Open and obvious may be gone in Michigan, but property owners can still protect themselves in premises liability cases.

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What Barbie can teach litigants and attorneys about avoiding sanctions and conducting oneself with civility in civil litigation.

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The “notice” defense shifts back into focus after a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling dismantled the “open and obvious” defense for premises liability claims.

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Quickly determining “satisfactory proof of loss” for property claims can help insurance providers mitigate or even avoid paying penalty interest under Michigan’s Uniform Trade Practices Act.

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Lithium batteries stored or charged onboard boats, ships and cargo containers may leave you walking the plank of maritime liability.

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Responding timely to “satisfactory proof of loss” notices can help insurers limit or even avoid paying penalty interest under Michigan’s Uniform Trade Practices Act.

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The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday issued a landmark decision that abolishes the open and obvious defense for premises liability cases. 

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Failure to pay first-party property claims could cost you penalty interest under Michigan's Uniform Trade Practice Act.

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Can the use of artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT pierce the attorney-client privilege?

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Paying penalty interest in first party property claims is tough to avoid in Michigan, but by doing this claims professionals can minimize the amount.

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Arc mapping provides investigators and insurance claims professionals with vital fire cause and origin information.

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In a published decision, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that a dog is a “condition on the land” under premises liability, and as such, can be defended by the open and obvious danger doctrine.

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Understanding the types of explosions can help investigators and insurance professionals resolve fire damage claims.

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Court of Appeals ruling clarifies application of the public-building exception to governmental immunity in personal injury cases occurring at a school district’s public building.

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The popularity of internet connected devices in homes and businesses provides fire investigators with more origin and cause clues than ever, if you know where to look for them.

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Michigan Court of Appeals provides in-depth analysis of factors that determine the recoverability of lost earnings in wrongful death cases involving minors.

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Left to gather unchecked, dust can become the next major fire hazard in your commercial or industrial building.

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Investigators challenged to determine causation in fire claims involving presence of lithium-ion batteries.

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Construction contractors and insurance professionals beware: failing to understand a contract’s fire provisions could burn you.

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In a potential game changer for litigation in Michigan, this recent unpublished appellate court ruling allows the video recording of a plaintiff's neuropsychological examinations.

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Determining fraud in water intrusion claims begins with an understanding of the technology behind today’s pipe systems.

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You should know these four things before you seriously consider bringing a defamation case in Michigan for online comments against an anonymous party.

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As water claims rise, insurance industry braces for a potential deluge of new form arson cases.

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Give yourself the gift of expertise from a forensic engineer when your next water loss claims hits your desk.

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You should be burning up if your fire claim notices don't include this level of detail.

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Who pays for property damage related to the intentional acts of others? The answer may surprise you.

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Comprehensive pre-suit investigations help position cases for a successful defense in state or federal court.

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Appellate court ruling serves as warning to Michigan insurance professionals against making assurances or giving advice about coverage.

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The Indiana Supreme Court ruled store manager in a premises liability case can't be held personally liable for negligence for an accident in which he was not directly involved.

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Michigan Court of Appeals rules water filled pothole is “open and obvious” in retail parking lot premises liability case.

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A recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling bans video recording but allows in-person observers for independent medical examinations.

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Michigan appellate court rules contractors may be loaned temporary property possession rights, allowing them to assert an open and obvious defense in a premises liability claim, a defense typically reserved for actual property owners.

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Michigan appellate court signals “play on” after plaintiff sues, alleging opponent had specific intent to harm his goalkeeper son during soccer game.

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With U.S. tort litigation continuing to climb to historic levels, arbitration may offer insurance providers lower costs, better venue option for resolving claims.

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Deceased student's intoxication results in appellate court affirming trial court's decision to bar wrongful death action filed by decedent's estate.

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Discovery will change dramatically under a new Michigan Supreme Court rule requiring judges to be “participant observers” in a more collaborative civil litigation process.

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A party cannot overcome insufficient deposition testimony through a contradictory affidavit.

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If you can’t remember last night at the bar, you probably shouldn't file a lawsuit when you wake up in the hospital.

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In new unpublished case, Michigan Court of Appeals rules black ice is open and obvious.

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Don’t be spooked by your own “phantom employees” in premises liability cases.

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You could feel like a sad face emoji if comments found on your own social media accounts bolster a plaintiff’s premises liability claim.

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If food manufacturers produce clean food or use clean labels, then they should steer clear of business risks arising from claims of false advertising and product adulteration.

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An afternoon at the ball park could include foul balls, broken bats and flying hot dogs, so understand your personal risk before buying your tickets!

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Appellate court reluctantly applies open and obvious doctrine in snow and ice case involving claim of ordinary negligence.

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Michigan Supreme Court ruling reinforces open and obvious doctrine in black ice case.

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Michigan Supreme Court gives premises owners early holiday present, ruling “reasonable inspection” not required in slip and fall claim.

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This final installment of our four-part incident documentation series takes a look at the power of surveillance video and photos... or the lack thereof.

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Part three of this four-part premises liability series focuses on the strategic issues one should consider when collecting witness statements as part of an incident report procedure.

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In this second part of our four-part series on premises liability documentation, we take a look at the importance of detailed incident reports as a means for defending against a plaintiff's slip, trip and fall claim.

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Proper incident inspections are the focus of this post, which is the first in a four-part series on premises liability documentation best practices.

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Appellate court reverses trial court ruling favoring bar owner in premises liability case, and in so doing, creates notice and open and obvious doctrine questions of fact.

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The Michigan Supreme Court recently doubled-down on the plain meaning of "open and obvious" in premises liability claims by reversing two lower appellate court rulings.

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Implementing a surveillance video retention policy can help businesses defend against premises liability claims.

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A recent ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals further clarifies the proper use of Grandberry-Lovette v Garascia in premises liability cases where constructive notice is at issue.

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Appellate court rules school bus driver may be grossly negligent for decision to divert from normal route to "treat" students to an extra bumpy ride, resulting in injuries.

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Appellate court affirms trial court's ruling to allow land survey as evidence in slip and fall liability case.

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Actions outside the scope of an invitation by an invitee could change his/her legal status for purposes of premises liability.

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Applying "open and obvious" doctrine just got tougher following recent appellate court ruling that a snow covered parking lot may represent a 'special aspect.'

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The need to access one’s mailbox may constitute an “extenuating circumstance” such that Michigan’s open and obvious danger doctrine will not bar potential recovery.

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Invitees can become a trespassers when they venture into an area they are not authorized or expected to be.

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A recent ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals may adversely affect knowledgeable property owners with regard to constructive notice.

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The Michigan Court of Appeals recently ruled that a non-tenant plaintiff is not owed a statutory duty under state law governing the condition of a rental dwelling.

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Michigan Supreme Court rules non-possessory, uninvolved property owners cannot be held liable in public nuisance claims.

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Michigan House and Senate pass two bills, codifying trespasser liability and leaving intact any immunity and defenses.

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