Posted on Monday, July 31st, 2017 at 6:40 am
During the summer, families travel more often, and many families stay in hotels throughout California. A vacation can come to a tragic and unexpected end when a family member is injured in a hotel accident. Because hotels are just like any other business, they must provide a safe environment for their guests and visitors. When a hotel fails in its duty to keep you safe, it can be held liable for your damages.
If you or your family member was injured while staying at a hotel for pleasure or business, you might be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Call (916) 999-9000 for a free appointment with a Sacramento injury attorney to discuss the specifics of your case.
Common Hotel Accidents
An injury can take place at a hotel in a variety of ways. Some of the more common hotel accidents that can result in injuries include:
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Slip and fall accidents caused by torn carpeting, broken steps, wet surfaces, or another hazard
- Swimming pool accidents
- Broken or improperly maintained furniture
- Injuries from faulty or improperly maintained wiring
- Bed bug bites from infestations
- Food poisoning from improperly handled, processed, or stored food
- Assaults in the hotel or parking lots
Other injuries may occur on hotel property. When the hotel is negligent in protecting its guests, it can be held liable for any damages resulting from the injury.
When is a Hotel Accident Considered Negligence?
Hotels have a high duty of care to protect their guests. The hotel staff must take quick action when it discovers a problem to ensure that a guest is not injured or harmed. In many cases, we look to see if the hotel could foresee the harm and then took reasonable action to correct the hazard.
For a hotel to be held liable for an injury, you must prove that the staff had actual knowledge of the danger or should have known about the danger and failed to take reasonable action to protect you from potential harm. If the hotel staff discovered the hazard just before it occurred or the staff could not have reasonably known that the hazard might occur, it may be more difficult to prove a premises liability claim.
For example, if you slip and fall immediately after another guest spills a drink on the floor, the hotel may not be liable because it had no way of knowing the guest would spill a drink at that exact moment. However, if you slip and fall because of water on the floor that has been there for some time, the hotel may then be liable.
Call a Sacramento Premises Liability Lawyer for Help
Hotel accident claims can be complex and difficult to win, especially when fighting the hotel’s legal team. However, our team of lawyers have experience handling these types of claims and understand the laws governing hotel accidents in California.
To get more information about hotel accidents in California and to request your free consultation, call The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000. You may also contact our office by visiting our website. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
