The short answer: whoever had control over the property and a duty to keep it safe. But "responsibility" in premises liability cases is rarely a simple one-person answer. Depending on the circumstances, liable parties could include:
- Property owners — homeowners, landlords, commercial building owners
- Tenants or lessees — if they controlled and maintained the space where the injury occurred
- Property management companies — especially in apartment complexes or commercial buildings
- Contractors or maintenance companies — if a third party was hired to maintain the premises and created or ignored a hazard
- Government entities — if the injury occurred on public property (these cases have strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines)
Michigan law distinguishes between different types of visitors — invitees (like customers in a store), licensees (like social guests), and trespassers — and the duty owed to each is different. In most commercial settings, business owners owe the highest duty of care to their customers.