Michigan Personal Injury Lawsuit Settlement Amounts and Law

Below is a look at settlements and verdicts in Michigan, followed by a full breakdown of Michigan’s personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice law.

Jury Verdict Research at one point released a study of Michigan’s average personal injury awards: $1,089,638. Personal injury verdicts always conflate the average; Michigan’s median personal injury compensation award is $99,506.

Interestingly, plaintiffs receive a financial recovery in 44% of personal injury lawsuits that go to trial compared to the national average of 52%. These numbers are misleading because the type of case dramatically affects the average recovery and the plaintiffs’ success rate.

But this data from Michigan and this information about settlements and verdicts are still undeniably interesting to personal injury lawyers and accident and malpractice victims in Michigan.

Michigan Personal Injury Verdicts and Settlements

The following are some recent Michigan personal injury verdicts and settlements:

2024, Michigan: $8.5 Million Verdict: A man was referred to a cancer clinic by his primary care doctor due to abnormal blood test results indicating potential kidney disease. The patient visited the clinic three times, where the attending doctor, an oncologist, attributed the abnormal results to lifestyle factors like smoking and dehydration and did not order imaging tests. Several months later, in June 2019, the patient was diagnosed with a brain tumor that had developed from undiagnosed kidney cancer. A Michigan federal jury found that the doctor was negligent for failing to order the appropriate tests that could have detected the cancer earlier. The jury awarded over $8.5 million in damages to the man’s family, including $115,000 for medical expenses, $6.5 million in non-economic damages for the patient’s pain and suffering, and $2 million to his wife for loss of consortium. Unfortunately, Michigan’s cap on pain and suffering damages will substantially reduce the ultimate payout to the family. But, as we discuss below, the federal judge is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to review the cap’s constitutionality
2024, Michigan: $120,000,000 Settlement. A mother, at full term in her pregnancy, was admitted to Henry Ford Hospital. Although she was not immediately due for delivery, alarming signals soon emerged. The fetal monitor displayed “non-reassuring fetal heart tones,” a critical indicator necessitating urgent medical intervention via a C-section. Regrettably, a delay of over two hours ensued before the procedure was performed. This critical lapse resulted in the infant enduring severe asphyxiation, leaving him with cerebral palsy and irreversible brain damage. These injuries have mandated a lifetime of extensive medical and home care for the young boy. A Wayne County jury awarded $120 million in damages to the now 13-year-old boy and his mother.
2024, Michigan: $8,000,000 Settlement. A 29-year-old woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 29 weeks into her pregnancy managed her condition effectively through treatment, maintaining normal blood sugar levels. She underwent bi-weekly testing post-diagnosis, all of which returned normal results. At 38 weeks and six days of gestation, she experienced intensified contractions and was admitted to the hospital. Following an extended labor, she gave birth to a healthy boy, who scored nine on both Apgar assessments. So everything seemed to be going well. During the postnatal recovery period, the baby was placed on his mother for skin-to-skin contact. Ninety minutes later, a nurse noticed the baby was not breathing and initiated resuscitation, leading to the baby’s intubation and transfer to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. There, he was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and, later, cerebral palsy. The plaintiffs filed a birth injury lawsuit in Michigan asserting that the nurse failed to adequately monitor the mother and newborn during the critical two-hour post-birth transition period, resulting in the baby experiencing a sudden unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC), leading to brain oxygen deprivation. The defense contends that the baby’s brain injury occurred 1-2 days before delivery, as indicated by MRI scans, and a silent seizure during the transition period caused his breathing to stop without further exacerbating the brain injury. They also argued that the nurse’s absence was brief (1-2 minutes) and that the parents should have noticed any breathing issues. The case resolved for an $8 million settlement payout.
2023, Michigan: $4,500,000 Verdict. A truck driver sustained severe injuries, including a dislocated elbow and shoulder, fractures, nerve damage, and post-concussion headaches, after an inadequately trained employee dropped a 4,000-pound load on him while operating a hi-lo forklift. Our law firm has handled a very similar case. The company, aware of the employee’s lack of training and unsafe operation, failed to supervise properly. The jury awarded the truck driver $4.5 million in damages, including $505,831 for economic losses and $4 million for noneconomic damages like permanent disability and disfigurement. This verdict acknowledged that the truck driver was not responsible for the incident.
2022, Michigan: $2,745,000 Verdict. A 70-something man underwent an anterior C5-6 and C6-7 decompression and fusion. The surgeon approached the neck through a left-side incision. Following the procedure, the man suffered from adjacent segment disease. Nine years later, he underwent a revision procedure. The surgeon approached the neck through a right-side incision. Following the procedure, the man experienced breathing and speaking difficulties. Post-surgical testing revealed vocal cord paralysis. The man ultimately required intubation. He experienced difficulties with speaking, eating, and drinking. The man continued to suffer from hoarseness and breathing problems after having the tube removed. His symptoms made it difficult to do yard work and walking. The man alleged negligence against the surgeon. He claimed he improperly performed the procedure and failed to check for nerve damage. The jury awarded $2,745,000.
2020, Michigan: $1,000,000 Settlement. A woman suffered a traumatic brain injury shortly after undergoing elective neck surgery. Following the procedure, her recorded oxygen levels were at 99%. She was then sent from the PACU to the floor unit. Her next recorded oxygen levels were at 46%, then 66% three minutes later. The nurse and CNA testified that there was about an hour delay between the readings and when the rapid response team resuscitated her. She ultimately sustained a traumatic brain injury. The treating neurologist testified that a pituitary injury sustained during surgery caused it. The woman could drive but was physically unable to return to work. This case settled for $1,000,000.
2020, Michigan: $1,800,000 Settlement. A landscaper’s vehicle was broadsided by a police vehicle at an intersection in Ypsilanti. An ambulance transferred him to a hospital, where he stayed for two weeks. He received a traumatic brain injury diagnosis. The man also suffered right leg tendon ruptures and tears. While hospitalized, he received physical, cognitive, occupational, and speech therapy. He was later transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility, where he stayed for a month. The man underwent therapy for two years. He subsequently underwent open exploration and repair to his right leg tendons. The man now experienced difficulties with moving his right foot. The man never went back to work following the accident. His doctors claimed that he was now permanently disabled. He sued the police officer for negligence and the City of Ypsilanti for vicarious liability. The man claimed the officer failed to yield the right-of-way and was speeding. One week before trial, the case settled for $1,800,000.
2020, Michigan: $175,000 Settlement. A married couple suffered unspecified personal injuries in a motor vehicle accident. They sought PIP benefits from their insurer, Allstate. The couple sued Allstate for refusing to pay their PIP benefits. During the trial, the case settled for $175,000.
2019, Michigan: $17,000,000 Verdict. A 70-year-old woman underwent a femoral angioplasty to reduce her leg cramps and improve blood flow. She alleged that the hospital staff left the sheaths for too long, causing a blood clot. A cardiothoracic surgeon was consulted the following day. The woman alleged that the surgeon failed to treat the clot and restore her blood flow. Instead, they attempted to inflate the balloons and stems used during the angioplasty. This was done despite the non-party surgeon who performed the angioplasty testifying that they were already inflated. The inflation resulted in calcium build-up that caused internal bleeding. She would become paralyzed below her waist as a result. The woman also developed gangrene on her leg, which would be amputated months later. Her internal bleeding also caused an orange-sized ulcer to develop. Despite multiple debridement procedures, it remained. She testified that she would now need extensive care, including round-the-clock care. The Ingham County jury awarded her a $17,000,000 verdict.
2019, Michigan: $68,000 Verdict. A woman suffered undisclosed injuries after an uninsured motorist struck her vehicle. She sued the driver for negligence and her UIM carrier, Allstate, for refusing to pay her UIM benefits. The woman sought damages for her lost wages and pain and suffering. This case eventually proceeded to trial, where Allstate was the only listed defendant. A Wayne County jury awarded her $68,000. The court entered a final judgment of $135,000 based on issues of interest, taxable costs, case evaluation sanctions, and post-verdict issues.
2019, Michigan: $340,000 Verdict. A man entered an intersection on a green light and was hit by a tractor-trailer that ran a red light. He and his passenger suffered undisclosed injuries. They sued the truck driver for negligence and his employer for vicarious liability. Specifically, they alleged that the trucker failed to keep a proper lookout, obey a traffic signal, and maintain reasonable speeds. The Macomb County jury found the man 5 percent negligent and the truck driver 95 percent negligent. They determined the damages amounted to $340,000. The court reduced it to $323,000 based on comparative negligence.
2019, Michigan: $50,000 Verdict. A man entered an intersection and yielded to pedestrians crossing the street. The vehicle behind him then rear-ended him. The man suffered neck and back injuries. He sued the driver for following him too closely and failing to observe the road properly. The man also sued the vehicle’s owner for entrusting the vehicle to an incompetent driver. He sought pain and suffering damages. The driver and vehicle owner admitted negligence but contested the injuries’ extent. An Oakland County jury ruled in favor of the man and awarded him $50,000.

