Can Hotels Be Held Liable for Injury Accidents?

California’s hotels are the most visited in the entire nation. The statistics speak for themselves. According to the web site, BeachCalifornia.com, the Golden State is the most visited in the United States and accounts for 11.5 percent of all domestic travel in the country.

Los Angeles County receives the most domestic tourism in the state with approximately 53 million person trips.

As the number one travel destination in the United States, California annually generates more than $75 billion in direct travel spending to the economy.

California also has the highest number of hotels – more than 5,200 establishments employing approximately 204,000 people.

Hotel Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Hotels have a duty of care to their guests and visitors. They have a duty to prevent injuries and incidents by providing a safe environment and warning guests about any dangerous conditions of which they may not be aware.

The most commonly occurring injuries at hotels are caused by slip-and-fall accidents.

A hotel guest for example may slip and fall on a wet floor because there were no signs warning them about the danger. A guest may slip and fall while getting out of the shower because of slippery tiles that are not up to code. Broken stairs or stairwells with inadequate or damaged handrails may also pose a significant trip-and-fall hazard to hotel guests.

The Hotel’s Responsibility

A hotel is required to maintain its premises properly. This includes fixing all dangerous conditions on its premises including faulty elevators, torn carpeting, slippery pool decking or broken stairs. When there is a potentially dangerous condition, the area must be clearly marked with signs in order to caution guests. A hotel must exercise reasonable care to ensure that the property conditions are safe. For instance, parking lots or garages must be properly lit and security cameras must be in good working condition in public areas. It is also the duty of a hotel to provide adequate security for guests.

Protecting Your Rights

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident or any type of injury in a hotel, it is important that you report the incident right away to the authorities or the hotel’s management. Make sure that an incident report is generated and get a copy of the report. It is also important that you take photographs of the incident scene, of your injuries and seek prompt medical attention to maximize your chances of a full recovery. If your injuries were caused by the hotel’s negligence, please contact an experienced California premises liability lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected.