House Bill Aims To Stop Cell Phone Use By Michigan Drivers

House Bill Aims To Stop Cell Phone Use By Michigan Drivers

Negligent Infliction Of Emotional Distress: Bystander Recovery

Negligent Infliction Of Emotional Distress: Bystander Recovery

Have you witnessed an injury to a close family member caused by someone else’s negligence? Did you subsequently suffer emotional distress after seeing a love one harmed? If so, you may be able to bring a claim for Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress. 

Beware Of High PIP Coverage Deductibles In Your Michigan No-Fault Policy

Beware Of High PIP Coverage Deductibles In Your Michigan No-Fault Policy

If you are involved in a Michigan auto accident, you are entitled to receive personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from the responsible no-fault insurer (usually this is your own insurance company). However, you should be aware that your auto insurance policy may have a high deductible that applies when you submit a claim for PIP benefits. 

Motor Vehicle Service And Repair Act: Relief From Negligent Motor Vehicle Service Repair Jobs

Motor Vehicle Service And Repair Act: Relief From Negligent Motor Vehicle Service Repair Jobs

Have you ever taken your car to a repair shop for a quick oil change, tire rotation or other routine maintenance and repairs only to get the vehicle back in a worse condition than when you dropped it off? If so, the Motor Vehicle Service & Repair Act (MVSRA) may provide you relief. 

Who Is The Responsible Michigan No-Fault Provider After An Auto Accident?

Who Is The Responsible Michigan No-Fault Provider After An Auto Accident?

Under the Michigan No-Fault Act, personal injury protection (PIP) benefits are available to anyone who sustains an injury “arising out of the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle.” MCL 500.3105. In most situations, the injured person receives no-fault benefits from his or her own insurance company. However, even if you do not have a car, you can still be injured in an auto accident. A passenger or pedestrian is still entitled to no-fault benefits regardless of whether he or she was the owner, driver or even an occupant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident.

Failing To Wear Your Seat Belt Could Cost You 5% Of Your Motor Vehicle Tort Recovery

Failing To Wear Your Seat Belt Could Cost You 5% Of Your Motor Vehicle Tort Recovery

Aside from putting you at risk for serious injuries if involved in a car accident, failing to wear your seat belt could make your responsible for a civil infraction. It could also constitute negligence and reduce your tort recovery in a subsequent motor vehicle negligence case against the at-fault driver.

Who Are The Proper Defendants In Michigan Dog Bite Attacks?

Who Are The Proper Defendants In Michigan Dog Bite Attacks?

One important element of a dog bite claim is properly identifying the party responsible. The proper defendant in a Michigan dog bite attack is the owner, keeper or possessor of the animal. Check out our new blog post to learn the differences of each and for more information on Michigan Dog Bite law. 

Statute of Limitations For Michigan Personal Injury Cases

Statute of Limitations For Michigan Personal Injury Cases

The Statute of Limitations sets forth the maximum time after an event in which legal proceedings can be initiated. After the statute of limitations expires, unless a legal exception applies, the injured party loses the right to file a lawsuit. Don't wait until the time period for filing your claim expires to get compensation for your injuries. 

Can I Sue A Restaurant For Food Poisoning?

Can I Sue A Restaurant For Food Poisoning?

According to the Center For Disease Control And Prevention, 48 million Americans suffer from food poisoning each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. If you have ever suffered an illness as a result of food served at a restaurant or purchased at a grocery store, you may have wondered if you could pursue a claim for damages. 

Worker's Compensation Liens On Third-Party Personal Injury Recoveries

Worker's Compensation Liens On Third-Party Personal Injury Recoveries

If you have been injured by a third-party while on the job, you may be entitled to bring a negligence case against the responsible party in addition to receiving worker's compensation benefits. However, your employer/worker's compensation carrier may have a lien on your third-party case for benefits it paid.

Coordinated & Excess Medical Coverage In Your Auto Insurance Policy

Coordinated & Excess Medical Coverage In Your Auto Insurance Policy

The Michigan No-Fault Act allows your insurance carrier to sell two types of no-fault coverage: full medical coverage and coordinated or excess coverage.

How Long After An Auto Accident Do I Have To Apply For Michigan No-Fault Benefits?

How Long After An Auto Accident Do I Have To Apply For Michigan No-Fault Benefits?

First-party benefits are commonly provided by your own auto insurance company and provide compensation for certain economic losses: typically hospital and medical expenses, wage loss and replacement services. In order to receive the maximum first-party benefits, the claimant must provide notice to the responsible insurance company within one year of the accident. 

Gov. Snyder Signs HB 4686 Extending Open & Obvious Defense To Local Governments

Gov. Snyder Signs HB 4686 Extending Open & Obvious Defense To Local Governments

Last week, Governor Snyder signed HB 4686, a bill that allows municipalities to use the "open and obvious" defense to claims alleging dangerous, defective, and unrepaired sidewalks. This law, which will go into effect immediately, will make cities effectively immune and removes any incentive to maintain city sidewalks.

Michigan Loss Of Consortium: Damages For The Spouse Of An Injured Person

Michigan Loss Of Consortium: Damages For The Spouse Of An Injured Person

Did you know that under Michigan law, the spouse of an injured person may have an independent claim for damages in the amount of the value of the services, society and companionship, and sexual relationship the spouse has been deprived of? 

Metro Detroit Injury Lawyers Reach $200,000 Pre-Suit Third-Party Auto Accident Settlement

Metro Detroit Injury Lawyers Reach $200,000 Pre-Suit Third-Party Auto Accident Settlement

Metro Detroit Injury Lawyers reached a $200,000 pre-suit settlement with the driver and vehicle owner responsible for causing a severe automobile accident this past July in eastern Michigan. 

Sewer System Exception To Governmental Immunity

Sewer System Exception To Governmental Immunity

Generally, the government is immune from tort liability when engaged in a governmental function (see When Can The Government Be Sued?). However, an exception exists for a sewage overflow or backup if the disposal system had a defect and the incident constitutes a "sewage disposal system event" as defined by statute. 

Proposed Changes To Michigan No-Fault Would Harm Seriously Injured Accident Victims

Michigan legislators and the Insurance Coalition have proposed changes to Michigan's No-Fault Auto Insurance system that would harm seriously injured accident victims, while benefiting insurance companies. The proposed changes, would significantly reduce benefits for catastrophic claims without any guarantee that Michigan drivers would see a reduction in their rates. Contact your state representative or senator today to have your voice heard. 

Proprietary Function Exception To Governmental Immunity

Proprietary Function Exception To Governmental Immunity

Generally, the government is immune from tort liability when engaged in a governmental function (see When Can The Government Be Sued?). However, an exception to this general rule exists for actions to recover for “bodily injury or property damage arising out of the performance of a proprietary function.” 

Medical Care Exception To Governmental Immunity

Medical Care Exception To Governmental Immunity

Generally, the government is immune from tort liability when engaged in a governmental function (see When Can The Government Be Sued?). However, an exception to this general rule exists for medical care provided by a government agency or employee. 

Public Building Exception To Governmental Immunity

Public Building Exception To Governmental Immunity

Generally, the government is immune from tort liability when engaged in a governmental function (see When Can The Government Be Sued?). However, an exception to this general rule exists for injuries caused by improperly maintained public buildings.