Hotel accidents can lead to serious injuries involving swimming pools, gym facilities, parking garages, inadequate security, and other dangerous conditions on the premises. This is because hotels have a legal obligation to maintain their premises to keep guests reasonably safe. If you were hurt in a York County hotel because the owner or staff failed to maintain their premises, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a Pennsylvania premises liability claim. If this reflects your circumstances, you will need to reach out to our firm today and retain the services of one of our dedicated and experienced York County, PA personal injury attorneys. Our firm is on your side.
What Are the Common Types of Hotel Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Hotels have a number of different services that they provide to their guests. For example, they have amenities like a pool, spa, gym, etc. It is important that all of these amenities are properly maintained and kept safe in order to avoid customer injuries.
Under Pennsylvania premises liability law, hotels can face liability when dangerous conditions on the premises result in serious injuries to guests. Common hotel accidents often involve slips and falls, swimming pool accidents, defective furniture, and other hazards that the hotel knew about or reasonably should have known about.
Common Hotel Accident Hazards
- Hot tub accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Unsanitary conditions
- Sidewalk accidents
- Escalator accidents
- Stairway accidents
- Parking garage accidents
- Gym equipment accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Accidents due to inadequate lighting
- Food poisoning
- Defective furniture accidents
- Accidents due to inadequate security
Most Common Hotel Injuries Frequently Reported
Guests who are injured in hotel accidents in York and Lancaster Counties often report:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Burn injuries
- Neck and spinal cord damages
- Drowning-related incidents
- Torn ligaments
- Foodborne illnesses
Why Do Hotel Accidents Happen in Pennsylvania?
Hotels in Pennsylvania, like all businesses, have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests, visitors, and others lawfully on the premises. Many injuries occur because the property owner fails to inspect, repair, clean, secure, or warn visitors about dangerous conditions on the property.
Examples of Hotel Negligence
- Failing to clean spills or wet spots in a timely manner
- Ignoring broken railings or damaged floors
- Allowing ice and snow accumulation to remain on sidewalks and walkways outside the hotel
- Failing to provide adequate security
- Failing to properly maintain equipment and fixtures like pools, spas, and gyms
- Inadequate lighting in walkways, parking lots, and stairwells
- Neglecting to conduct routine inspections and necessary maintenance of elevators or escalators
What Steps Should I Take After a Hotel Accident?
The state of Pennsylvania holds property owners responsible for maintaining their premises. This means that hotels have a legal obligation to keep their properties safe for their guests. This can be accomplished by performing routine checks of the hotel to ensure that there are no hazards present, and if there are, that they are fixed as soon as possible.
If these investigations are not performed or the hazards are not addressed in a timely manner, guests can get seriously hurt. If an injury occurs, the hotel can be deemed negligent, and the injured party may be permitted to obtain compensation for their burdens.
Important Steps to Take Immediately After a Hotel Injury
If you have suffered an injury in a hotel accident in York or Lancaster County, you should”
- Immediately report the injury to hotel management or staff
- Request a written incident report
- Take photos and videos of the hazard and your visible injuries
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Document the names and contact information of witnesses
- Do not speak with insurance adjusters before you have consulted an attorney
Can I Recover Compensation After a Hotel Accident in Pennsylvania?
If a hotel’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for both the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered as a result of the negligence.
Compensation May Include
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be eligible for compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Permanent disability damages
- Wrongful death damages in the event of a fatal accident on the premises
To successfully pursue a hotel accident claim, the injured guest must generally establish four elements:
- The hotel owed a duty of care to the injured guests
- The hotel breached this duty by allowing a dangerous condition to exist on the premises, and the condition existed long enough that the hotel knew or should have known about its existence
- The hazard directly caused the injury
- The injury resulted in measurable damages
How Long Do You Have to File a Hotel Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania typically imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Missing deadlines can prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve.
Because hotel accidents often involve surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Our Experienced Pennsylvania Firm
We understand that going through the legal system alone can be both confusing and highly stressful. That is why it is our job to help you through every step of the process ahead. For years, we have been helping clients throughout Lancaster County and its surrounding areas through a wide range of legal matters, including personal injury cases, criminal defense matters, family law issues, estate planning law matters, and more. If you need legal assistance, we are here to help. Contact Ilkhanoff & Silverstein today.
