish wrongdoing and deter future neglect (Cornell Law – Punitive Damages).

Every case is unique, and results vary. A skilled trial lawyer evaluates every factor — from medical evidence to long-term impact — before demanding the maximum compensation available under the law.

What to Do After a Troy Park Injury

If you’ve been hurt in a Troy public park, taking the right steps right away can make all the difference in your case. Evidence fades fast — and cities often repair or cover up hazards after an injury. Here’s what to do:

1. Report the Incident Immediately
   Notify the City of Troy Parks & Recreation Department or park personnel. Make sure they document your report and give you a copy if possible.
2. Take Photos and Videos
   Capture the exact condition that caused your fall — cracks, ice, poor lighting, or debris. Photograph your injuries and surroundings from multiple angles.
3. Seek Medical Care Right Away
   Even minor pain can signal serious underlying injury. Go to the ER or urgent care and keep all records and bills.
4. Collect Witness Information
   Write down names and phone numbers of anyone who saw your fall or knows about unsafe conditions in the park.
5. Call Marko Law Before Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
   The city’s insurance company will reach out quickly — often to minimize your claim or elicit statements that can be used against you. Don’t talk to them without legal counsel.

At Marko Law, we’ll handle every communication, investigation, and filing deadline. You focus on recovery — we’ll focus on justice.

Get Legal Help After a Troy Public Park Injury

If you’ve been injured in a Troy public park, you don’t have to take on City Hall or insurance attorneys alone. These cases require bold advocacy, deep legal knowledge, and the determination to stand up to powerful institutions — qualities that define Marko Law.

Our firm knows how to navigate Michigan’s governmental immunity laws, uncover evidence that cities try to bury, and fight for real compensation — not lowball settlements.

Your injuries matter. Your voice matters. And we’re ready to make sure both are heard.

📞 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.