Whether you are at a hotel on vacation or on a business trip, sustaining an injury due to a slip and fall accident is the last thing you want. Slip and falls can result in serious detriment to your well-being. If you had an accident at a hotel, contact a New Jersey premises liability lawyer to find out your rights and how you may be able to receive compensation.
What is Premise Liability?
Hotel owners are subject to premise liability law. The idea of premise liability is that a property owner has a reasonable duty to protect visitors and guests from harm. They have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment. Hotels would face premise liability if a patron was on the property legally and was injured due to the negligence of the property owner or staff.
New Jersey also has a comparative fault system. A court will evaluate the details of the case and assign a percentage of liability for the accident to both the victim and the property owner. If the injured party is more than 50% liable, they may not be awarded compensation. This could happen if the accident was caused because the injured party was being reckless or disobeying rules. If they are less than 50% liable, they are eligible to receive compensation. Collecting evidence is vital to ensure you are fairly compensated.
What Can Cause a Hotel Slip and Fall?
Unfortunately, even with a hotel staff dedicated to the safety of its patrons, accidents can happen anywhere at any time. There is a plethora of ways that you might get into a slip and fall accident on a hotel’s property whether it is in your room, the lobby, the pool, or the parking lot. Some causes include:
- Wet floors from mopping, spills, etc.
- Debris or hazards
- Loose floorboards
- Loose mats or carpeting
- Floor wax
- Icy sidewalks
- Broken tiles
Can I Receive Damages for a Slip and Fall in a Hotel?
Slip and falls can cause lasting damage both physically and mentally. Accidents like this can cause broken bones, sprains, fractures, nerve damage, brain injury, paralysis, and more.
Your first step after slipping and falling in a hotel should be to alert a staff member and seek medical attention as soon as possible. You want to ensure that a detailed accident report is being written. Take photos or videos if possible for evidence that can be used later. It will be important to note what caused the accident, if there were any warning signs posted, and if anyone witnessed what happened.
You will also want to work with a lawyer to ensure that proper procedures are being followed. You will want to prove that the hotel was responsible so you can collect compensation to cover any medical costs or loss of wages associated with the accident. Working with a skilled attorney can help you receive damages that you are rightfully owed.
