On a vacation or getaway, the last place you want to end up is the hospital. Sometimes accidents happen, but what should you do next? If you were injured after a slip and fall accident in a hotel you need to take action to ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Contact a Memphis personal injury lawyer to find out the best course of action for your situation.
What Are the Causes and Injuries Related to a Hotel Slip and Fall?
Because hotels usually have expansive properties filled with different types of rooms and events, there is a wide variety of ways you may sustain injury from a slip and fall. You might fall and injure yourself if you come across:
- Slippery floors from mopping, waxing, spills, or leaks
- Uneven surfaces including loose floor mats or carpeting, broken tiles, cracks in pavement, or loose floorboards
- Ice on walkways outdoors
- Debris or other dangers in walking areas
Sometimes if you slip and fall you can stand right back up and dust yourself off. However, this is not always the case. Depending on the surface you fell on, how you landed, your age, and your overall health, even a simple fall can prove to be disastrous. Some common injuries that result from slip and fall accidents include:
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Bruises
- Nerve damage
- Concussions or brain injury
- Paralysis
Is the Hotel Responsible for My Fall?
Property owners are subject to what is referred to as premise liability laws. This means that a hotel owner, for example, is responsible for providing guests with a reasonably safe and well-maintained environment. A property owner cannot possibly be aware of every danger as it arises, but it is their duty to monitor the property and resolve issues within a reasonable time frame to prevent accidents from happening.
What Actions Should I Take After Falling in a Hotel?
Several actions can be taken after sustaining an injury at a hotel.
- Alert a staff member
As soon as you can, locate and inform a staff member of the injury. Request that they write up an accident report and give them a detailed explanation of what happened. - Seek medical attention
Go to the hospital or a doctor as soon as possible. It is vital that you be evaluated not only to ensure your physical health but also to have a paper trail of records showing the damage sustained from your accident. - Document evidence
If you can do it in the moment, take photos or videos at the scene of the accident. Find out if there were any witnesses and ask that they give a statement from their perspective for the accident report or a police report. Evidence is paramount in proving liability and being awarded compensation. - Hire a lawyer
Finally, when dealing with any injury case it is in your best interest to acquire the services of an attorney. They are well versed in your rights as well as the responsibility of the property owner and they can fight for your right to compensation.
