Traveling for business or just taking a vacation means staying in a hotel or motel. Hotel and motel chains devote resources to ensure their rooms and facilities are clean and safe for guests. Even so, accidents still happen. Many of these accidents are avoidable and are the result of negligence. If you have been injured while staying at a hotel you need to understand your options.
There are common hazards that lead to these accidents and Injuries. The moment you arrive at the hotel or motel, you are owed a duty to ensure that the premises are safe. This means that management must routinely inspect the premises for hazards, promptly address any potential hazards, and warn guests of potential accidents and injuries.
Here are some common hazards that result in hotel accidents:
- Falling hazards. This includes anything that could cause a guest to trip, slip, or fall. Wet floors, torn carpeting, broken concrete, or loose handrails are common falling hazards that frequently result in injuries. Slip and fall accidents can result in concussions, broken bones, facial injuries, and dental injuries.
- Swimming pools and spas. The hotel may not be required to have lifeguards on duty, but they still have an obligation to ensure that these areas are properly maintained. This can include posting the appropriate warnings and enforcing pool rules that are focused on keeping guests safe. Hotels should also make sure that there is life-saving equipment on hand and accessible in the event of an emergency.
- Fitness facilities and equipment. Cable machines, treadmills, and elliptical machines are complex pieces of equipment. Hotels should routinely inspect any fitness equipment for use by guests to ensure that they are safe and in good working order. Any malfunctioning equipment should be promptly repaired, blocked off, or removed from use. Guests can be seriously injured when mechanical failures occur.
- Negligent security. Hotels also have a responsibility to protect their guests from assault, theft, or other criminal activity. They should be secure with only one entrance where hotel staff can see people entering the building. Doors and windows should have functioning and secure locks. Parking lots, garages, and other areas should have adequate security lighting.
- Broken furniture. Hotel furniture is subjected to a great deal of wear and tear. Worn or broken chairs, beds, tables, and other furniture can unexpectedly collapse or otherwise cause sudden injuries. Hotels should routinely inspect the furniture in their rooms and common areas to make sure that it is safe for use.
The moments following your accident can be critical to your claim if you have been injured while staying at a hotel. Here are some steps you can take to protect your rights:
- Inform the hotel staff. You should inform the hotel manager as soon as possible following your accident. You need to make sure that they are aware that it happened. Make sure you get their name and direct contact information. Ask them to provide you with a copy of the accident report.
- Gather whatever evidence you can. The camera on your smartphone can be invaluable when it comes to documenting your case. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, for example, take pictures of what caused your fall. You can also use your camera to take pictures of your injuries.
- Identify potential witnesses. If anyone saw your accident, ask them for their contact information. You may need them to provide an independent account of what happened.
Seeking immediate medical treatment for any potential injury anywhere is critically important. Even though you may not need an ambulance, you should seek treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. Seeking treatment further documents your injuries. Another reason is that delaying treatment can give rise to the argument that you were not as injured as you are now claiming.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
