At a hotel, visiting should feel like a special, luxurious experience. Between the complimentary breakfast, clean rooms, too service, and many other amenities, a stay away from home is meant to be relaxing and comfortable.
Unfortunately, accidents and injuries can quickly turn your experience into a negative one.
If you were involved in an accident during your stay at a hotel, you may be eligible for repayment for your injuries.
This can be received by filing a successful personal injury claim against the hotel's insurance.
Potential Hazards in a Hotel or Motel
Depending on the location, hotel chains offers a variety of lounges, pools, gyms, and eating areas outside of your reserved room. While these areas allow for extra satisfaction during your stay, they increase the chances of encountering an accident.
Common accidents at hotels may include:
- Slipping on water collecting around the pool area
- slipping on residual cleaning fluid in the restrooms
- injuries from old or malfunctioning gym equipment
- tripping and falling on misplaced or obstructive furniture
- food poisoning from ill-prepared or expired ingredients during breakfast
Regardless of your injury’s cause, the most important part of your case is determining whether or not the hotel was at fault for the accident. This is called determining “negligence”.
If the hotel is found to be negligent, then it will be their responsibility to cover the costs of your injury and (if necessary) lost work wages.
Compiling Evidence for Your Claim
To prove negligence on the hotel's behalf, you must provide as much evidence about the accident as possible. Your goal will be to explain the accident in detail, give as much physical evidence as possible, and justify why you are asking for you specific compensation amount.
Evidence of the Accident
Start by writing down everything you remember about the event. What was the nature of the event, the time of day, the circumstances before and during the accident, and the response afterwards? Give as much information as you can. Try to also include photos and testimonies from other witnesses if applicable.
Courtyard, like many other hotels, may even have security camera footage that can be of use, which the police may be able to help you review.
Proving You Deserve Compensation
Provide your physician’s diagnosis of your injuries. Be sure to save all bills and receipts from your hospital visits, tests, and prescriptions to show what you need compensation for. If applicable, also include work statements or checks to show lost wages if you missed work to recover.
In Case of Deposition
As any company would, most hotels or motels will want to be absolutely certain that the accident was their responsibility before providing compensation. To do this, their insurance will have an attorney do their own analysis of the events.
Often, this includes a “deposition”, where the attorney will question you in an out-of-court setting to get official statements on-record of the accident.
If this happens, don’t worry — it is not a bad sign. Simply answer the questions about your history and the incident as thoroughly and truthfully as possible.
Considering a Personal Injury Attorney
If you think you may need legal assistance while filing your claim, going through deposition, or potentially taking your case to court, consider a free consultation with a personal injury attorney You’d be surprised what a drastic difference their help can make during a PI claim.
They can take care of all the scary legalities and build you the strongest case possible, increasing your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Courtyard by Marriott, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
