Florida is a hotspot for tourists, with many areas throughout the state known as popular vacation destinations. The weather is beautiful, the beaches are incredible, and amusement parks abound. It’s no wonder the hospitality industry here is booming year-round.
To accommodate all the visitors, vacation rentals have become as much of a go-to as hotels. These spaces are more comfortable and offer a more private experience. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of vacation rentals that are available means that the chance of someone getting injured at one is greater than ever.
What do you do if you are injured in a vacation rental? Can you file a claim for compensation?
Types of Accidents at Vacation Rentals
Any type of accident can happen at a vacation rental. Though a few of the most common include:
- Swimming pool accidents
- Break-ins due to poor security measures
- Slips and falls that result from poor lighting, broken steps, etc.
- Exposed wires
- Collapsing deck
- Falls due to broken railing – or lack thereof
- Exposure to toxins, such as mold, gasses, and so on
Many of the above will result in bodily injury that may have resulted from the owner of the property failing to maintain it properly. Here’s a story we plucked from the headlines: Family sues Airbnb after toddler dies from fentanyl toxicity
What To Do After An Injury
If you have been injured at a vacation rental, there are a few things that you and those with you should do to protect your claim. First, depending on the injury, you will want to call emergency services. Injuries that don’t warrant a call to 911 should be treated immediately by a local ER or urgent care facility. Even if you feel ok after an incident, getting checked out is important. Many times the pain comes later and taking this action will show no gap in seeking treatment.
If possible, take pictures. You will want to take pictures of the injury itself, the area it happened, and the surrounding space. These images can come in handy down the road if you submit a claim for compensation.
Next, contact the company you rented the property through – whether Airbnb or Vrbo, etc. and advise of the accident or injury.
Seeking Counsel – and Receiving Compensation
You will want to seek out a personal injury attorney that has experience in vacation rental injuries. While the majority of vacation rentals will be covered by a pretty hefty insurance policy for situations such as this, they are not likely to hand over money to compensate you justly.
Remember, insurance companies protect their clients – which are the vacation rental company and owner. That means, in order to receive the compensation you deserve, you are going to have to fight for it. You will need to prove that the injury occurred at the property and that it happened due to the owner’s negligence – not your own.
You will need to prove that there was a dangerous condition the owner or management team knew about (or should have known), but did nothing to correct it. As a result, you were hurt.
With a skilled Broward County personal injury lawyer on your side, you can feel confident that you will have someone fighting for your rights – and the right compensation.
