The worst thing that could happen when you are far from home and outside of your comfort zone is a sudden mishap that results in injury. Many hotel injuries occur every year, affecting countless unsuspecting travelers. If you or someone you know has been a victim of an injury that occurred while on vacation, here are some of the most important things you need to know.
In most situations in which a guest brings a personal injury claim against a resort or a hotel, it is generally for negligence. This means that the resort has failed to do what it is required to do to ensure that guests can be safe on the hotel property. A Hotel Accident Attorney can handle cases resulting from many different types of hotel injuries.
The Most Common Types of Hotel Injuries and Accidents That Tourists Suffer
By paying for the privilege of enjoying hotel accommodations and other resort facilities, guests generally expect to experience a clean and safe ambiance throughout their stay. But in reality, that is not always the situation. Here are some of the most common causes of hotel injuries:
- Slip-and-fall accidents:
Slip and falls are the most common types of hotel accidents, and they can result in head injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and serious injuries. Slips, trips, and falls on hotel or resort property usually involve uneven flooring, worn carpeting, spilled beverages or other liquids, icy or slick walkways, and other types of hazards caused by the hotel operator’s negligence.
- Broken furniture:
It is a fund-saving strategy for most resorts to fix furniture with in-house repairs, some of which are suboptimal. The most unfortunate part of this is that poorly maintained furniture can break due to external damage, rough usage, or improperly performed repairs.
- Swimming pools:
While swimming pools are often the centerpiece of a hotel’s amenities and serve as a luxurious form of entertainment, they are also a very common site for hotel and resort accidents that result in serious injuries.
Many hotels do not have any lifeguards on duty, yet they are required to post a multitude of regulations and warnings that instruct users on how to use the locker rooms, pools, or the jacuzzi safely. Failure to meet the strict requirements set forth for pools has led to a wide range of accidents, for which many claims are filed every year.
Some of the other types of personal injuries that tourists suffer while staying at hotels or resorts on vacation include infestations of bed bugs, food poisoning, and, in rare cases, criminal activities for which hotel management may be held responsible.
What to Know About Your Legal Rights at a Resort or Hotel
Your rights to security and safety at a resort are not confined to your booked room. The resort’s obligation to keep guests safe extends into the common and private areas, including the following:
- Parking lots
- Shuttle buses
- Public restrooms
- Banquet and meeting halls
- Fitness areas
- Restaurants
- Swimming pools
However, it is important to know that the laws and regulations for hotels and resorts might differ from state to state. Regardless of where you are in the country or where you are staying, your hotel has the responsibility to take reasonable steps that make the premises secure, helping to keep foreseeable mishaps at bay.
The Evidence You Need to Prove a Negligence Claim Against a Resort or Hotel
If you are a hotel or resort guest, and you believe that the facility breached its duty of care and that negligence resulted in your injury, you have a right to pursue compensation.
In some cases, the hotel’s insurance agency may attempt to provide you with a settlement check. To successfully file a personal injury claim against a resort or hotel, you must be able to prove that the resort is liable for the injuries and damages you have incurred. These are the most important elements of the claim:
- The resort had a duty of care for safeguarding you from any harm or foreseeable injuries.
- The resort breached its duty to keep you safe.
- Your injury caused identifiable and specified damages.
If you want to learn more about your rights as a hotel guest and how to pursue a claim for damages, contact an experienced attorney.
