Fort Lauderdale is a major tourist hotspot in Florida. In 2013 alone, the Greater Fort Lauderdale area drew 13.4 million visitors. With 512 hotels in this area and an average occupancy rate of 74.7%, it’s no small wonder that hotel accidents happen frequently. When someone is injured in one of these facilities because of negligence, a Fort Lauderdale hotel accident lawyer can help the victim recover compensation.
Types Of Hotel Accidents
Hotels and resorts have a legal duty to maintain their properties in reasonably safe condition. When they fail in that duty, they can be held liable for the personal injuries that are caused.
Here are some of the common reasons injuries occur in hotels in Florida:
- Slip and fall accidents related to unsafe conditions not fixed by the hotel.
- Criminal assaults that occur because of improper security lighting or lack of security guards.
- Drowning accidents at pools with no lifeguards or insufficiently trained lifeguards.
- Food poisoning caused by hotel meals.
- Accidents in stairwells or on elevators.
- Infestation by insects, such as bed bugs.
Injury Victim
While hotels are not liable for every accident that happens on their property, they are legally liable under certain circumstances. When you suffer damages because the hotel failed to fix a dangerous situation or to notify guests of hazards, it may be possible to recover compensation through a hotel negligence lawsuit under premises liability laws.
Proving Hotel Negligence
Visitors to many Florida’s hotels and resorts have the right to a reasonable expectation that their health and safety will not be at risk during their visits to these facilities. Under Florida premises liability laws, there are several elements that must be proven in a legal claim against a hotel, motel, resort or other similar facility:
- The facility was aware or should have been aware that a hazardous condition existed.
- The facility failed to fix a hazardous condition and this failure contributed to an injury or wrongful death.
If a hotel injury claim is successful, the victim may be able to recover compensation for damages related to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Answers to Your Questions About Hotel Accidents
What is negligence in a hotel accident claim?
In a hotel accident claim, you must prove that a facility egaged in conduct that falls below the standards of care established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm.
How much is my hotel accident claim worth?
Every injury case is unique. When determining the value of a case, many factors come into play. The severity of the injuries you sustained; the length of your total or partial disability; the amount of your medical bills; and whether or not the injuries are permanent. If you are partly responsible for an accident/injury you will have a substantially lower case value depending on your liability percentage.
After an injury in a hotel, how long do I have to file a claim?
In every state, there is a “statute of limitations” that governs the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit. A claim in Florida must be filed within two years.
Get Help From A Fort Lauderdale Hotel Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident at a hotel in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, your first priority should be getting medical attention. Once your immediate health is taken care of, it’s important to notify the hotel of the accident and the conditions that caused it to prevent others from also being injured.
It’s also imperative that you contact Fort Lauderdale hotel accident lawyer Lisa Levine as soon as you can so that she can start working on your behalf to protect your legal rights under Florida premises liability laws. Call (954) 256-1820 today to schedule a free consultation.
