A slip and fall accident can happen even in the best hotels. Sometimes, nothing is hurt, but your pride. However, all too often, such incidents result in severe, even permanent, injury, and disability. Many of these accidents would not have happened if hotel management had taken precautions.
Slip and fall accidents fall under hotel premises liability. In California, hotel operators must provide a duty of care to guests and visitors. That means the owners or management must inspect the premises regularly and repair any dangerous situations immediately. Before guests are assigned a room, the management must ensure that room is not only clean but safe.
Keep in mind that such accidents do not have to occur in the hotel per se. Other areas, such as the swimming pool or spa or services such as shuttle buses, also fall under hotel premises liability.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney from Salamati Law protects your rights and helps you receive the hotel injury settlement you deserve. We have recovered more than $350 million for our clients.
Hotel Slip and Fall Accidents
While many situations may lead to slip and fall accidents, one of the most common involves areas where water can pool. For example, many of these accidents happen in the lobby or bathroom because of spillage or leaking pipes. In common areas, it is the establishment’s duty to post signage warning of the hazard or cordon it off. Since the flooring in many hotels consists of marble or other slick surfaces, falls can prove especially damaging.
Torn carpeting in common areas is another dangerous hazard. The same holds for:
- Broken stairs
- Debris left in hallways
- Failed escalators and elevators
- Poorly lit stairwells and other areas
- Torn mats at entrances and elsewhere
- Uneven pavement
Hotel liability depends on whether the unsafe condition is something management knew about or should “reasonably” have been aware. Not every slip and fall situation is the hotel management’s fault. For example, if the trip occurred because an employee left debris in a hallway, the hotel is likely liable. If a guest dropped an item just minutes earlier, and another person tripped, management can reasonably argue that they did not know of this hazard or did not have time to rectify it.
Injuries in a Hotel Slip and Fall Accident
Frequent injuries arising from a hotel slip and fall accident may include:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma & traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
If possible, document the injury right away by taking photos or videos of the scene. Report the incident to hotel management. If there are eyewitnesses, obtain their contact information. Evidence of your slip and fall accident is crucial to building your case.
Always seek medical attention afterward, even if you do not think you were initially harmed. Some injuries may not appear right away. If you fail to undergo a prompt medical examination, the hotel’s insurance company may allege your injuries were not serious or that they even occurred offsite.
Hotel Slip and Fall Damages
Damages, or compensation, may include:
- Medical expenses, current, and future
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
Save all medical bills and related receipts, including transportation to and from doctor’s offices. Follow the physician’s advice to the letter. That means attending all medical and rehabilitation appointments. Failure to do so can harm your claim.
Contact a Los Angeles Hotel Accident Lawyer
If this has happened to you or a loved one, you need the services of an experienced Los Angles slip and fall lawyer from Salamati Law. We offer free consultations, so submit our online contact form or call or text 24/7 to arrange an appointment.
In most cases, we can negotiate for fair hotel slip and fall settlements. If the insurance company does not offer a reasonable settlement, we will take the case to trial. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless you receive compensation.
