Many people look at hotels as a place to unwind after a long day of work or fun. Most hotels work hard to provide that home-away-from-home feel, with the added bonus that guests don’t have to do any of their own cooking or cleaning during their stay.
What we don’t often think about, however, may be the most important factor to consider when choosing a hotel. We should never settle for a place that is not clean, properly maintained and safe, no matter how much of a bargain we are getting. These factors should also be the top priority for hotel owners and employees.
But, unfortunately, not all hotels are kept up to standards that will keep customers safe. Perhaps in an effort to cut costs, some hotel owners do not update their buildings when they begin to deteriorate. This can make visiting a hotel a potentially dangerous situation for a customer.
Slip-and-fall accidents can have a sudden, devastating effect on the lives of the victims and those closest to them. Often, these victims must cope with severe pain, frequent doctors' visits, many hospital stays, physical therapy, and the decreased earning capacity that comes with lost work time.
As hotel companies make money based on guest satisfaction, it goes without saying that they should strive to ensure the property is safe from slip and falls, which includes well maintained lobbies, hallways, rooms, parking lots, sidewalks and other public areas. Reported or observed safety issues should never be put off or ignored by hotel staff and management.
Slip-and-fall hazards at a hotel could include:
- Cracked tile and other unsafe flooring in any public areas, such as a room, a pool, or a hallway.
- Slippery showers and tubs
- Furniture that is dangerous to use, such as a chair with a broken leg
- Items that you could trip over in the hallway, such as cleaning supplies or toilet paper
- Failure to remove snow or ice in cold climates
- Food or drink spills, especially in hotels or motels that have restaurants or complimentary breakfast.
If you are considering filing a claim against a hotel, you may want to take a look at our page about filing a claim:
How To File A Personal Injury Claim Against Courtyard By Marriott.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Courtyard by Marriott and other hotel chains are often companies that can afford excellent and expensive lawyers who are experts in defending personal injury claims. However, that fact should never be a deterrent for a victim seeking just compensation for injuries suffered as a result of a hotel's negligence.
If you feel you have a personal injury case as a result of a slip-and-fall accident, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you through the claims process. You may not even need to pay your attorney unless you win your case.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Courtyard by Marriott, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