Michigan Personal Injury Law

This section will provide a general overview of Michigan law in personal injury cases such as medical malpractice, auto accidents, and product liability claims.

Statute of Limitations in Michigan Injury Cases

All states have statute of limitation laws that limit how long a potential plaintiff can wait before taking action and filing a lawsuit for a personal injury case. Michigan has its own statute of limitations that sets legal deadlines for filing tort lawsuits. If the plaintiff does not file their case before these deadlines expire, they will be permanently barred from filing. The statute of limitations in Michigan is slightly different for medical malpractice cases vs. auto accidents and other personal injury claims, so we will look at those separately.

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2-Year Statute of Limitations for Michigan Malpractice Cases

In general, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must bring their claim within two years of when the claim accrued, or within six months of when they discovered or should have discovered their claim. This principle is well-established in Michigan law “In general, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must bring his claim within two years of when the claim accrued, or within six months of when he discovered or should have discovered his claim.” This requirement is codified in Michigan Compiled Laws, specifically MCL 600.5838a(2).

Discovery Rule

However, Mich Comp. Laws § 600.5838a(2) adopts a modified version of the discovery rule. Under this modified rule, if the general 2-year SOL has already expired, the discovery rule can be applied but only gives the plaintiff a six-month extension to file. In other words, if more than two years pass before the plaintiff first “discovers” (or reasonably should have discovered) that they have a malpractice claim, they will have six months to file a lawsuit.

So a medical malpractice action is considered to have accrued “at the time of the act or omission that is the basis for the claim of medical malpractice, regardless of the time the plaintiff discovers or otherwise has knowledge of the claim.” MCL 600.5838a(1). Consequently, if a medical malpractice action is not commenced within the statutorily prescribed time limits, it is time-barred.

Regardless of the application of the discovery rule, however, Michigan law requires that all medical malpractice claims must be filed within six years of the act (or failure to act) giving rise to the claim. Although this is not a statute of repose, it effectively acts like one. The only exceptions to this six-year maximum limit are if the healthcare provider fraudulently concealed the malpractice or if the injury involves permanent damage to the claimant’s reproductive system. Exceptions to these SOL deadlines also apply in cases where the potential plaintiff is a minor (under 18) at the time of the injury.

3-Year Statute of Limitations for Michigan Injury Cases

Personal injury lawsuits in Michigan (except for medical malpractice lawsuits against licensed healthcare professionals) are subject to a 3-year statute of limitations. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805 states that “the period of limitations is three years after the time of the death or injury for all actions to recover damages for the death of a person or for injury to a person or property.”

This means that you only have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan, or your claim will be time-barred. When does the three-year SOL period begin to run? In most cases, the 3-year period under the statute of limitations begins to run whenever the plaintiff’s injury occurs. This will always be the accident’s date in an auto accident case. However, Michigan does recognize the discovery rule, under which the SOL period would not be until the plaintiff first discovers (or reasonably should have discovery) that someone else’s negligence caused their injury.

Statute of Limitations in Michigan Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Like many other states in recent years, Michigan has recently passed new laws, making it much easier for victims of past childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits and get financial compensation. Under the newly revised law in Michigan, adult victims of sexual abuse are granted a 10-year window from the date of the abuse to pursue a civil lawsuit. In contrast, victims of child sexual abuse have until their 28th birthday to file a civil sex abuse lawsuit in Michigan or three years following the “discovery” of their victimization, whichever occurs later. Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5851

The Michigan legislature is currently debating whether to enact yet another new law that would make it even easier for victims to sue for sexual abuse. The version of the bill that is currently in the state legislature would establish a 2-year revival or “look back” window for victims of sexual abuse to file lawsuits even when the abuse occurred decades ago.

Suing Michigan

The Michigan governmental immunity doctrine, outlined in the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA), MCL 691.1401 et seq., shields the state government and its agencies from tort liability. This immunity is derived from the outdated but still with our concept of “sovereign immunity.” This is the idea that the government cannot be sued without its consent.

In Michigan, the GTLA grants immunity to the state, its political subdivisions, and its employees when they engage in “governmental functions.” As defined by the GTLA, a governmental function is an activity “expressly or impliedly mandated or authorized by the constitution, statute, local charter or ordinance, or other law” (MCL 691.1401 (a)). This broad definition encompasses various activities, making it difficult for plaintiffs to successfully bring tort claims against the state government.

Exceptions to Michigan State Government Immunity

Despite the general immunity granted by the GTLA, in most tort claims Michigan personal injury lawyers handle, there is a path to suing the state of Michigan for the conduct of its agents and employees. The most notable exceptions are:

Highway Exception: The state and its subdivisions may be held liable for injuries arising from a failure to maintain public highways, including roads, bridges, and sidewalks, under certain conditions. MCL 691.1402. However, this exception does not cover traffic signals, signs, guardrails, or temporary obstructions like ice and snow.
Public Building Exception: Governmental agencies can be held liable for injuries resulting from a dangerous or defective condition in a public building under their control if they had actual or constructive notice of the defect. MCL 691.1406.
Motor Vehicle Exception: State and local government employees may be held liable for injuries resulting from the negligent operation of a government-owned motor vehicle while engaged in a governmental function. MCL 691.1405.
Proprietary Function Exception: Activities that are primarily commercial or profit-oriented, as opposed to governmental, may not be protected by governmental immunity. This exception is relatively narrow and largely depends on the specific facts of each case.

Special Rules When Suing Michigan State Government

To pursue a tort claim against the state government in Michigan, a plaintiff must follow a specific process, which includes:

Notice of Intent: Before initiating a lawsuit, the plaintiff must serve a notice of intent to sue the state agency or employee responsible for the alleged injury. The notice must be served within 120 days of the injury and include specific details about the claim, including the factual basis, nature, and the damages sought. If you file a lawsuit within 120 days, that is sufficient notice, the Michigan Supreme Court told us a few years ago.
Filing a Claim with the Court of Claims: After providing notice, the plaintiff must file their claim with the Michigan Court of Claims, a specialized court that handles lawsuits against the state. The plaintiff must file the claim within three years of the injury for personal injury claims and two years for property damage claims.
Litigation Process: Once the claim is filed, the case will proceed through the standard stages of litigation, including discovery, motions, and trial. The Michigan Court of Claims has its own procedural rules that must be followed throughout the litigation process.

Michigan’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule

Comparative negligence is a legal principle that apportions fault among multiple parties involved in an accident or injury. This concept is particularly relevant in personal injury cases, where the plaintiff and defendant’s actions may have contributed to the harm suffered.

