Oakland County Premises Liability Attorney
Slip-and-falls, snow and ice, negligent security, and dangerous-condition claims demand more than a settlement letter — they demand a trial lawyer ready to challenge insurer defenses head-on. Attorney Manny Chahal handles premises liability matters across Oakland County, including Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Royal Oak, and Troy.
Cases We Handle
Trial-tested representation for serious injury matters in this region.
Slip-and-Fall
Wet floors, transitory substances, and unmaintained walkways in retail and commercial properties.
Snow & Ice Falls
Premises duty in Michigan winters — effective ice-management and shovel-clearing protocols are routinely litigated post-incident.
Trip-and-Fall
Uneven sidewalks, unmarked elevation changes, parking lot pothole and curb defects.
Negligent Security
Foreseeable third-party criminal acts at apartment complexes, parking structures, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Dog Bite Injury
Strict-liability dog bite claims under MCL 287.351.
Inadequate Lighting & Maintenance
Common-area defects, building code violations, and ADA-related fall hazards.
Michigan Law Driving Your Claim
The statutes that govern recovery in this matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michigan still an open-and-obvious state?
In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court in Kandil-Elsayed v. F&E Oil and Pinsky v. Kroger fundamentally reshaped the open-and-obvious doctrine — making it a comparative-fault factor rather than a complete defense. This is a major plaintiff-side development.
How long do I have to file an Oakland County premises claim?
Generally three years from the date of injury under MCL 600.5805. Government-entity claims have notice deadlines as short as 120 days under MCL 691.1404 — act quickly.
What if the property owner says the hazard was obvious?
Following Kandil-Elsayed, an open-and-obvious hazard is no longer an automatic defense. The jury weighs the openness of the hazard against the property owner’s breach of duty under comparative-fault principles.
Do I have a claim against a city or county?
Possibly — Michigan’s Government Tort Liability Act (MCL 691.1407) provides limited exceptions to governmental immunity. Notice deadlines are short and procedural rules are strict; consult counsel immediately.

