If you slip and fall in a hotel, you may be owed compensation. It all depends on whether or not the negligence of the property owner or staff contributed to your accident and your injuries. Trip due to your own clumsiness and you are unlikely to have much of a case. However, if you fell and got hurt because of unsafe conditions, then you may want to talk to a Corpus Christi, Texas slip & fall lawyer.
What Are Some Common Causes of Hotel Falls?
There are plenty of potential slip and fall hazards in a hotel. We have helped clients who have been injured due to:
- Construction debris
- Broken stairways and banisters
- Uneven walkways
- Damaged flooring, like tile and carpet
- Wet floors
- Poor lighting
If there is a dangerous condition in a hotel, the people in charge of monitoring the property are expected to address it. If they cannot do that, they should warn guests and keep them away. When they fail to do anything about a hazard, then the hotel should be held responsible when someone gets hurt.
What Should I Do After I Fall in a Hotel?
After your fall, it’s important to document everything. Take pictures of the accident scene and the hazard that caused the fall. Talk to anyone nearby who may have seen what happened. Keep any medical bills you accumulate as a result of the accident.
What you should not do is make a statement to the hotel’s insurance company on your own. If you were seriously injured due to the neglect of someone else, making a premature statement to the insurer can harm your potential personal injury case.
Can I Sue For Damages?
If the staff of the hotel were neglectful and that was the cause of your injuries, you should be able to pursue damages. Getting hurt on a wet floor without a wet floor sign, a dark hallway where the lightbulb should have been changed ages ago, or a damaged stairway that should have been shut down or fixed is not your fault. It was the responsibility of the hotel to keep the premises safe for you.
Will the Hotel Try to Blame Me For My Injuries?
Even if it is clear that the hotel is at fault for your accident and your injuries, it may still try to assign some of the blame to you. An attorney will defend you from accusations of wrongdoing here. If you are found to be partly at fault, that can reduce your settlement amount under Texas laws.
Here’s an example. You fell due to a broken banister in the stairwell and got hurt. You sue for damages, but the hotel accuses you of being inebriated at the time. You are awarded $50,000 for damages, but determined to be 20% at fault. You lose 20% of your settlement and receive $40,000 instead.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
It can’t hurt to learn a bit more about your legal options. So contact Sahadi Legal Group and schedule your free consultation today. We would be happy to tell you more about how we can be of assistance.
