While a hotel stay can be a pleasant time regardless of the reason that you're staying there, it's also a place where you rely on others for various things, like the safety of your environment. What if something went wrong and you got hurt?
It may be a good idea at that point to consider filing a personal injury claim.
The concept of filing a claim can be daunting. However, after breaking down the legal terms and analyzing your case, the process might not seem so out-of-reach after all.
Personal Injury Claims
When a person is harmed because of the negligence of another person or company, this is referred to as “personal injury”.
A person is potentially eligible to file a personal injury claim anytime they are injured due to:
- A car accident
- A defective product
- Medical malpractice
- A slip and fall
Especially when staying at a hotel, it is the hotel’s responsibility to provide a safe environment.
If they fail to provide that safety and an accident occurs, it may also be their responsibility to compensate for it.
However, proving negligence can sometimes be tricky — there are many factors considered when determining who is at fault in personal injury cases. Let’s compare these factors to your own case.
Determining Responsibility
A hotel slip and fall claim would ideally demonstrate three things:
- The hazard that caused the fall was the result of the hotel’s negligence.
- The hotel had ample time and means to fix the hazard, but did not.
- The injured person’s actions did not contribute to the accident.
The more an accident possesses these factors, the more likely it will make a strong personal injury claim.
For example: say you are walking down the hallway to the vending machines when you round the corner and trip over a square of removed carpet, injuring your arm.
Because the square of carpet is concealed by the corner, isn’t signaled by a sign, and hasn’t been fixed, these may help when building a personal injury case.
However, if you are texting while walking, or are maybe walking barefoot instead of wearing shoes as per hotel regulations, this may make a case more difficult.
It is also important to remember that all cases are unique. Even if your case still seems questionable, there is no replacement for the advice of a personal injury attorney.
Whether by settlement or by winning cases, personal injury claims are won every day for people just like you.
Consulting with an Attorney
Filing a claim may seem an overwhelming task, but that is what attorneys are for. From consulting, to compiling paperwork, to simply laying out your options, contacting an attorney may be your next step towards seeking compensation.
If you believe you may qualify for a personal injury claim (or are unsure if you do), contact an attorney now.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Sheraton Hotels or Starwood Hotels, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
