Maison Law represents victims of injuries throughout California, including those that happen at Howard Johnson hotel chains. Given the amount of visitors these chains have on a given day, it’s not surprising that injuries and other accidents are so common. If you or a loved one have been hurt at one of these hotels and want to know more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Hire a Lawyer?
In California, you don’t have to hire a lawyer to file a claim for any accident or injury claim. But if you try to do it yourself, you might not get as much in a settlement from the insurance company or verdict as you need. In very real ways, your injuries and other damage are probably impacting your life, either financially, physically, or even mentally. So then, it becomes very important to take steps to get what you’re owed. It’s here that our team can help. Here’s what we can do for you:
- We’ll look into your claim carefully to figure out who might be responsible and who is responsible.
- We’ll gather and study the evidence to make your claim strong.
- We’ll handle all the legal correspondence and statements to make sure you don’t say anything that could hurt your claim.
- We’ll talk to the insurance companies to try to get you the best result possible.
- If the insurance companies don’t offer enough in a settlement, we’ll get your case ready for court.
- We can also help you find the right doctors to help you.
More than anything, our number one goal is to make the process easier for you. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront if you hire us. Still, the legal process can be demanding and change quickly. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to protect your health and claim.
How to Strengthen Your Claim
When you get hurt at a Howard Johnson’s, your first priority should be your health. This not only helps with your medical treatment but also supports any potential claim you may have. Taking the right steps afterward can protect your rights. Here’s what you should do:
- Get medical help – Again, your health is most important. Even if you feel okay, you could have hidden injuries. Ask the hotel if they have any first aid available, then go to an urgent care or emergency room for further evaluation. Keep records of all medical care received, including bills and receipts.
- Inform the hotel about the accident – Tell a worker, hotel manager, or supervisor about the accident as soon as possible. Ask for a written report or make one yourself, detailing where and when it happened and what caused it.
- Take pictures or videos – Use your phone to capture photos or videos of where the accident occurred and any hazards that caused you to fall. Note the date, time, and names and contact details of any witnesses.
- Keep damaged property – Don’t discard any torn or damaged clothes or shoes from the accident. They could serve as evidence to support your case later on.
Types of Accidents and Injuries
Following these steps can help protect your well-being, gather important evidence, and guarantee your rights are protected. However, the circumstances can vary widely in these types of incidents. Usually, though, you can expect to face the following:
- Slip and fall accidents – These can happen due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways, leading to injuries like sprains, fractures, or head trauma.
- Tripping hazards – Objects left in hallways or poorly maintained carpets can cause guests to trip and fall, resulting in injuries similar to slip and fall accidents.
- Swimming pool accidents – Howard Johnson hotels often have swimming pools, where accidents such as slips on wet surfaces, diving accidents, or drowning incidents can occur.
- Elevator or escalator accidents – Malfunctions or improper maintenance of elevators and escalators can lead to accidents such as falls or entrapment, causing various injuries.
- Bed-related injuries – Defective or poorly maintained beds and furniture can lead to accidents such as collapses or falls, resulting in injuries to guests.
- Food poisoning – Improper food handling or hygiene practices in the hotel’s restaurant or dining facilities can lead to foodborne illnesses among guests.
- Assault or theft – Unfortunately, incidents involving criminal activity such as assault or theft can occur at hotels, including Howard Johnson properties, posing risks to guests’ safety and well-being.
Is Howard Johnson Always Liable?
In California, these types of accidents fall under “premises liability.” This means:
- Property owners and managers at the hotel are responsible for keeping their property safe for visitors, customers, and guests.
If someone gets injured, they may be able to make a premises liability claim if certain conditions are met:
- Duty of care – Property owners must keep their property reasonably safe and fix any known hazards promptly.
- Hazardous conditions – Hotel management must identify and fix hazards like wet floors, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting.
- Notice – To make a case, it’s crucial to show that the hotel knew about the danger or should have known through regular inspections.
While the hotel management (and parent company, Wyndham) will carry most of the liability if an accident happens there, a few others may have some liability as well:
- Other hotel guests
- Staff members
- Security workers
- Maintenance workers
- Product manufacturers
California uses comparative negligence, so if you’re partly at fault, your damages could be reduced.
Damages in an Injury Claim
What makes these situations so difficult, aside from the immediate injuries, is that it takes a lot of time and effort that you otherwise wouldn’t need to spend–all because a Howard Johnson or other hotel didn’t protect you the way they are legally supposed to.
Luckily, there is the legal process, which can be sometimes-equally challenging, but gives you the opportunity to recover damages in an injury claim. While every claim is different, you can potentially recover the following:
- Past and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages stemming from the accident.
- Diminished earning potential if your injuries result in lasting disability.
- Property damage, including repair and replacement costs for things lost during the incident.
- Loss of companionship and enjoyment of life.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and diminished quality of life.
These damages are crucial for helping you recover from your injuries. With our skilled legal team, managing these challenges becomes easier.
Contact Maison Law For a Free Consultation
At Maison Law, our experienced California hotel accident lawyers understand the impact that any accident can have, particularly those that happen at a Howard Johnson’s. We focus on both your physical and emotional recovery, and make sure our approach gives you the support you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
