U.P. Tough, Fighting For You

Personal Injury Lawyers

Fighting For Injured People Across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

A serious injury can affect your health, work and family for years. When someone else caused that harm, you deserve an attorney who will take the time to understand what happened and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

I am attorney Jonny Waara. For more than 30 years, I have helped people throughout Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin after life-changing accidents. Through a tough, dedicated approach, I have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for my clients.

Complex cases do not intimidate me, and I never run from a challenge. I have handled high-profile injury cases that made news throughout Michigan. Whether a case calls for strategic negotiations or a lawsuit, I use my experience, technology and professional resources to build the strongest claim I can.

Hurt in the U.P.? Personal injury attorney Jonny Waara has 29 years of experience taking on insurers, hospitals, and trucking companies and recovering millions for clients. Call 906-351-5545 for a free consultation and straight answers about your rights.

Common Examples Of Personal Injury Cases

Serious injuries can happen on the road, at a business, on private property or while receiving medical care. Some of the cases I handle most often involve:

I use the latest technology and a network of resources to build the strongest case I can. There is simply no substitute for the decades of experience, the acquired skill and the deep compassion that I can provide for my clients. Whether it takes strategic negotiations or a lawsuit, I will go to any length necessary to get the compensation you deserve.

Michigan Laws That May Affect Your Injury Claim

Michigan law sets filing deadlines and other rules for personal injury cases. In many situations, an injured person has three years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. However, certain claims have shorter deadlines or special notice rules. Medical malpractice, claims involving government agencies and auto insurance benefits may follow different timelines.

Michigan also uses comparative fault. If you share some responsibility for an accident, the court may reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault. A person who is more than 50% responsible generally cannot recover compensation for noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering.

Motor vehicle claims may also involve Michigan’s no-fault insurance system. Depending on your policy and the facts of the crash, personal injury protection benefits may help cover medical care, lost income and replacement services. A separate claim against an at-fault driver may be available when the injuries meet Michigan’s legal requirements.

Because the rules vary by case, it is important to speak with a lawyer before evidence disappears or a filing deadline passes.

How Personal Injury Claims Work in Michigan: From Investigation to Filing a Lawsuit

A strong Michigan injury case starts with a prompt investigation, securing photos, witness statements, 911 recordings, vehicle/event data, medical records, and surveillance, followed by coordinated medical treatment and documentation of your losses; once liability and damages are clear, your attorney issues a demand to the insurer, and if a fair settlement doesn’t follow, files a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, proceeds through discovery (depositions, expert disclosures, independent medical exams), and then into mediation/facilitation or case evaluation, with trial as the final step if the defense won’t pay full and fair value.

Michigan Statutes of Limitation and Notice Deadlines You Can’t Miss

Most Michigan negligence claims must be filed within three years (MCL 600.5805), while medical malpractice generally has a two‑year limit plus a required 182‑day Notice of Intent and a six‑year outer repose (with limited discovery-rule exceptions), claims involving government entities often have strict written notice requirements (for example, highway‑defect claims typically require notice within 120 days), and Michigan no‑fault/PIP benefits are governed by tight one‑year notice and “one‑year‑back” rules, making early attorney involvement critical to preserve every avenue of recovery.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Serious Injury?

Available damages can include economic losses (past and future medical bills, rehabilitation, wage loss, diminished earning capacity, household replacement services, and attendant care), noneconomic losses (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and loss of consortium where applicable), property damage, and in auto cases PIP benefits for medicals and wage loss depending on your coverage; Michigan generally does not allow punitive damages, though exemplary damages may be awarded in limited circumstances to compensate for humiliation or outrage, and liens/reimbursement claims (health insurers, Medicare/Medicaid, ERISA plans) must be addressed to maximize your net recovery.

Settlements vs. Trial in Michigan Personal Injury Cases

Most cases resolve before trial through direct negotiation, mediation/facilitation, or (in some courts) case evaluation, with settlement value driven by liability strength, comparative fault, injury severity, medical proof, venue, and insurance limits; trial becomes the best path when insurers undervalue a claim, and while it adds time and risk, a well‑prepared presentation, credible treating and expert testimony, life‑care and economic analyses, and compelling visuals, can produce results that exceed pretrial offers.

Driven To Get Results

I know that it all comes down to results. When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who has a proven record of high settlements and awards. I have these in spades. You can rely on me to take on insurance companies and other parties tirelessly until I recover maximum compensation for you. To me, your case is not about winning – it is about helping you and the people you love move forward after an accident.

Get Help From A Strong Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Turn to Waara Law to find a personal injury attorney who has the strength and compassion to assist you. The sooner you contact me, the sooner I can help you. My office is in Negaunee. To request a free initial consultation, please call me locally at 906-351-5545 or send an email.