Dangerous Stays: What to Do if Injured in a Hotel
At Case Barnett Law, we know that accidents don’t always happen on your timeline. In fact, they tend to occur when you least expect them and at the most inconvenient times. Luckily, no matter where and when they strike, we’ll be there to defend your rights.
Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or out of necessity, you expect your hotel to provide a respite from the outside world. You trust that in addition to meeting your immediate needs, the hotel staff will also make you comfortable, and you probably don’t even think about safety. After all, who gets injured in a hotel?
Unfortunately, hotel injuries aren’t as rare as you might think. For example, hotel and motel fires alone cause an estimated 15 deaths and 100 injuries a year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration—and that’s just one type of accident. Thousands more injuries are caused by various types of accidents, many of which are caused by negligence.
If you’re wondering what to do if injured in a hotel, don’t worry—we’re here to explain everything. As a top Costa Mesa personal injury attorney in Orange County, we specialize in getting accident victims the compensation they need to recover. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about hotel injuries, how they happen, and how to protect yourself.
Need help now? You have rights. If you suffered serious injuries in an accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Our legal experts are standing by to assist you. Give us a call at (949) 409-0055 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Why Do Hotel Accidents Happen?
The hospitality industry is notoriously fast-paced, and hotels are no exception. With an ever-circulating roster of guests and a long list of potentially dangerous amenities, there’s no lack of opportunity for accidents.
However, opportunity shouldn’t be an excuse. When properly staffed, maintained, and managed, the vast majority of hotel accidents are avoided. When they do occur, they are often the result of someone’s negligent or careless actions.
Common Hotel Accidents
A long list of hotel amenities, such as a spa, restaurant or gym, is often a selling point to potential occupants. However, if improperly managed, these amenities may increase your risk for injury.
Here are some of the most common hotel accidents:
- Swimming pool and hot tub accidents
- Food poisoning from hotel restaurants and complimentary breakfasts
- Stairwell accidents, including slip-and-falls and accidents involving improperly maintained stairs and handrails
- Negligent or inadequate security measures
- Elevator and escalator accidents caused by improper maintenance or lack of signage
- Defective equipment, including workout equipment
- Unsanitary conditions in rooms and common areas result in sickness
- Unsafe walkways, both inside and outside of the building
Although this list seems large, these are just some of the ways in which hotel occupants suffer injuries during their stay. However, these individual factors are not the root cause of hotel accidents.
What Is Premises Liability?
When you’re a guest on someone’s property, their home or in a public space such as a business, you have a right to be safe. If you are injured as a result of the property owner’s negligence, you may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.
Premises liability is a type of personal injury case that addresses injuries caused by unsafe or defective conditions on someone’s property. Like most types of personal injury cases, premises liability is built on the grounds of negligence, meaning the owner failed to use reasonable care in regards to ownership or maintenance of their property.
Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Certain conditions can increase a guest’s risk of being injured on a property, in a public space or at a business. Our attorneys divide premises liability accidents into the following four groups:
- Inadequate design. It’s the property owner’s responsibility to ensure a responsible design. That means that hotels should have proper lighting, locks, fences, drainage, etc., to ensure their guests’ safety.
- Inadequate maintenance. Proper design isn’t enough; hotel owners and managers must also ensure that the building and its many utilities are maintained properly. This could include light fixtures, locks, walkways, railings, carpeting, etc.
- Inadequate warnings. In cases where a guest may not be able to immediately identify a danger, it is the hotel’s responsibility to post easily visible warning signs.
- Inadequate security. If an intruder harms or injures a guest because the hotel failed to provide proper security, it may also be considered a form of premises liability.
Ultimately, premises liability comes down to whether or not a property owner displayed reasonable care in regards to their home, building or business. Whereas a slip-and-fall accident that happened as a result of a guest’s inattention or reckless behaviors is not a suitable cause for a premises liability case, a slip-and-fall accident caused by torn carpet or equally unmaintained hazards may be.
Unsure About What to Do if Injured in a Hotel? Contact Us to Explore Your Options
Knowing what to do after an injury isn’t always easy; after all, you may be in shock, confused or in too much pain to think clearly. After seeking medical attention and gathering documentation of your injury, the best thing to do is contact a trusted personal injury attorney near you.
At Case Barnett Law, we know exactly how devastating personal injuries can be. In addition to physical pain, victims are often faced with expensive medical bills, lost wages from missed work, a decrease in quality of life, as well as the potential for permanent disability. Make no mistake—if you were harmed as a result of a hotel’s negligence, you deserve compensation.