The Sunshine State is a popular tourist destination, with more than 100 million people visiting in 2022. To accommodate all these visitors, there are countless hotels and resorts in the state. Unfortunately, just like anywhere else, accidents can happen while staying at one of these locations.
Some accidents can be avoided by exercising common sense and reasonable care. Also, hotel owners and operators must keep the property clean, safe, and well-maintained to ensure guests are not injured. Hotel and resort owners and operators should also provide reasonable protection for guests and visitors.
You have rights if you are injured at a Florida hotel or resort. At Zimmet & Zimmet, we can investigate the situation and help protect your rights. Learn more about these accidents here, so you know what steps to take if you are a victim.
Florida Hotel Injury Attorney | Common Accidents and Injuries
Some of the most common causes of hotel and resort accidents and injuries include the following:
- Garage and parking lot motor vehicle accidents at resorts and hotels
- Defective escalators or elevators
- Slip and fall incidents that involve slippery substances
- Accidents involving swimming pools
- Broken steps or railings at hotels
- Landscaping hazards or errors
- Trip and fall incidents in hotels caused by debris
- Personal injuries caused by hotel or resort contractors or employees
- Injuries or deaths at hotels or resorts because of a negligent security
- Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Valet drivers who have car accidents
- Furniture and structures that are defective
What Should You Do if You Are Injured at a Florida Hotel or Resort?
When you plan your vacation, you probably do not plan for an accident or injury. Unfortunately, accidents happen. Knowing what to do will help you handle these situations and protect your legal rights.
If you or someone in your family is injured while staying at a resort or hotel on vacation, take the following steps to protect yourself.
Get Medical Care
Right after an accident, you may feel fine. This does not mean a doctor should not evaluate you. Sometimes, injuries will not appear immediately after an accident. A doctor can find and treat hidden injuries to ensure they do not cause more problems.
Also, by seeking immediate medical care, you have a connection between your accident and injury. If you file a personal injury claim in the future, this documentation can help prove the severity of your injuries.
Take Pictures of the Accident Scene
Make sure you take pictures of everything around you at the accident scene. Make sure to capture the cause of your accident, too.
Look around the area to find surveillance cameras where your injury occurred. Many resorts and hotels use these cameras for loss prevention and safety. The video captured can be helpful when determining negligence in your accident case.
Ask Witnesses for Their Contact Information
Did anyone else see what happened? If so, be sure to ask these people for their contact information. They can serve as witnesses if you file a claim for compensation.
File an Accident Report at the Resort or Hotel
It is important to file an accident report with the hotel or resort manager. If they do not provide you with a form to fill out, write down as much information as possible about the person you spoke to and how to contact them.
If you do not file a report with the resort or hotel, they may claim that your injury did not occur there. By gathering as much information as possible, you will have evidence that this is not the case.
Hotel and Resort Liability for Guest Accidents and Injuries
Determining liability can be challenging if you are injured at a Florida resort or hotel. Sometimes, the person responsible for maintaining the property will be liable. However, in the state of Florida, the property owner is responsible for this.
The area of law that focuses on making an entity or person in possession of a resort or hotel in Florida liable for injuries suffered by someone else is premises liability. The property owner has a duty to exercise reasonable care and ensure guests are protected from hazards and harm. In this situation, the term “reasonable” basically means common sense. This includes things like cleaning up a spill or maintaining an escalator.
A hotel or resort can be found liable for injuries to guests and can be held liable if employees are negligent and cause injuries to guests. To hold the resort or hotel legally liable for injuries, it is necessary to show it was negligent. This is when the services of a personal injury attorney can be invaluable.
Let Our Legal Team Help with Your Premises Liability Case
If you are injured at a Florida resort or hotel, our legal team can help you file a claim against the at-fault party. Our legal team here at Zimmet & Zimmet will review the facts of your case and help determine who was negligent and who is liable.
The first step is to call our office to schedule a free initial consultation. Our team will work hard to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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