A stay in a well known hotel should be restful and pleasant. Most of the time, it is, but from time to time accidents occur and hotel guests are injured. Typical accidents in a hotel stay include slips and falls, trips and falls, electrocution from a badly wired or defective electrical appliance in the hotel, elevator accidents and impact injuries when something heavy falls down on top of you from a height.
As soon as you have been treated, you should consider the possibility of filing a personal injury claim to recover the cost of medical treatment, replace lost earnings and compensate for the pain and suffering caused. Claims of this type are never particularly easy as a large corporation and its reputation are at stake. You should discuss the accident and a possible claim with a personal injury attorney first.
How Soon You Should Settle with the Hotel
Most attorneys advise making a claim as soon as your injuries allow you to do so. The argument for earlier claims is that it is easier to remember the details of what went wrong and witnesses, if they were present at the scene, are more likely to be able to recall exact events. All personal injury claims, in any event, need to be filed before the statute of limitations, a state imposed time limit, kicks in. In most states, you are allowed two to three years after an injury to file a claim.
Most personal injury claims tend to take time to settle. Rarely are they completed in weeks. More like months and if a court appearance or appearances are necessary, may take much longer. It helps to have all your documentation ready to submit with your claim and clear evidence that the hotel acted negligently and that this negligence contributed to your injury.
Why You Should Take Your Time to Settle with the Hotel
Although you should start preparing a claim as soon as your injuries allow, there are good reasons why you should take time so that your claim is well prepared. A poorly prepared claim is one that leaves out necessary documentation or fails to convince the hotel chain’s insurer that their client was at fault. If you rush your claim you may also forget to include calculations for medical treatment, property damage, if any, lost earnings and an amount for pain and suffering. The insurer will not make payments for any of these damages unless you, as the plaintiff, justify what you are demanding in compensation.
How an Attorney Can Help
A personal injury attorney can help provide initial advice about your chances of winning a claim against the hotel. The attorney can also help you prepare your claim carefully, advise you on the time period that may be involved before settlement and negotiate with the insurers on your behalf over a suitable claim.
Additional Resources
- Help, I Slipped and Fell at a Hilton Hotel!
- How To File A Personal Injury Claim Against Hilton Hotels
*Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Hilton Hotels, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
