Maison Law helps people who get hurt in California, especially at Aloft hotel chains. Even though these hotels aim to make you feel comfortable, accidents can still happen due to negligence or intentional actions. These can leave you with life-changing injuries. If you or someone you care about gets hurt at one of these hotels, contact us today for a free consultation to find out what you can do next.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Every accident that happens brings uncertainty, but an accident at an Aloft hotel is especially difficult because of the wide range of things that can happen to you. Normally, these accidents range from slip and falls to criminal assaults or robberies. So, when you stop in at one of these properties, you can end up with a range of injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Muscle strains
- Head injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Torn ligaments
- Burns from chemical exposure
- Drowning at pools
- Illnesses
After getting hurt in an accident, whether you need our help depends on how serious your injuries are. If they’re minor, the hotel staff might assist you enough. But for serious injuries or if the hotel was especially negligent, we can guide you legally. Here’s what we do:
- Investigation – We look into the accident thoroughly, gathering evidence like witness statements and videos to understand what happened.
- Explaining options – We’ll talk to you about what you can do legally, like filing a claim or talking to the hotel’s insurance company.
- Evaluating damages – We figure out how much harm you suffered, considering medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
- Guiding through the process – We help you with paperwork, talking to insurers, and going to court if needed.
- Making things easier – We handle the legal side of things so you can focus on getting better. Our goal is to make the process less stressful for you.
We’re here to support you through tough times after an accident, making sure you understand your options and get the help you need.
Steps to Take After a Hotel Accident
Experiencing an accident at an Aloft Hotel can be unsettling, but it’s essential to handle the situation calmly and efficiently. Here are the steps you should consider taking:
- Prioritize your safety – First and foremost, check yourself and others involved in the accident for any injuries. If you’re hurt, get medical attention by calling emergency services.
- Notify the hotel – Report the accident to the hotel staff as soon as possible. They are trained to handle emergencies and can provide assistance as needed.
- Document what happened – Take photos of the accident scene, including any injuries or property damage. This documentation may be helpful for insurance claims or legal purposes later on.
- Exchange information – If there are other individuals involved, exchange contact and insurance information with them. This information will be necessary for filing any insurance claims.
- Make an incident report – Ask the hotel staff to help you fill out an incident report detailing what happened. Be as thorough and accurate as possible when describing the events leading up to the accident.
- Get further medical care – Even if you don’t believe your injuries are severe, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. It’s possible that your injuries won’t be immediately noticeable, but could worsen over time.
- Follow up – Keep track of any medical treatments or repairs needed as a result of the accident. Stay in communication with the hotel and insurance company to ensure a smooth resolution.
Remember, each accident situation is unique, so use your best judgment when determining what you need to do. Once your health and safety are taken care of, you can start thinking about potential legal action.
Legal Process After a Hotel Accident
Accidents or injuries at an Aloft hotel fall under legal cases known as “premises liability.” The initial step in the claims process involves identifying the responsible party. While the hotel typically holds some liability, it depends on the circumstances. Liability is established through negligence, which means:
- The hotel or others fail in the duty to ensure visitor safety on the property.
This failure may stem from the hotel’s neglect to address known hazards or fulfill expected responsibilities, such as supervising children in swimming areas or repairing broken stairs or flooring. However, there are other potentially liable parties in these cases, depending on the specific accident. Typically, these include:
- Hotel staff or employees – Hotel employees may be responsible if their actions or oversights lead to an accident. For example, if they don’t clean up spills quickly, they could be at fault if someone slips and falls.
- Maintenance or security workers – Contractors hired by the hotel must ensure the area is safe. If they don’t do their job properly and it causes an accident, they could be held accountable. For instance, if they install handrails incorrectly, leading to a fall, they could be responsible.
- Other guests or visitors – Guests and visitors also need to be careful. If their actions harm someone else, they might be to blame. For instance, if a guest throws something from a balcony and injures you below, they could be held liable.
- Product or food manufacturers – If you get hurt because of a defective product or contaminated food provided by the hotel, the manufacturer could be at fault. For example, if you get food poisoning from a meal due to bad ingredients, the manufacturer might be responsible.
When accidents happen on someone else’s property, it’s important to figure out the financial side. The main goal is to get money to help with your injuries and any other problems caused by the accident. The amount you get depends on how bad your injuries are and how much you’re at fault for the accident. Once it’s clear who’s responsible, you can start your claim process. This might mean dealing with insurance or taking legal action through a lawsuit, or both.
When you make an insurance claim, it’s less formal and could get resolved faster, but the overall goal of an insurance company is to pay as little as possible, no matter how liable they are.
On the other hand, going to court involves a judge and jury. It takes more time and effort, but you might end up with a higher settlement amount or verdict, called “damages.” Typically, these damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Repair/replacement costs for damaged property
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life or companionship
In severe cases involving intentional or excessive negligence, additional financial support known as punitive damages could be awarded. Your actions or inactions following an accident can significantly impact the outcome of your claim, so understanding the necessary steps is vital, particularly if you’ve had an accident at one of these hotels.
Maison Law Can Help California Hotel Accident Victims
Obviously, you don’t check in to an Aloft hotel expecting to end up with injuries from an accident. However, this happens to thousands of people every day, and California is no exception. At Maison Law, we know how to hold these hotels and anyone else accountable for their negligence. We can guide you through the legal process, supporting your claim for damages to make sure you get what you’re owed. To get the process started, contact us today for a free consultation.
