An experienced slip and fall lawyer who specializes in this area of law and has a track record of success can help you recover compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and more if you were injured in a slip and fall at Detroit Metro Airport.
Airports pose a high risk for slips and falls due to large crowds of travelers rushing to their gates and workers scrambling to keep up. Freshly mopped or polished floors, beverage and food spills, and luggage are just some of the many obstacles fliers face before they even board their planes. If you are hurt in a fall, it’s important that you: (1) get medical attention; (2) document the scene; (3) gather witness contact information; (4) file an incident report; and (5) hire the best slip and fall lawyer you can find.
After an accident you should get a slip and fall lawyer because a seasoned attorney will investigate your claim and determine damages and liability. Because Detroit Metro Airport is publicly owned, it is generally entitled to governmental immunity, meaning it can’t be sued unless your lawyer can find an exception. There are also often other individuals and entities that can be sued for a slip and fall at an airport.
Hiring an experienced lawyer to file your slip and fall lawsuit can make the difference between a million-dollar settlement and a dismissal. You want a lawyer who specializes exclusively in slip and fall injuries, has a track record of success (including million-dollar settlements and verdicts), and is highly regarded by insurance companies and defense attorneys. Remember, there’s no risk in hiring a specialist because your consultation is always free and you will never pay up front or out of pocket. You won’t pay a dime unless you win!
What are the most common causes of a slip and fall at an airport?
Airports are extremely busy with travelers and others often rushing to their gates. As a result, slips and falls happen regularly. The most common causes of a slip and fall at an airport include:
- Freshly mopped floors (especially when there is no “Wet Floor” sign)
- Freshly polished floors
- Liquid, beverage, and food spills
- Uneven walking surfaces
- Lack of handrails
- Luggage and other obstacles
- Loose carpeting
- Electrical cords
- Poor lighting
- Poor maintenance
What should I do if I was injured in a slip and fall at Detroit Metro Airport?
If you slipped and fell at Detroit Metro Airport and suffered an injury you should take the following action:
- Seek immediate medical treatment – The first thing you should do any time you are involved in a slip and fall is get medical attention right away, even if you don’t think your injury is serious. Some injuries (especially whiplash-type injuries) don’t manifest for day or even weeks after a fall. In addition, the sooner you are treated and diagnosed the better. Not only will this speed up your recovery, but it helps you document and establish a connection between your fall and your injury.
- Document the scene – If possible, take photos and videos of the scene and the hazard that caused your injury. This will be important when establishing fault and negotiating compensation.
- Gather witness contact information – Witnesses can be critical to your case as they can describe the conditions that existed at the time of your fall, before employees can clean the area or remove the hazard.
- File an incident report – After a slip and fall at Detroit Metro Airport, be sure to file an incident report with the manager on site. If your injuries are too serious, have someone file it for you as soon as possible. An incident report provides proof that your accident occurred, which will help you defeat attempts by insurance adjusters and insurance defense lawyers who might accuse you of fabricating the accident.
- Hire the best slip & fall lawyer you can find – an experienced slip and fall lawyer who specializes exclusively in this area of law and has a track record of winning million-dollar settlements and verdicts is your best bet for getting a full and fair settlement. The insurance industry’s own data indicates that slip and fall victims who are represented by skilled attorneys often get up to four times (4x) more than those who are not.
Who is liable for a slip and fall injury at Detroit Metro Airport?
Detroit Metro Airport is publicly owned, and it is operated and managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority. Because of this, the airport is generally entitled to governmental immunity. In other words, it cannot be sued in most circumstances. However, this is not the end of your case. There are exceptions to governmental immunity, especially in cases where the airport had actual notice of a dangerous condition and failed to act. In addition, there are other actors who can potentially be sued for your injuries, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will investigate your case and determine liability.
Can I sue Detroit Metro Airport for my slip and fall injury?
To win a slip and fall lawsuit against Detroit Metro Airport, you would generally need to show that the WCAA knew or should have known about the hazardous condition that caused your injuries and had reasonable time to address it before the accident happened.
Even if the airport itself is immune from liability, there are other potentially at-fault parties who can be held accountable for your injuries. In general, to win this type of lawsuit you need to show you were owed a duty of care, that this duty was breached, and that this breach was the cause of your injuries.
In Stitt v. Holland, the Michigan Supreme Court held that a property owner “has a duty of care, not only to warn [an] invitee of any known dangers, but the additional obligation to also make the premises safe, which requires [it] to inspect the premises and, depending upon the circumstances, make any necessary repairs or warn of any discovered hazards.”
In most cases, airport passengers and others are considered “invitees” because they are invited for the purpose of travel, dining, shopping, etc., which benefits the airport. (M Civ JI 19.01).
The Michigan slip and fall statute of limitations for suing Detroit Metro Airport is 3 years from the date of the accident.
Is it worth hiring a lawyer for my slip and fall at Detroit Metro Airport?
If you were hurt in a slip and fall at Detroit Metro Airport, hiring an experienced slip and fall lawyer who specializes exclusively in this area of law is perhaps the most important thing you can do. Also, keep in mind that time is of the essence in these cases. It’s important to preserve and collect important evidence before it is lost or destroyed. A seasoned slip and fall lawyer will ensure this is done. He or she will also conduct a thorough investigation, determine liability and damages, and negotiate with the insurance company and insurance defense lawyer on your behalf. Best of all, there is no charge to hire an experienced slip and fall lawyer. Your consultation is always free, and there is no obligation. You will never pay a fee unless you win.
Named a “Leader in the Law” and “Lawyer of the Year” by Michigan’s largest legal newspaper for his record-breaking auto accident verdicts, settlements and advocacy work in preventing wrecks, Steven Gursten heads Michigan Auto Law—a firm dedicated to serious motor vehicle accident injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits.
