Maison Law represents injury victims in accidents throughout California. One of the most common places this can happen to you is at a hotel, and one of the most widespread and popular chains is an Embassy Suites. When you or a loved one get hurt because of the hotel’s negligence, you have legal rights. To learn more about this, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Get a Lawyer?
Any hotel accident is going to bring challenges. This is because there’s a wide variety of things that can happen to you during a stay, which can leave you with an equally wide variety of injuries. But the question as to whether or not you need a lawyer depends on your needs. There’s a chance that your accident or injuries will only be minor, in which case you probably don’t need to worry about taking legal action.
But in the event that your injuries are more serious or your accident is more severe, it can really benefit you to work with our experienced team. We can:
- Investigate what happened
- Explain the legal process and what your options are
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Help you gather important evidence
- Make things easier on you and your family
What you should do
Obviously, all of these things are important to your overall recovery, but as with any injury, your top priority should be your health. That’s why we take such pride in our approach: we handle the legal side of things, putting minimal stress on you as you try to recuperate. At the same time, your actions–or inactions–after the accident itself is also very important. So, make sure to do the following:
- Get medical help right away – No matter how minor your injuries may seem, get medical assistance right away both at the hotel and a hospital. Even small injuries could be hiding bigger problems. Keep detailed records of all medical care, appointments, costs, and receipts.
- Report the accident – Tell the hotel staff or management about the incident as soon as possible. If needed, get the local authorities involved. Ask for or create a thorough report detailing where and how the accident happened and what factors were involved.
- Gather evidence – Take photos or videos of the scene, focusing on any hazards or problems. Remember to note the date and time and get contact info from any witnesses.
- Save evidence – Keep anything related to the incident, like damaged items or clothes. These can be important evidence to show what happened and what losses you suffered.
- Stay in touch – Keep talking to the hotel’s management or owner after you report the incident. Make sure they understand what happened, how it affected you, and any safety worries you have. Save copies of all your communications.
Following these steps is crucial for protecting your rights and building a strong case if you have an accident at an Embassy Suites or any other hotel. It also sets the groundwork for any potential legal action down the road.
How Can You Get Hurt in a Hotel Accident?
Unfortunately, there’s a number of different things that can lead to an accident at an Embassy Suites. No matter what specific property you stay at, because these hotels are designed largely the same way, these hazards and risks are present throughout California. Most often, it involves the following:
- Accidents resulting from slippery surfaces, uneven flooring, or obstructions in hallways or other hotel areas.
- Injuries caused by exposure to hot water, steam, or malfunctioning appliances.
- Harm incurred from broken glass, sharp furniture edges, or collisions with objects.
- Injuries from assaults or having items stolen.
- Injuries stemming from lifting heavy objects, poor ergonomic conditions, or slipping on uneven surfaces.
- Harm caused by faulty wiring, malfunctioning appliances, or inadequately maintained electrical systems.
- Injuries ranging from minor bumps to concussions due to falling objects, collisions, or slipping on wet surfaces.
- Fractures or breaks resulting from falls from heights, slipping on stairs, or accidents involving heavy objects.
- Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments due to impact with objects or surfaces.
- Respiratory problems caused by exposure to harmful chemicals or allergens during cleaning or maintenance activities.
- Illnesses resulting from poor food handling practices, contamination, or inadequate allergy management.
In the eyes of the law, these accidents are viewed much the same way as any other accident. With that said, figuring out who’s responsible is a huge part of the legal process.
Liability in a Hotel Accident
One of the most frustrating aspects of any hotel accident is that it was–most likely–largely preventable. This is actually the crux of “premises liability” laws in California, which these accidents fall under. Basically, a hotel has a:
- Duty of care to take reasonable steps to keep guests and others safe while on the property.
When the hotel breaches this duty, they’ll carry at least a part of the liability for your injuries and other losses–meaning they’ll be the ones that are responsible for paying for your damages. But depending on what actually happened to you, there could be others that share some liability:
- Hotel management or staff members – This refers to the people who own or oversee the Embassy Suites where the accident occurred. They are responsible for making sure the area is safe for visitors. This can also include individual staff members.
- Supervisors – These are the bosses of the workers who were present when the accident happened. They are in charge of the employees and their actions while they are on duty.
- Contractors or maintenance companies – These are companies hired to fix things or keep the property in good condition. If their work is related to the accident, they might be responsible.
- Manufacturers of faulty products – If a product malfunctioned and caused the accident, the company that made it could be held responsible.
- Government agencies – This includes local authorities or agencies responsible for regulating safety standards. They might be involved if the accident happened due to a violation of regulations.
- Other people – This could include anyone else who was directly involved in the accident, like other guests, visitors at the hotel, or even another person that committed a robbery or assault.
With so much riding on your recovery, it’s important to take every opportunity to nail down all the liable parties in your claim. This will give you a chance to maximize your available damages.
What Damages Are Available in a Hotel Accident Claim?
The main goal of any injury claim, including those that come out of accidents at an Embassy Suites, are to recover damages. This is simply the legal term for your losses from the accident, like your medical treatment, missed work, damaged property, and the mental and psychological impact the incident had on you.
There are two main options for getting these damages: filing an insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit. As the injury victim, it’s ultimately up to you to show the extent of your damages. If you’re able to do that successfully, you can potentially recover:
- Medical expenses and treatment costs, including ongoing care needs
- Lost income or loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Repair or replacement costs for damaged property, like your phone or clothing
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Like any other injury claim, you have two years from the date of your accident to file. Miss this “statute of limitations,” and you won’t be able to recover damages, no matter how strong your claim is.
Contact Maison Law After an Accident at a California Embassy Suites
When you get hurt at an Embassy Suites in California, it can leave you feeling powerless. But at Maison Law, you’re not alone. We can help guide you through the claims process and support you as you try to recover from your injuries. To learn more about your options, contact us today for a free consultation.
