Maison Law represents the victims of accidents that occur while staying at a California Econo Lodge. Our personal injury lawyers demand compensation for injured victims when hotel owners are negligent in their duty to keep guests safe from danger. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation for all victims and their families. Contact us to set up a confidential case review.
What Type of Accident Risks Are There at a Hotel?
Many California residents and tourists reserve hotel rooms to enjoy a clean, comfortable place to stay. There are options for just about every price range including bargain hotels like Econo Lodge. Chains like Econo Lodge may offer cheaper prices, but that doesn’t mean they can offer reduced safety and security for their guests.
- Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Accidents – A puddle left on the lobby floor or garbage left outside a room could cause someone to tumble and suffer a broken bone or head trauma.
- Stairwell Hazards – Stairs must be repaired when crumbling or broken. Their handrails must be secure before someone comes along to fall down the stairwell and suffer a devastating neck injury.
- Room Hazards – Guests can suffer burns due to contact with overheated water. They might take a shock injury from exposed wiring or a faulty outlet. A Carbon Monoxide (CO) leak poses a deadly risk to room occupants.
- Parking Lot Dangers – Potholes left unrepaired can cause someone to trip and fall forward to break facial bones or a kneecap. Hotels must also see that guests aren’t exposed to dangerous traffic hazards.
- Pool Hazards – Proper pool safety equipment should be provided and staff members should know what to do in case of emergency. Barriers should be in place and security should be posted to keep children out of pools when they are closed. Guests might also be placed in jeopardy by exposure to the overuse of pool chemicals.
- Bug and Virus Hazards – People can become sick after a bed bug bite. Guests might also come down with an illness if a bathroom isn’t fully cleaned or bed sheets aren’t changed.
- Negligent Security – Hotel staff must warn you about a crime threat in the area. They must secure doors to stop unauthorized visitors from entering. Security cameras, lights, and alarms must be kept in working order. Security guards should be posted and trained properly. If you are the victim of an assault, the hotel can be held accountable.
What Should I Do If I’m Hurt While Staying at an Econo Lodge?
If your injury allows, you should try to collect details at the scene of your accident. This evidence may be gone when you or your lawyer returns to the site later.
- Assess your injury – If you need medical attention call 911. Go to the emergency room if paramedics feel you should.
- Take photos – Document the obstacle that caused your fall. A broken handrail, a pothole, or an exposed wire. Everything will surely be cleaned up and repaired before you get a chance to return. Note any warning signs or the lack of signs.
- Alert an Econo Lodge Manager — You will need to alert the shift manager about what happened. They will have to file an incident report. This report can be solid proof of what happened.
- Talk to witnesses about what they saw and get contact information.
- Keep evidence – Keep the shoes you had on. Don’t wash bloody or ripped clothing. Don’t wear them again until your injury claim is resolved.
- See your doctor – Make an appointment with your personal physician even if you’ve been to the emergency room. Get any new pain examined in case the shock of your accident has been masking the pain of another injury, like a hairline fracture. Follow your doctor’s orders.
Who Is Responsible if I Get Hurt on Hotel Property?
Under California’s premises liability laws, hotel companies must show their guests a legal “duty of care.” It means owners and operators must do everything possible to monitor for potential dangers and to remove them in a reasonable amount of time.
They are responsible for the hazards employees and contractors may cause, such as renovation materials left along a walkway or the mistakes of a pool maintenance company. But Econo Lodge owners must also monitor for the obstacles other guests leave behind. Someone may drop trash on steps going up to a second floor, creating a life-threatening fall hazard.
Econo Lodge is owned by Choice Hotels. Their managers must ensure these hazards are cleaned up or repaired before someone can come along and get hurt. Victims who are forced into accidents can seek support for their recovery costs from the hotel chain’s insurance company.
A skilled premises liability lawyer can help you hold Choice Hotels fully responsible for your hospital bills. This support should also cover any additional surgeries and physical therapy in the future if an injury flares back up or never fully heals.
How Can I Get Help Paying My Doctor Bills After an Accident at a Hotel?
Your lawyer will help you collect and organize evidence to prepare a strong case. When your case is ready, your Maison Law attorney files a claim for you that includes a complete list of every hardship you’ve had to endure.
This includes the economic and non-economic damages you and your family have experienced. Your lawyer makes sure everything is brought to the attention of the commercial liability provider because anything left off is something the insurer can ignore. These factors wouldn’t earn you additional money in a settlement check.
Your lawyer makes sure these factors and more and considered and compensated:
- Hospital and medical expenses in the present and those expected in the months to come.
- Costs associated with a permanent physical disability such as future medical equipment needs, house upgrades, home care, and training for a new career.
- Physical pain. The devastating effects chronic pain can have on a patient over a lifetime and the cost of pain medication over months and years.
- Emotional Distress. The anxiety and depression that can follow a terrible accident and being unable to enjoy the freedoms the victim once had. Emotional distress may include the distress experienced by victims who must give up certain family activities and hobbies due to a serious injury.
- Paychecks lost while missing work.
- Travel costs. The expense of traveling to numerous doctor’s appointments. The expense of seeing out-of-city or out-of-state specialists.
- Personal property. Money to replace or fix any of your belongings that are damaged in your accident.
- Wrongful death benefits. Families can seek support for the future after a loved one has been tragically taken in a hotel accident. A spouse or children of the victim, and other close relatives, should ask for help with paying leftover medical costs and burial expenses. Close family members must also receive help in replacing the income the victim would have supported loved ones with.
Contact a California Hotel Accident Lawyer
After suffering a serious injury at an Econo Lodge, be sure to discuss your case with an experienced California hotel accident attorney. You should be able to focus on your recovery without worrying over the hospital bills piling up and the paychecks you’re missing while out of work.
Allow Maison Law to go to work on your case to secure the most compensation possible for your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to find out how we can assist you. There’s no obligation and your case review is completely confidential.
If you do feel we can help you secure more for your recovery, you won’t need any upfront money to hire Maison Law. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the money Econo Lodge owners are forced to provide to you.
