Summer is the time for vacations and fun, fun, fun! Families vacation together and travel to New Jersey’s many attractions. Many stay at hotels or motels because it’s a convenient and relaxing way to spend a trip. Most people will never experience any problems, but unfortunately, periodically, a hotel guest has an accident and can become seriously injured, or even worse, have a distressful encounter with an employee. Hotel and motel accidents will ruin a vacation.
In 2020, the United States Department of Labor Standards determined that there are 701 hotels and motels, 704 organization hotels and lodging houses, and many similar establishments, such as eating places, in the United States. Most of these hotels and the like have a variety of amenities including pools, spas, fitness centers, and bars. These facilities have to be maintained on a regular basis, but if they have been neglected, a hotel and motel accidents are likely to occur. Injuries are possible from the following:
- Faulty stairways or escalators
- Defective or broken gym equipment
- Uneven or inadequate lighting on sidewalks
- Unsafe swimming pools
- Unsafe parking lots or parking garages
- Unsanitary conditions
In some incidents, injuries can be the result of a criminal offense that occurs during a guest’s stay at the hotel. Hotels are expected to provide adequate security and those who do not can be considered negligent.
Hotel or Motel Accidents
If you are seriously injured in a hotel accident and want to sue, you will have to bear the burden of proof. This simply means that you must have evidence to support the claim that the hotel knew or should’ve been made aware of the unsafe conditions that caused your injury. There are several ways to prove negligence. After your accident, it is important that you notify the hotel management immediately and file an accident report. You, or someone with you, should take photos and videos of the conditions that caused your injury. You may also want to see if you can get surveillance footage of the injury occurring. Be sure to provide contact information for anyone who may have witnessed it. Seek immediate medical attention so that your injuries can be treated and properly documented.
Recovering Damages After an Accident
A Hotel Injuries lawsuit can allow you to recover compensation, called damages, for charges you incurred as a result of an accident. Although an injury is often regarded as physical, it can also be a verbal threat -both can be legally actionable. Damages from either type may include emotional distress, compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of independence, and more. The Law Firm of Andrew Maze can help recover damages.
An example, although extreme, involves a lawsuit against a popular motel chain in New Jersey. One of the largest settlements occurred in 2010 when a 12-year-old child was injured in an assault. The motel agreed to pay $900,000 in response to this life-changing event.
What to Do
If you have been seriously injured in a New Jersey hotel accident, contact an experienced attorney to speak to about your injury. The Law Office of Andrew S. Maze has represented many clients through the personal injury claims process.