In Michigan, the doctrine of comparative negligence, or modified comparative negligence, is followed to determine the allocation of fault and the recovery of damages. This doctrine in Michigan is governed by the Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2959, which codified a Michigan Supreme Court ruling.

Under this doctrine, the fault of each party is assessed, and damages are apportioned accordingly.

Michigan follows a “modified” comparative negligence rule, which means that a plaintiff can recover damages only if their degree of fault is less than 50%. If the plaintiff’s fault is found to be 50% or more, they are barred from recovering any damages. Furthermore, if the plaintiff’s negligence is less than 50%, their damages will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault.

For example, if a plaintiff suffers $500,000 in damages and is found to be 20% at fault, their recovery will be reduced by 20%, leaving them with a $300,000 jury payout. But under the modified rule, that fault number has to be under 50%. So, if the plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they will not recover any damages.

An example of this law in action is found in a recent appellate court decision. A patron at a trampoline park tragically became quadriplegic after landing on his neck while performing a flip. The plaintiff had a blood alcohol content of 0.21 at the time of the accident. So the appellate judges found that he was at least 50% responsible for his own injuries Under Michigan’s modified comparative fault rule, if a plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover damages. Thus, the court ruled he has no claim.

Michigan is a No-Fault Auto Accident State

Michigan is among the minority states following a “no-fault” system for auto accident cases. This means that for most auto accidents in Michigan, your own insurance company pays for your own damages regardless of who caused the accident. So even if you innocently sit at a red light waiting for children and puppies to cross the street when you get recklessly rear-ended, you would probably have to use your insurance to cover the accident.

The only way to go outside of Michigan’s no-fault accident rules is if the auto accident results in severe injuries and/or death. When the accident results in severe, permanent injuries or death, then Michigan law allows you to go after the at-fault driver and their insurance for damages just like you would in a state that follows a tort system. What qualifies as a severe injury for these purposes under Michigan law could be clearer.

Strict Liability in Dog Bite Cases

Michigan has adopted strict liability in injury cases involving dog bites. Mich. Comp. Laws § 287.351 Under the strict liability rule, a dog owner is liable for damages even if they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities or had no reason to believe the dog would bite.

To establish a claim under the dog bite statute, the plaintiff must prove three elements:

The defendant is the owner of the dog.
The dog bit the plaintiff without provocation.
The plaintiff was either on public property or lawfully on private property at the time of the bite.

If these elements are satisfied, the dog owner is generally liable for the plaintiff’s damages, regardless of the owner’s knowledge or negligence.

Michigan Medical Malpractice Laws

Like most states, Michigan has enacted special laws and procedural rules that apply in medical malpractice lawsuits against licensed healthcare providers. Licensed healthcare providers include doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare professionals.

Malpractice Insurance

In Michigan, one concern is whether the doctor has medical malpractice insurance coverage and enough coverage to cover the loss. There is no legal requirement for physicians to have medical malpractice insurance in Michigan, and the most frequently observed minimum coverage limits are typically $200,000 per claim with a $600,000 annual aggregate.

Notice of Intent Required to Malpractice Cases

Before filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice in Michigan, all plaintiffs must file a Notice of Intent to File Suit (NOI). The NOI must be in writing and be formally served on all healthcare providers named defendants in the case. The NOI must be served at least 182 days before the malpractice lawsuit is filed.

Serving the NOI tolls the statute of limitations for 182 days. However, if the NOI does not comply with all of the statutory requirements, the 182-day tolling period is void, and the claim can be dismissed if filed beyond the statute of limitations deadline.

Affidavit of Merit Requirement

Michigan law requires all medical malpractice cases to be supported by an affidavit of merit from a qualified medical expert under state law. The medical expert who provides the affidavit must be a doctor or healthcare professional practicing or teaching in the same specialty or field as the defendant. The expert must also have the same board certifications as the defendant. So, this rule would prevent a general practitioner from giving an expert opinion in a medical malpractice case against a neurologist or surgeon.

