Your West Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether you were harmed by a reckless driver, a defective product, or a medical error in West Michigan, we can help you seek full compensation for your injuries.
Get experienced representation from the local legal team at Barrix Law Firm. Schedule a free, confidential case review today.
Has Someone Been Hurt?
Get Compensation for Your Personal Injuries
If a sudden accident or injury has disrupted your life, you may need a lawyer to help deal with the insurance companies and navigate the legal process. With over 32 years of proven legal experience, we’re prepared to assist you during each step of the process.
We can help you value your claim, gather key evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company to recover a fair settlement. Our personal injury law firm serves clients across West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Holland, and surrounding communities. Don’t wait to see if you have a case. Schedule a free consultation today to find out.
What’s On This Page
What Is a Personal Injury?
In civil law, a personal injury is a type of wrongful act, or tort, that results in legal liability. Michigan law allows injured individuals to seek full compensation from the at-fault party for any physical, emotional, or financial harm caused by the accident. At Barrix Law Firm, we represent clients in all types of personal injury cases, from auto accidents to slip and falls and wrongful death cases. Learn more about our areas of practice.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Pursue
Understanding Negligence Under Michigan Law
Nearly all personal injury cases are based on the legal theory of negligence. Under this standard, an entity that fails to exercise a reasonable level of care can be held responsible for any resulting injuries. To win a negligence claim in Michigan, your personal injury attorney must prove 4 key elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal duty to ensure your safety.
- Breach of Duty: The defendant violated this duty through their actions or omissions.
- Causation: The breach of duty was the direct cause of your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual, measurable harm, such as medical bills or injuries.
Comparative Fault in Michigan
If you were partially at fault, you may still be able to recover reduced compensation. Michigan follows a 51% modified comparative fault rule. This means you must be no more than 50% at fault, or you must bear less fault than the other parties combined, to recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Economic damages for measurable expenses will also be reduced by your level of responsibility. Here’s how this rule works:
- If you were not at fault, you can recover full compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
- If you were partly at fault, damages will be reduced by your level of responsibility.
- If you bear the majority of fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages per MCL 600.2959.
Example: If you’re 20% at fault, your economic damages and compensation for pain and suffering will be reduced by 20%. If you are 80% at fault, your economic damages would be reduced by 80%, and you would be barred from seeking compensation for pain and suffering.
What Damages Can I Recover?
The goal of a personal injury claim is to restore you to your condition before the injury. This is accomplished by securing financial compensation for out-of-pocket expenses and emotional trauma like pain and suffering. Michigan law allows for several types of damages.
The first type of compensation reimburses you for tangible out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury.
- Past and future medical care
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning capacity
- Property damage
- Household services
- Transportation
You may also be able to recover compensation for physical and emotional injuries that do not have a fixed dollar value.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Permanent disability
Michigan allows a third type of compensation for certain personal injuries that involve gross negligence or intentional misconduct and cause extreme emotional suffering. Cases that may warrant exemplary damages include violent crimes, libel/slander, intentional acts, and certain wrongful death cases.
Past Client Wins
Barrix Law Firm Case Results
Who Is Responsible for My Injuries?
Legal responsibility (liability) can fall on 1 or more parties that caused or contributed to the injury due to their negligent actions or omissions. In some cases, an employer may be responsible for an employee’s negligence or recklessness through vicarious liability. At Barrix Law Firm, we'll conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and their respective insurance policies. Here are a few examples of how liability works in different types of injury cases.
- Auto Accidents: The negligent driver or their employer (if the person was working)
- Slip & Falls: The property owner, occupant, or manager
- Medical Malpractice: The negligent health care provider or medical facility
- Product Liability: The manufacturer, distributor, or seller
What to Expect During Your Personal Injury Case
Dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and complex legal rules can be overwhelming. As your West Michigan personal injury lawyer, we handle every step of the process while you focus on healing. Here’s what you can expect along the way.
- Free Case Review: The first step is to schedule a free case review with our team. We’ll assess the facts, answer your questions, and review your legal options.
- Thorough Investigation: Strong cases are built on solid evidence. We’ll recover police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, witness statements, and other documentation.
- Claim Valuation: We work diligently to calculate the full value of your claim, including past and future medical care, to ensure that no expense is overlooked.
- Aggressive Negotiation: We handle all communication with the insurance adjusters to protect your rights and advocate for a favorable settlement.
- Litigation and Trial: If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, attorney Jason Barrix is prepared to take your case to court.
Why Choose Barrix Law Firm in West Michigan?
With over 32 years of experience and 2 convenient offices in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven, our West Michigan law firm is dedicated to helping clients recover full compensation for their personal injuries.
- Decades of Experience: Since 1993, we've delivered personalized legal advice and results-driven representation to clients across West Michigan.
- Millions Recovered: We have a long track record of recovering substantial settlements, including multiple cases that settled for policy limits.
- Local Knowledge: As a Michigan native, Jason Barrix brings an in-depth understanding of local court procedures, state-specific laws, and the defense strategies used by regional insurers.
- Contingent Fees: Thanks to our contingency fee structure, you don’t pay anything for our services unless we win.
West Michigan Personal Injury FAQs
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims based on general negligence is 3 years from the date of the injury. However, there are many exceptions. Medical malpractice and intentional torts are subject to a 2-year deadline, and advance notice may be required within 120 days for claims against the government. Contact our team as soon as possible to determine which deadlines apply to your case.
Barrix Law Firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency basis. This means there are no upfront costs for our services. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Any fees will be deducted from the final award according to the terms of your billing agreement.
No. You don’t need to provide any information other than your name and contact information. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they may use your words against you. If the company is asking you to make a recorded statement or sign any documents, state that you wish to speak to your attorney first.
Each person and each injury is unique. The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries and the cost of medical care and lost wages. Insurance policy limits and the defendant’s ability to pay can also affect the value of your case. For the most accurate estimate, contact us to schedule a free case review.
Call Us to Take the Next Step
You have a limited window to file a claim for personal injuries in Michigan, and it takes time to prepare a strong case. Don't let a delay jeopardize your right to compensation. Contact Barrix Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our West Michigan personal injury attorney. It’s time to find out what your case is worth.
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