Suing for Hotel Injuries and Resort Accidents: What You Should Know
Vacations and work trips are supposed to be enjoyable. You're getting out to see the world and meet colleagues, and in the process make some memories or lasting connections. After a long day out at the beach or at a conference, we come back to the hotel or resort and expect a little rest and relaxation.
Unfortunately, there are many issues affecting hotel and resort safety that can contribute to accidents or other kinds of harm to guests. If you get injured while staying at a hotel or vacation rental, you need to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer about what happened.
Below are examples of accidents that could occur at a hotel in or around Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, or Port Orange, FL. Remember: because of HB 837 tort reforms in Florida, you have just two years from the date of your injury to file a legal claim. This deadline applies to people visiting from out-of-state as well. Don't delay. Get the legal process started as soon as possible.
Hotel Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
A slip, trip, or fall mishap can occur at any place with lots of foot traffic. In a hotel or resort, these kinds of accidents can happen anywhere, including the lobby and hallways, stairwells, and even restaurants, stores, or bars within the facility or compound.
Common causes of slips and falls include wet floors that are unmarked, loose portions of carpet, damaged floorboards, broken steps, and exposed cords or wires on the floor.
Hotel Escalator and Elevator Accidents
There are different types of escalator and elevator accidents that may occur. In addition to slipping or tripping while riding an escalator, there's a risk of getting a shoelace or foot caught in the moving steps. With elevators, there's a danger of getting stuck, getting a hand or foot crushed by the door, or even the elevator catastrophically failing while people are inside.
If you get injured while on an escalator or riding an elevator at a hotel, you need to discuss what happened with a premises liability attorney. The hotel may be held accountable for poor maintenance or lack of precaution. In other cases, the manufacturer of the escalator or elevator may be held accountable if flaws in design or manufacturing contributed to the injury accident.
Accidents at Hotel Swimming Pools
Even though the beach is nearby in many of Florida's cities along the Atlantic Coast, people still enjoy lounging by the pool or swimming at their resort. If lifeguards aren't present, it increases the risk of accidental drownings and other injuries while in the water. A hotel may also not have sufficient flotation devices or pool safety equipment in place, which increases the danger for anyone in the pool.
Pool Injuries Involving Children
These kinds of accidents are especially important at hotels or resorts in which there are a lot of children present. These kinds of places may have child-specific areas around the pool and even waterslides and other attractions meant for children. Having a lifeguard and other staff present poolside can prevent injuries to kids and other kinds of tragedies from occurring. We encourage you to reach out to our law offices in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, and DeLand to discuss your case with our legal team.
Lack of Security and Hotel Staff Negligence
We expect to be safe whenever we are on the hotel or resort grounds. That means public spaces and the comfort of our rooms. Yet some hotels are not safe for guests. A Fox 35 report on Altamonte Springs Hotel and Suites recounts the tragic death of a woman due to unsafe conditions at that facility. The report notes that she's one of five people who died at that hotel in 2022.
This is obviously an extreme scenario, but negligent or absent security staff at a hotel means the risk of all sorts of criminal activity. This includes attacks and assaults, burglaries, break-ins, and other actions that compromise a guest's safety and well-being. The hotel can be held accountable for failing to offer adequate protection.
Food Poisoning and Foodborne Illness
Many hotels and resorts have nice adjoining restaurants and bars on the premises. Room service is also reliable at many hotels and resorts throughout Central Florida. However, there is a danger of being served spoiled, mishandled, or adulterated food items.
Bad cases of food poisoning may require hospitalization and emergency care. If you are exposed to E. coli because of undercooked ground beef or vegetables that were not properly cleaned, your life may be at risk. Our law firm can help you hold the hotel accountable for severe cases of foodborne illness.
Unsafe or Unsanitary Conditions at a Hotel
Not all hotels are the same when it comes to cleanliness and their housekeeping staff. In some places, guests may experience issues with bedbugs, roaches, rodents, and other kinds of infestations. The same is true of exposure to black mold as well as trash and other kinds of waste that has not been cleaned. These conditions are not just disgusting; they could lead to serious illnesses.
Beyond cleanliness, we also have to consider basic safety measures within a room. Faulty smoke alarms and defective carbon monoxide detectors could mean the difference between life and death. This is why it's so important to speak with our attorneys about your experience. We can let you know if you have a case against the hotel or resort owners.
What Chanfrau & Chanfrau Can Do for You
There are three important things that the lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can offer you. These will help save you money and frustration while offering peace of mind no matter how long your case takes.
Free Consultations
Your first consultation with us is complimentary. You don't have to pay us anything just to be heard and discuss what happened. This relieves the pressure and sense of obligation to hire a lawyer because you've paid money. We'll hear you out and let you know about your legal options.
Contingency Fee Representation
If you do hire us to work on your case, we will not charge you anything upfront or hourly. In fact, you will not pay us any money unless we can successfully settle your case or win a favorable verdict in court.
A History of Legal Service in Florida
My family has been a major part of Florida legal history for multiple generations. My great-grandmother was Florida's first female court reporter. My grandfather was appointed by the Governor to succeed her in 1960. My father's legal career began in 1973, and he's spent decades helping people seek damages for decades.
My brother and I are proud to continue this legal legacy and always strike to help individuals and their families seek restitution and be able to move forward with dignity.
Injured at a Hotel or Resort?
Contact Our Law Office to Learn More
If you were injured while staying at a resort or hotel, contact our Central Florida law offices today. We have locations in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, and DeLand, FL. We are ready to listen and fight for you.
About Kelly Chanfrau, Esq.
Kelly Chanfrau started her legal career in 2001 at a national defense firm. She switched to representing plaintiffs in 2010 and became a board-certified expert in labor and employment law. Ms. Chanfrau is affiliated with the Florida Bar, the National Employment Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
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