The state of Pennsylvania holds two major cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Because of this, many people travel to the state throughout the year. In doing so, they often stay at hotels that are available to them to stay. When guests stay at a hotel, they trust that the staff will provide an enjoyable and safe environment for them. All hotels are required to regularly monitor the property and ensure that it is safe for their guests.
However, accidents can happen. Sometimes, they are a person’s own fault. Other times, they may be due to the hotel’s inability to maintain a safe premises. When this happens, guests can sustain serious injuries that impact them for the rest of their life. If a guest becomes injured due to the negligence of a hotel, it is important to seek legal representation for your case.
Types of Hotel Accidents
Hotels can often become very busy during popular travel seasons such as summer. To keep guests entertained, hotels offer many amenities such as a pool, gym, spa, etc. Hotels also have many elevators and stairwells. If these amenities are not properly maintained, they can put guests at risk for injuries. There are numerous ways an accident can occur in a hotel. This can include the following:
- Stairwell accidents
- Elevator/escalator accidents
- Defective gym equipment
- Unsafe buildings and walkways
- Swimming pool accidents
- Food poisoning
- Inadequate security on the premises
Proving Negligence
Hotel owners are property owners. This means that they, as well as the staff they employ, have an obligation to provide safe grounds for their guests. To do this, they must repair or remove any dangerous conditions that are present on the property. When a hazard is not fixed, they are required to notify their guests. In addition to this, all staff must be trained for emergency and safety procedures. If hotels fail to meet this standard of care, they can be held liable for any injuries that happen as a result of their negligence.
When an injured party wants to hold a hotel responsible for their injuries, they are required to prove negligence. This can be done by satisfying the burden of proof with evidence. This evidence must prove that the hotel knew, or should have reasonably known about, the hazardous conditions that caused their injuries and failed to fix it. Evidence for a case can consist of medical documentation of the injuries, security footage of the hotel, pictures of the hazard, or any witnesses to the accident.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
