Accidents in HotelsNew York City is a popular destination for vacations and business trips. In 2017, the city hit a record number of tourists with 62.8 million visitors. Most of these visitors stay in hotels in or near the city. We expect that the hotels we stay in are a safe environment to spend the night or a convenient place to hold a conference, meeting, or special event. However, just like any other type of property, accidents happen, and the consequences can be severe.

Types of Hotel Accidents 

Because hotels usually have large staffs, it is essential for all staff to be appropriately trained to be vigilant at all times. Accidents in hotels can happen in a variety of ways. Hotels should be concerned about:

  • Slip and falls in the common areas of the hotel
  • Slip and falls in a hotel room
  • Defective appliances in the hotel room
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Hot tub or swimming pool accidents, including possible drowning
  • Hotel shuttle bus accidents
  • Hotel fires
  • Defective, broken, and unsafe gym equipment
  • Negligent security leading to assaults and robberies at the hotel
  • Broken locks on hotels doors leading to assaults and robberies
  • Elevator or escalator accidents
  • Accidents on hotel staircases
  • Injuries caused by bed bugs
  • Food poisoning

Liability for a Hotel Accident

A hotel guest is considered an invitee under premises liability law. This means that because guests are on the hotel’s property for the purpose of the hotel’s business, these guests are owed a high duty of care. Hotels owe a duty of care to their guests to inspect and maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Hotels must repair any unsafe conditions immediately or warn guests of potential dangers.
To receive compensation for an injury that occurs at a hotel, it must be proven that the injury was the direct result of the hotel’s negligence. Even if you live outside of New York and were injured at a hotel while visiting, you could still file a lawsuit in this state. You will have the same rights to seek compensation as any New Yorker would have.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

If you’ve been injured in a hotel, even if you were a tourist from out of town, you should have an experienced New York attorney evaluate your case. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we have over 50 years of experience helping the injured. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. Se habla español.