A hotel stay is supposed to be relaxing, but accidents happen, even at hotels along the Jersey Shore or elsewhere in New Jersey. If you get hurt, it’s important to act fast to protect your health and your rights, and possibly to get help paying for medical bills. Here’s what to do if you’re injured at a hotel.
Common Types of Hotel Injuries
People get hurt at hotels in many ways:
- Slip and fall on a wet lobby or elevator floor
- Pool accidents from slippery decks or broken pool ladders
- Broken furniture or unsafe staircases
Even small injuries can lead to big problems if medical care or lost wages pile up.
What You Should Do Right Away If You’re Injured at a Hotel
- Get Medical Help
Even if the injury feels minor, see a doctor. Injuries can get worse over time. Medical records help if you need to ask for compensation later. - Tell Hotel Staff
Report your injury right away to the front desk or manager. Ask them to make an incident report and try to get a copy. - Take Photos
Use your phone to photograph the exact spot you fell, including hazards like puddles, broken tiles, or warning signs that weren’t visible. Also, photograph your injuries. - Collect Witness Info
If someone saw the accident, get their name and contact info. Witnesses can help support your claim. - Be Careful What You Say
Don’t say things like “I’m okay” or “It was my fault” right away. Avoid signing forms or statements without talking to a lawyer first.
Light on Liability: Why Hotels Might Be Responsible
Hotels must keep their property safe. If they fail, for example, by not fixing a broken handrail or warning of slippery surfaces, they could be held negligent. If that negligence caused your injury, you may qualify for compensation.
Real New Jersey Hotel Injury Cases
Here are some real cases from New Jersey where injured guests ended up getting big payouts:
- Kreusch v. Westin Jersey City Newport: A 61-year-old woman slipped on a raised sidewalk section outside the hotel in Jersey City in 2018. After surgery and further complications, she settled her case for $1.75 million in May 2022, just before trial.
- Dembitzky v. Hampton Inn Woodbridge: A former Paralympian tripped on a wet elevator lobby floor and broke her prosthetic leg in 2015. She later settled for $4.75 million in Middlesex County, due in part to the poor placement of warning signs.
As these cases show, New Jersey hotels can face real consequences when they don’t prioritize guest safety.
Why You Should Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Hotels or their insurers may try to avoid paying. They may claim you were at fault, or that they didn’t know about any hazards on the property. That’s why contacting a personal injury attorney like Andrew Maze quickly is smart, especially in New Jersey.
Key ways a lawyer protects your rights after a hotel injury:
- Lawyers help collect evidence: photos, incident reports, medical records, witness statements
- They deal with insurance adjusters and hotel representatives
- They determine what compensation you may be entitled to, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
What to Do If You’re Injured at a Hotel
If you’re injured at a hotel in New Jersey, whether at the Shore or elsewhere, don’t ignore it. Your health is most important, but your legal rights are also crucial.
- Get medical treatment right away
- Document everything—reports, photos, and witness information
- Speak with a personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected
You’ve seen that other NJ victims have received serious compensation, even millions, for hotel accidents. You don’t have to face this alone. Contact Andrew Maze for help.