Farmington Hills Premises Liability Lawyer

Slip, trip, and falls on a sidewalk on Orchard Lake Road or at the 12 Mile shopping centers can cause life-changing injuries. For this reason, you need an experienced Farmington Hills premises liability lawyer. Over the past 30+ years, the Davis Law Center has held negligent property owners accountable and recovered millions for its Farmington Hills and Metro Detroit neighbors. That is why we are the law firm other lawyers call when their own clients are injured in a slip-and-fall.

Our firm has an impressive track record of success, having achieved substantial settlements and jury verdicts. You can depend on us to handle all the details of your claim so you can focus on healing. We offer free consultations and will charge no attorney fees until we recover for you. Contact us today so we can start working on your claim.

Premises Liability in Michigan

All property owners in Michigan have a legal duty to maintain their premises and to provide a safe environment for visitors and guests. This obligation applies to private, public, and commercial properties, including homes, businesses, parks, and government buildings. When they fail to meet these obligations and an injury results, property owners can be held legally responsible.

Michigan premises liability law recognizes different categories of visitors – invitees, licensees, and trespassers – each with varying levels of protection. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, who are on the property for business purposes, followed by licensees, who are there for social reasons. Trespassers receive the least legal protection, although property owners cannot willfully harm them.

⚖️ Important Update: The “Open and Obvious” Law has Changed

If you were injured on someone else’s property in the past, you may have been told you didn’t have a case because the hazard was “open and obvious.” Under the old Michigan rule (Lugo), property owners could often have cases dismissed if a judge found they had no legal duty to make their property safe in circumstances where a “reasonable person” should have seen or expected the danger.

As of 2023–2026, those days are over. Following the landmark Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Kandil-Elsayed v. F&E Oil, the legal landscape has been restored to favor the victim:

• Property Owners Still Have a Duty: A business or homeowner cannot ignore a hazard simply because it is visible. They have a proactive legal duty to maintain safe premises.
• Judges vs. Juries: Previously, judges would often throw these cases out before they ever reached a jury. Now, the question of whether a hazard was “obvious” is usually a matter of comparative fault for a jury to decide.
• Partial Fault Doesn’t Mean No Case: Even if you were partially distracted (e.g., looking at your phone or a shopping list), you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for your own injuries.

The Davis Law Center Edge: Many firms are still using “old law” playbooks. We understand the nuances of the 2023–2026 case law and how to ensure the jury sees the property owner’s negligence as the primary cause of your injury.

Our Firm Handles All Types of Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability cases can vary greatly, each with its unique circumstances and legal complexities. Some of the most common types of premises liability claims we handle at Davis Law Center include:

• Slip and fall accidents due to hazardous conditions like wet floors, icy walkways, or uneven surfaces
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Inadequate maintenance, such as broken stairs, loose railings, or faulty electrical wiring.
• Negligent security in public or commercial spaces that results in assaults or other harm to visitors.
• Swimming pool accidents in private or public pools often result from inadequate supervision or faulty equipment.
• Elevator and escalator accidents due to malfunctions or improper maintenance.

We will leverage our skills and experience to establish the property owner’s liability and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Farmington Hills Slip & Fall FAQs

Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you that you ‘should have been looking where you were going.’ The law has changed, and so have your rights. Call Neil Davis at (248) 865-7740 for a fresh look at your case.

📸 The 5-Step Davis Law Center Scene Preservation Guide

If you are injured on a property in Farmington Hills—whether it’s a big-box retailer on Orchard Lake Rd or a private office complex—follow these steps to protect your claim.

1. Document the “Why” (The Hazard)

Under the new Michigan law, we need to prove the property owner breached their duty.

• Take Photos: Get close-ups of the hazard (ice, spilled liquid, uneven pavement) and “wide shots” showing the lack of warning signs or salt.
• The “Finger Test”: If you slipped on ice, poke it. Is it thick? Is there salt? Note if it was “black ice” (invisible) vs. visible slush.

2. Identify the “Who” (Witnesses)

Store employees are often reluctant to help later.

• Independent Witnesses: Look for other shoppers or pedestrians. Get their names and phone numbers immediately.
• Employee Names: If a manager assists you, get their name and title. Note if they say things like, “I told them to clean that up an hour ago”—this is “Admission of Notice” and is gold for your case.

3. Report It (But Don’t Sign It)

• File an Incident Report: Ask the manager to create a formal report.
• Request a Copy: Take a photo of the report with your phone.
• ⚠️ Crucial Tip: Do not sign any statement that admits fault (e.g., “I wasn’t looking”) or downplays your injuries. Just stick to the facts: “I fell on a spill in Aisle 4.”

4. Seek “Local” Medical Care

Insurance companies track how long you wait to see a doctor.

• Go to an emergency room or urgent care in the Farmington Hills area (e.g., Corewell Health/Beaumont Farmington Hills or Henry Ford West Bloomfield).
• Tell the doctor exactly what caused the fall so it is recorded in your medical narrative.

5. Secure the Video Footage

• Most stores (Meijer, Target, etc.) loop their surveillance footage every 7 to 30 days.
• Call Davis Law Center at (248) 865-7740 immediately. We can send a formal “Spoliation Letter” to the property owner, legally requiring them to preserve the video of your fall.

How Davis Law Center Can Help With Your Premises Liability Case

👨‍⚖️ About Neil Davis: Over 30 Years of Proven Results

When you hire the Davis Law Center, you aren’t just a claim number—you are partnering with a seasoned litigator who has spent over three decades fighting for the rights of the injured in Farmington Hills and across Oakland County.

• Experience: Neil Davis has over 33 years of experience exclusively representing victims of negligence.
• Education: He earned his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University.
• Professional Recognition: * Lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (an honor held by fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys).
  • Recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers.
• A “Human-First” Approach: Neil founded the Davis Law Center on the principle that insurance companies often devalue legitimate claims. He takes pride in “handling the heavy lifting” so his clients can focus on healing.

🏢 Why Other Attorneys Refer to Neil Davis

Unlike the law firms you see on morning TV or highway billboards, the Davis Law Center is built primarily on referrals from other attorneys and former clients.

• Local Court Knowledge: Based on Northwestern Highway, Neil knows the local Farmington Hills and Oakland County court systems, the local defense bar, and the specific nuances of Michigan’s premises liability statutes.
• Trial Ready: While many claims are settled out of court, Neil meticulously prepares every case for trial to ensure the best possible outcome.
• Direct Access: Referring partners trust that their clients will have direct access to Neil via telephone, email, and a secure client portal—not just a junior associate or intake center.

🏗️ Our Premises Liability Investigative Process

We don’t just file paperwork; we build a narrative of negligence. At Davis Law Center, we:

1. Thoroughly investigate and photograph the accident site immediately.
2. Obtain and review police reports, incident logs, and medical records.
3. Identify and interview eyewitnesses who were at the scene.
4. Preserve Evidence: We work to secure security footage before it is deleted by retailers or property owners.

📞 Contact Davis Law Center – Your Experienced Farmington Hills Premises Liability Attorney Today

Fees: We operate on a contingency fee basis—you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Office Location: 30500 Northwestern Hwy. #500, Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Phone: (248) 865-7740

Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for personal injury accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macomb County, Wayne County, Oakland County, and all of Michigan.