Hotels are designed to be destinations that offer weary travelers an opportunity to rest in comfort. Unfortunately, not every hotel is going to provide accommodations that are welcoming and safe. There are a variety of injuries that may occur if the owner of a hotel does not ensure that their premises are kept free of hazardous conditions that could injure visitors. If you or a family member was injured in an accident at a hotel, you should consult with an experienced New Jersey hotel accident lawyer.
At the Reiff Law Firm, our accident lawyers are prepared to help you deal with an injury that occurred because of a negligent hotel owner. Our dedicated lawyers possess over 40 years of combined legal experience that they will use to help you pursue your injury claim. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 515-8351.
Common Types of Hotel Accidents
Many types of accidents can occur within a hotel. However, some types of accidents occur more frequently than others. The following is a list of common types of accidents that may happen at a hotel:
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are one type of accident that commonly occurs at a hotel. Many people walk through the halls of hotels every day, meaning it is not difficult for one of these individuals to spill a beverage or drop something else on the floors that someone else could slip on. It is the hotel owner and hotel staff’s responsibility to clean up spills like this or to at least warn patrons of a dangerous area on the property. If you are not warned about a dangerous condition, the property owner may be liable for any injuries that occur due to that danger.
Other situations that can lead to a slip and fall accident at a hotel include:
- Unstable stairs
- Poorly lit parking lots
- Cracked or uneven sections of pavement
- Other tripping hazards
Food Poisoning
Hotels typically have one or more options for in-house dining. Unfortunately, not every hotel restaurant will practice proper food preparation techniques. Even the fanciest of restaurants can prepare food that could make patrons ill because of cross-contamination or foodborne illness. Some cases of food poisoning may go beyond mere stomach aches to conditions like norovirus, E. coli, or salmonella. If you believe that food at a restaurant caused you to become sick, you should seek medical attention immediately and talk to a lawyer.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Practically every hotel has a method of transporting visitors through the hotel, like an elevator or escalator. This machinery should receive routine maintenance and inspections to ensure that it operates correctly. A malfunctioning elevator has the potential to trap guests for long periods or even drop and cause someone serious injury. Failure to maintain and inspect elevators or escalators can open a hotel owner to personal injury claims and premises liability lawsuits.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pools also have the potential to cause guests serious or long-term injuries. Just because a pool is located within a hotel does not mean that it does not need to be monitored. Many guests bring their children with them to hotels, and a deep pool poses a risk to children who do not fully understand the risks or know how to swim. Additionally, if a pool is located indoors, there is also a risk that chemicals used to treat the pool can cause people harm if the area around the pool is not properly ventilated. This can lead to serious eye or lung injuries for individuals who are overexposed to harmful chemicals.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs may seem less harmful than the other accidents listed above. However, bites from bed bugs can cause some individuals to contract an infection or even become anemic. Due to the sheer amount of people that can occupy a single room within just a month, hotel owners need to be diligent and thoroughly clean all areas of a hotel room. Otherwise, patrons can become sick due to bed bugs and other unhealthy conditions. If the hotel received a report of bed bugs in a room, they should not continue to rent that room, and doing so can lead to liability and potential punitive damages.
This is not an exhaustive list of potential injuries at a hotel. If you were injured in an accident not listed here, our attorneys can also investigate your case and potentially file a claim on your behalf.
Contact an Experienced New Jersey Hotel Injury Attorney to Discuss Your Claim
If you or a family member suffered an injury due to negligent hotel staff, you should contact an experienced New Jersey hotel injury attorney today. At the Reiff Law Firm, our injury attorneys can help you build your claim against hotel owners who do not properly care for the safety of their patrons. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 515-8351.
