The hotel industry is one of the most competitive industries, with established chains and independent operators competing for customers. But what happens when an accident or injury occurs on hotel premises? Who can be held liable in these situations?
If you or someone you love was injured while staying at a hotel, our attorneys at H&P Law can help. Our Las Vegas premises liability attorneys represent those who sustain injuries during their stay at a hotel and other types of property.
Common Types of Accidents on Hotel Premises
Accidents and injuries are not uncommon in hotels. They can occur due to unsafe conditions or negligent actions of the hotel staff. Examples of common types of accidents include slips and falls due to wet floors, trip and falls due to inadequate lighting, burns from heating elements, food poisoning from contaminated food, and more. While some may think that these accidents are minor inconveniences, they can actually result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, lacerations, severe burns, and more.
Can You Sue a Hotel for Injuries?
In many cases, yes. According to the law, hotel owners have a duty to provide guests with a safe environment free from hazards that could cause injury. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, then they can be held liable for damages resulting from the incident, such as medical expenses, lost wages if the victim is unable to work during recovery time, pain and suffering caused by your injury as well as other potential damages depending on the situation.
The only exception is when an injury is caused by something outside of the hotel’s control (such as extreme weather conditions). In such cases, they would not be found negligent unless there was evidence that they had failed to take reasonable steps prior to your stay in order to prevent such occurrences from happening.
Proving That a Hotel Was Negligent
In order to prove that the hotel was negligent, you must first show that they owed you a duty of care – i.e., they had an obligation to provide you with a safe environment free from hazards – and then show that they breached this duty by failing to maintain their property or take appropriate action when alerted about potential hazards or dangerous conditions.
You must also show that this breach resulted in your injury or illness. It is important to note that proving negligence can be challenging without evidence, such as photos or video recordings showing the hazard prior to your accident or witness testimony about what happened before/during/after your accident occurred.
Note: Under Nevada’s comparative negligence law (NRS § 41.141), your recoverable damages can be reduced if you were partially at fault for your injuries. Thus, if the hotel successfully argues that your own negligence contributed to your accident, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
Discuss the Hotel’s Liability With Our Attorneys at H&P Law
When it comes to being injured in a hotel, there are many questions surrounding who is responsible for your damages. It is imperative that hotel guests know their rights so that they can seek justice against the negligent parties. If you find yourself needing legal assistance after experiencing an accident while staying at a hotel facility, reach out to our knowledgeable attorneys at H&P Law. Get a consultation with our premises liability attorneys by calling (702) 598-4529.
