Injured at a Florida Hotel or Resort? Here’s What You Need to Know
By Robert Johnson, Partner
Florida welcomes over 130 million visitors each year and is home to more than 4,000 hotels and resorts. While the hospitality industry thrives, injuries on hotel properties are more common than many realize, and they can have serious, lasting effects.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury at Florida hotels and resorts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 people are hospitalized annually due to falls, many occurring in public venues like resorts.
If you are injured during your stay at a Florida hotel or resort, keep these important points in mind:
Florida Law Protects Guests
Under premises liability law, hotel and resort owners are required to maintain reasonably safe conditions. This means they must fix or provide clear warnings about hazards such as:
-Wet pool decks or slippery tiles
-Broken handrails or elevators
-Poor lighting in hallways or stairwells
-Damaged walkways or furniture
Report the Injury Immediately
It’s crucial to notify hotel staff right away and file a formal incident report. Request a copy of the report for your records, and carefully document the names of the staff members you spoke with, along with the date and time of the report.
Document Everything
Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. These details can be essential for proving negligence.
Be Cautious with Insurance Representatives
Hotel insurance companies may contact you quickly, offering low settlements or requesting recorded statements. Do not agree to any offers or sign any documents without consulting an attorney first. You may be entitled to significantly more compensation.
The bottom line is that if a hotel or resort failed to keep its premises safe and that caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for:
-Medical bills
-Lost wages
-Pain and suffering
-Long-term rehabilitation expenses
A qualified personal injury attorney, like the professionals at Pike & Lustig, LLP, can evaluate your case, protect your rights, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we represent individuals injured due to unsafe conditions at hotels, resorts, and other commercial properties throughout Florida. With offices across South Florida, our experienced personal injury lawyers understand the complexities of premises liability claims and are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
Whether your injury occurred in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Stuart, Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, or elsewhere in Florida, we provide strategic legal counsel with a proven track record.
If you were injured during a hotel or resort stay, contact Pike & Lustig, LLP today for a free consultation and let us protect your rights.
