Accidents can happen anywhere, including hotels and motels. If you’ve been injured on hotel property, you may have a premises liability claim. This is a type of negligence lawsuit: the property owner or manager has a duty to keep the premises safe for guests to use. If they knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to remedy the problem, they may be liable for resulting injuries.
Common personal injuries on hotel property
Common hotel accidents include:
- Slipping, tripping and falling: Falls can cause serious injuries, including broken bones and head trauma. Guests might slip, trip and fall due to damaged stairways, wet floors, torn carpeting, cracked walkways and other hazards.
- Electrocution: Defective wiring and old appliances can cause electrocution injuries. Hotels have an obligation to ensure their wiring and appliances are safe for guests to use.
- Pool accidents: While guests can also be negligent (such as running on wet pavement or alcohol-related accidents), defective handrails and ladders, loose tiles, cracked or uneven pavement and other unsafe conditions can lead to severe injury.
- Elevators and escalators: Failing to maintain elevators and escalators on the property can also cause accidents. Elderly people and children are most likely to be injured.
What to do after a hotel accident
If you are injured in a premises liability accident, seek medical care as soon as possible—especially if your injuries are severe. If your injuries allow, or you have a companion available, take photos of the accident site and your injuries from multiple angles.
Next, file a report with the hotel manager, and ask for a copy for your own records. Once your medical condition is stable, call a personal injury attorney. Plaintiffs generally have four years from the date of their injury to file a personal injury claim.
Finally, talk to an experienced Bradenton, FL accident attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh for assistance with your claim.