What to Do After Suffering a Slip-and-Fall at a Hotel

When visiting a hotel for business or pleasure, you expect to have a good experience, relax, and unwind without thinking of sustaining an accident or injury. But sometimes, the hotel management and staff might be careless, leading to an accident, like a slip and fall. Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to minor or severe injuries, for which you deserve compensation.

However, you must take steps after a hotel slip-and-fall injury to maximize compensation and avoid mistakes that harm your case. We discuss these steps in this blog and cover who may be liable for your injuries after a slip-and-fall accident in a hotel. Our slip-and-fall accident lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law can help you hold the liable party accountable.

We can also explain how the claim process works and help you make the best decisions for your case — call (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free initial consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront fees.

Why Choose Slip-and-Fall Lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?

Our law firm has successfully represented slip-and-fall victims for over 40 years. In that time, we have secured more than one billion dollars for our clients. Our slip-and-fall lawyers have a unique insight into the Texas legal system, which has benefited our clients. Also, we deeply understand personal injury law and claims, including slip-and-fall cases.

Our online reviews have given us a 98% positive rating, which shows our dedication to client satisfaction and personalized legal representation. We will always prioritize your needs and commit time and resources to your claim. Reach out to us if you need a legal team that is client-centered and unafraid to fight for your rights.

We know what is needed to win your case and will work hard to get adequate compensation for your injuries. 

What Causes Hotel Slip-and-Fall Injuries?

A slip-and-fall accident can lead to several injuries, from broken bones, sprains, and strains to spinal cord injuries. Preventing these wounds requires knowing what causes slip-and-fall accidents in hotels. Below are the most common causes:

• Wet or Slippery Floors: Spills, recently mopped surfaces, or water accumulation in lobbies, bathrooms, and pool decks can create slipping hazards.
• Poor Lighting: Inadequate illumination in hallways, staircases, or parking lots can prevent guests from noticing obstacles or uneven surfaces, increasing the risk of falls.
• Uneven Flooring or Loose Carpets: Damaged carpets, loose tiles, or uneven surfaces can cause guests to slip and fall.
• Cluttered Walkways and Obstacles: Items such as cleaning equipment, luggage, or decorations left in hallways can obstruct pathways and lead to accidents.
• Inadequate Maintenance: If leaks, torn carpets, loose handrails, and burned-out lights are not promptly fixed, they can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents.

Depending on your case’s unique facts, other factors can lead to a slip-and-fall at a hotel. When you slip and fall, you must take action to hold the hotel liable. We discuss these steps below.

What Actions Should You Take After a Slip-and-Fall at a Hotel?

Here’s what to do after a slip-and-fall accident:

Seek Medical Attention

After suffering a slip-and-fall injury in a hotel, you need to prioritize your health. Depending on your injury, you might have to go to the hospital for an evaluation or call 911 for an ambulance. The call can also be made by someone who witnessed your fall or by the hotel staff.

Ensure the hospital staff documents your injuries and that all tests, diagnoses, and treatments are charted. The documentation makes up your medical record, a crucial piece of evidence if you decide to pursue a hotel accident injury claim. Also, ensure you follow your treatment plans to recover and not aggravate your injury.

Report the Incident

You might need to do this before leaving for the hospital to get treatment; if you’re with someone, they could make the report for you. But if your injury prevents you from making a report before leaving for the hospital, do so as soon as possible. Inform the hotel staff or management of the fall and ensure they document it. Then, request a copy, as you’ll need it when filing a claim.

Document the Scene

Just like filing a report, there’s a possibility your injuries won’t let you document the scene. But if you can, take photographs or videos of the exact location where the fall occurred, focusing on any hazardous conditions like wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces. This visual evidence is crucial when filing a claim.

Get Witness Information

If there were any eyewitnesses to your fall, obtain their names and contact information, as their testimonies may support your account of the incident. Also, try to get their observations immediately and ask if they will testify on your behalf. Since the slip and fall happened in a hotel, the witnesses might be guests from different locations, so getting their information and consent is crucial. If they are worried about traveling to testify, they don’t have to, as they can testify virtually.

Another thing to do after a slip and fall is to keep all clothing and footwear worn during the accident. If you keep communicating with the hotel management, staff, or insurance company, maintain a record of any correspondence, as it is vital evidence. 

Avoid Detailed Statements

When discussing the incident with hotel staff or insurance representatives, provide necessary facts but refrain from making detailed statements about fault or accepting blame, as these could impact any potential claims. Even if the insurance adjusters are friendly, remember they are after reducing the hotel’s liability in the slip-and-fall accident. Keep your answers to yes and no, and ask them to contact your lawyer.

Consult a Slip-and-Fall Attorney

Seek legal advice to understand your rights and explore potential compensation. When you retain our services, we will do the following for you:

• Evaluate your case based on its unique facts
• Gather evidence to establish liability
• Calculate damages, ensuring your economic and non-economic damages are accounted for
• Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
• Represent you in court if we can’t settle with the insurance company
• Provide legal advice and ensure compliance with legal deadlines
• Handle legal documentation and all communication.

We will inform you of your case’s progress and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you by paying you a low settlement.

Who Is Liable in a Hotel Accident Injury Claim?

Determining liability in a hotel slip-and-fall injury claim is vital to holding the responsible party accountable. The following are those who can be potentially liable in a slip-and-fall case:

• Hotel Owners and Operators: They are generally responsible for maintaining safe premises. If negligence, such as failing to address hazardous conditions, leads to an injury, they may be held liable.
• Hotel Employees: Employees are liable if their actions or negligence contribute to a guest’s injury. Also, the hotel might be liable for their employee’s actions under vicarious liability.
• Third-Party Contractors: If a contractor’s negligence contributed to the slip-and-fall accident, they or their employer might share liability.

You can file a lawsuit against one or all of the above and receive compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Get the Help You Need From Our Experienced Legal Team

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we know and have seen the devastating impacts of a slip-and-fall injury. As a result, we provide compassionate support to our clients while aggressively pursuing the party that hurt them. We give our clients 110% and employ the necessary resources to achieve the best possible outcome.

We never back down from a fight and are confident we can help you secure maximum compensation. So, if you were injured in a hotel, contact our law firm now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 for a free and confidential case evaluation.