The affidavit of merit must state the expert has reviewed the medical records and facts of the case. It must also certify that, in the expert’s opinion, a breach of the applicable standard of medical care occurred in the case (i.e., the defendants were negligent).

Cap on Pain and Suffering Damages in Michigan Malpractice Cases

Michigan law has a maximum cap on the amount of non-economic damages a plaintiff can be awarded in medical malpractice cases. Non-economic damages are better known as pain and suffering damages. The non-economic damages cap is currently $470,000 but is adjusted upward for inflation each year.

In cases where the plaintiff suffers from permanent paralysis (hemiplegic, paraplegic, or quadriplegic) due to an injury to the brain or spinal cord or where there is permanently impaired cognitive capacity or permanent loss of (or damage to) a reproductive body part, the cap is currently more than $850,000.

The cap is awful, not matter how your slice it. Take one of the malpractice lawsuits we summarize above. The plaintiff received $8.5 million from the jury in a cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit. But with a cancer misdiagnosis, which doesn’t involve permanent paralysis or similar severe conditions, the standard cap would typically apply. This means that, absent specific circumstances that elevate the cap, the maximum non-economic damages recoverable would be around $470,000. Really, that is a criminal result.

The cap is not set in stone. In fact, in November 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has asked the Michigan Supreme Court to certify legal questions concerning the constitutionality of Michigan’s noneconomic damages cap in medical malpractice case. A plaintiff in a cancer misdiagnosis lawsuit is arguing that the cap violates Michigan’s Constitution by infringing on the right to trial by jury, equal protection, and the separation of powers.

Michigan Product Liability Cases

Michigan is notorious for having some of the strictest product liability laws of any state in the U.S. This is partly due to the historic influence in the state of big auto companies like Ford and General Motors.

But in 2024, Michigan has rolled back some of the nation’s most robust state-level legal shields for drug and medical device manufacturers. The new bill overturns a Michigan-specific statute that grants immunity to pharmaceutical companies and sellers from product liability lawsuits related to the safety and effectiveness of their drugs.

What does this mean? Moving forward, Michigan will join the rest of the country and become an active jurisdiction for product liability cases involving pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers. Now, pharmaceutical manufacturers and sellers are protected only by a rebuttable presumption that their products are not defective if they adhere to FDA standards and regulations while under the company’s control.

In such cases, plaintiffs must present sufficient evidence to challenge this presumption. The bill also maintains traditional defenses to product liability claims, including comparative negligence, assumption of risk, and lack of causation.

New Law is Not Retroactive

This new product liability law is not retroactive. So it does not impose new liability for past harms or allow plaintiffs to refile claims dismissed under the previous immunity statute. It only affects future claims for injuries occurring after the bill takes effect.

Additionally, Michigan law limits recovery for non-economic damages in product liability cases, with adjustments based on the consumer price index. Senate Bill 410 maintains these limitations, with non-economic damages capped at $537,900 unless the product causes death or permanent loss of a vital bodily function, in which case the cap is $960,500.

Our law firm brings product liability lawsuits, including several national mass tort cases that our firm is currently accepting:

Hair relaxer lawsuit: According to new research, prolonged use of chemical hair relaxer products can cause uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, and other conditions. This has prompted hundreds of women to file hair relaxer lawsuits.
Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit: These lawsuit involve a drug that causes dental injuries but the manufacture did not warn of the injury until 2024

Hiring a Michigan Lawyer for Your Claim

Our law firm handles significant injury and wrongful death cases in Michigan, collaborating with Michigan lawyers. We cover the fees of your Michigan attorneys, ensuring you have access to top-tier legal representation without incurring additional contingency charges for retaining two law firms. You’re only responsible for a fee if you receive settlement compensation or a jury verdict in your favor.

If you’ve been injured and think you may have a civil tort claim, get a complimentary consultation online with no obligations, or call us today at 800-553-8082.