When Your Hotel Stay Results in Injury

We all deserve a vacation now and then, but what could be worse than visiting the place of your dreams, only to experience a serious injury due to unsafe conditions at your hotel? Not only is your vacation ruined, but you may also have a lengthy recovery and expensive care coming your way.  Now, more than ever, the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney can help with the financial conundrum you may be facing.

Unsafe Conditions 

The hospitality industry has a lot of working parts, with many individuals working to ensure a safe and pleasant stay.  Nonetheless, there are common issues that can lead to guest injuries.

1. Slips and falls: Perhaps the most common problem in public spaces resulting in injury is unsafe walkways. Uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, unsecured throw rugs, cluttered stairwells and hallways, and wet floors can be hazardous. These issues may exist in dining areas, lobbies, landings, and more. It is incumbent upon the hotel to make sure the property is both well-lit and properly maintained in order to minimize the potential for falls.
2. Fires:  When hotels fail to create strong fire safety protocols, it can be very dangerous to everyone present. It is unsafe to ignore fire safety regulations or to fail to train employees how to respond to an emergency. Neglecting to maintain fire alarms and extinguishers can be another serious problem. In general, it is the responsibility of the hotel to conduct regular drills with staff, to ensure fire exits are clear, and equipment is in working order.
3. Communicating with Guests: Guests who have not been informed about the location of fire exits, rules at a swimming pool, and other safety measures may not know what to do in certain situations. Having clear signage, brochures, and other forms of communication can help to protect guests in the case of an emergency.
4. Faulty equipment: When equipment like heating and cooling systems, elevators, and appliances are not well maintained, it can result in danger to guests. Hotels that lack comprehensive maintenance schedules may experience equipment malfunctions and/or failures that injure guests.

When a Lawsuit May be Appropriate 

If you suffered an injury during a hotel stay, you may be wondering whether or not the hotel is liable for the costs associated with the experience. Essentially, Maryland law requires a plaintiff in a personal injury case to prove negligence on the part of the defendant. That means you will have to demonstrate four things:

1. The hotel had a duty to provide a safe environment for you;
2. That duty was breached by the hotel;
3. You experienced injuries;
4. The hotel’s actions or lack thereof were the proximate cause of your injuries.

Fighting for You 

The experienced, passionate La Plata & Waldorf personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, P.A. know that you may be overwhelmed at the thought of taking on a legal action on top of trying to recover from your injuries.  But you can leave all the work to us—you just focus on getting better, and we’ll work to get compensation to address medical bills, lost wages, and more. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation today.