Hotel owners and managers have a legal obligation to provide for the reasonable safety of guests who visit their premises. The hotel manager, property owner, and their employees are supposed to make sure that the premises are free of dangerous hazards or that there is clear signage marking existing hazards and warning people of the potential dangers, otherwise they may find guests seeking the services of Houston premises liability lawyers. That’s because, if a hotel or their staff is negligent in removing or repairing the hazard or warning about the existence of the danger, they can be held liable for damages incurred as a result of injuries.
You may think that your slip and fall accident was straightforward and that it’s clear who the liable party is. However, Fasig & Brooks Law Offices warn that there are some possible defenses that the property owner and their insurance company will try to reduce their liability and the amount paid out to you. This is among many reasons why you should hire a personal injury attorney.
What are some common types of hotel accidents?
There are many places in a hotel where one can get into an accident. Lobbies, swimming pool areas, elevators and escalators, gyms, and restaurants are common locations that can also be dangerous.
Slips, Trips, And Falls
Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of hotel accident, causing injuries all over the body. Slip and fall accidents are the top cause of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. During a fall, the head can hit the ground or other objects so hard that the skull fractures, the brain hits the inner walls of the skull, and communication between the neurons is severed. Brain bleeding, dizziness, concussion, and coma are all types of head injuries that can result from a slip and fall. The spinal cord can become injured in a slip and fall, which can also sever communication to the rest of the body, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis, incontinence, and loss of feeling.
Slip and fall accidents in hotels can be caused by:
- Spills in bars and restaurants
- Broken or inadequate handrails
- Wet surfaces near the pool or hot tub
- Recently mopped floors
- Loose tile or carpeting
- Uneven sidewalks or pavement
- Dimly-lit hallways
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevator and escalator accidents could happen when hotel management has been negligent in maintenance and repairs, if the installation company made a mistake or the manufacturer created a faulty design or product. According to the CDC, approximately 17,000 people are injured in elevator accidents each year in the United States.
Burns
Burns from defective hair dryers, irons, or outlets, scalding hot water coming from the faucet or shower, scalding hot liquids served in the restaurant, or defective fireplaces can cause painful injuries. Harsh chemicals that the cleaning staff or hotel employees leave out can also cause severe burns or other painful skin reactions.
Pool Areas
Pools can be a lot of fun when they are safe and well maintained. Lack of supervision, electrical defects, slip and falls, pool toy entrapment, and broken diving boards or slides can all contribute to serious or even life-threatening injuries.
Hire An Attorney
The best way to secure a fair and just settlement after your hotel accident is to hire a personal injury attorney. There are several defenses that the insurance company for the hotel and their attorneys will use to reduce your settlement so that you get less than you deserve. They will ask you what type of footwear you were wearing at the time of the accident and may argue that it was not appropriate for that location or that your shoes could have contributed to your fall.
They will ask if you have been drinking, consumed drugs, were distracted by a cell phone, or were goofing around prior to the accident. They will fight hard to prove that you are in some way responsible for your fall, so you should have an attorney on your side fighting for you.
When damages from a hotel accident are high, the insurance companies will try to save themselves money by reducing how much they pay you. In order to do that, they will argue that you contributed to the accident with your negligence. However, when you hire a personal injury attorney with experience standing up to the insurance companies and their attorneys, you will have a better outcome than if you had represented yourself.
