Staying at a hotel, whether for leisure or business, is typically considered a relaxing experience. However, the last thing anyone anticipates is sustaining serious injuries due to negligence. Unfortunately, such incidents occur more frequently than one might assume. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s imperative to consult with an experienced New York City Personal Injury Attorney to discuss your specific circumstances. Please continue reading as we will delineate essential information pertinent to these matters, including common injuries sustained at hotels and the requisite steps for pursuing compensation for your damages.
What Kinds of Injuries Can I Sustain at a Hotel?
New York hotels present numerous potential hazards that can lead to various injuries. Slip and fall accidents are particularly common, often caused by:
- uneven flooring
- Unanchored carpeting
- unmarked wet spots
- Unshoveled snow or uncleared ice on walkways
- Unsafe stairs (broken step or missing handrail)
These incidents can result in devastating injuries such as broken bones, neck and back trauma, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and even internal organ damage. Beyond slips and falls, injuries can also arise while using hotel amenities like swimming pools or gyms. Defective or poorly maintained equipment in these areas can lead to serious harm, including drowning, severe muscle strains, and potentially blunt force trauma from falling objects.
Additionally, other risks contributing to injuries in hotels include falling signage, malfunctioning elevators or escalators, inadequate security, poor lighting, and insufficient fire safety measures.
How Do I File a Claim for Negligence in New York?
Hotel guests face various injury risks due to numerous hazards. As such, it’s crucial to understand your legal options. To hold a hotel responsible for your damages, you will need to prove that the hotel was negligent and that its negligence was the cause of your injury. This means that you must demonstrate that the hotel owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach was the direct cause of your injury. You also need to show that you suffered actual damages as a result of your injury.
To prove the hotel’s negligence, you will need substantial evidence. If you are physically capable, you should take photos and videos of the hazard and the surrounding area. If there were any witnesses, you should collect their contact information as they may be able to corroborate your claim later. You should report the incident to the appropriate parties and obtain a copy of that report. Finally, you should keep a detailed record of your injuries, treatment, and related expenses.
At Swerling Law, we are committed to providing assistance during these challenging periods. If you have been injured and require support, please don’t hesitate to contact our team today. Our legal team is prepared to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.