These days, the choices for overnight lodging (both hotel and motel) range from full-service to boutique to extended stay, and even economy. While motels are not as common as they were a few decades ago, these smaller properties offer direct access for individuals from the parking lot – without the need to enter a hotel lobby. If you are traveling for business or just going on vacation, you may find that you need to use a hotel or motel in the state for your limited stay.
Hotels offer fun, unique experiences. There is a plethora of hotels in Kentucky to choose from, too. While fun, hotels are also crowded and can be dangerous. Like other commercial property owners, hotels are legally required to keep the premises safe – this includes safety in stairways, lobbies, restaurants, bars, fitness centers, gift shops, spas, pools, and other common areas. Guest rooms must also be equipped with the proper items to keep guests safe.
Resorts and hotels often forgo safety in order to offer more enticing accommodations to their visitors. They will also forget about the safety of their guests, which results in numerous accidents and injuries each year.
Common Hotel Injuries
There are some injuries more common to hotels than others, including:
- Wet and slippery surfaces
- Unsteady or broken furniture
- Unsafe swimming pool conditions
- Broken or inadequate hotel room locks
- Unsafe stairwells
- Balcony and hallway issues
- Dangerous conditions or hazards left on the floor
- Insect infestations
- Inadequate security
- Elevator and escalator accidents
When a hotel staff is aware of these poorly maintained areas or hazards – or should be – they are considered negligent in the state of Kentucky, and can be held liable for any damages that their negligence has caused.
The Duties of a Hotel to its Guests
Regardless of whether you are staying overnight or for the week, part of your being a customer means that you are guaranteed a safe stay. Common hotel responsibilities to guests include:
- Maintaining all adequate lighting.
- Training pool staff to prevent injuries.
- Maintaining stairs, elevators, and escalators on the premises.
- Maintaining locks and doors throughout the hotel.
- Controlling insect and rodent infestations.
- Repairing defects that could injure a person.
Proving the Hotel’s Negligence
In order to hold the hotel liable for your injuries, you will need to prove that the hotel was negligent. This means showing that the hotel owed you a duty of care, and that the duty was breached. You can do this by showing previous complaints or injuries, or even by having witnesses. Sometimes, accessing the hotel’s maintenance records can help prove that the hotel was negligent by showing that they were aware of a hazard, but did not fix it.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney in Kentucky Today
Hotels have large law firms ready to protect their investment. If you have been injured in a hotel, you need to contact a personal injury attorney first. The Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC can assist you with your claim. Schedule your free consultation now by calling 502-791-9000 or request a consultation by contacting us online.
