Hotel Premises Liability Lawyer | Maine

As a guest at a hotel, you have the right to expect a safe and secure environment. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries can occur due to the negligence of hotel staff or management. Understanding hotel premises liability is crucial if you or a loved one has been injured while staying at a hotel.

Whether you’ve experienced a slip and fall, a security issue, or any other type of injury, the attorneys at Mann Law are here to help you navigate your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and occupiers responsible for ensuring the safety of their property.

The purpose of premises liability is to protect people who are injured due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. These cases often arise in various settings, including private residences, commercial establishments, and public spaces.

How Premises Liability Applies to Hotels in Maine

In the context of hotels, premises liability means that hotel owners and operators have a duty to maintain a safe environment for their guests.

This includes regularly inspecting the property, addressing potential hazards promptly, and ensuring that all facilities are in good working order. When hotel management fails to uphold these responsibilities, they could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

Common Causes of Injuries on Hotel Properties

Injuries on hotel properties can occur for various reasons, often due to the negligence of hotel staff or management. Understanding these common causes is crucial for identifying potential hotel premises liability claims. Here are some frequent sources of injuries on hotel properties.

• Slip and fall accidents. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and poorly maintained walkways are just a few examples of things that may cause a fall.

• Swimming pool accidents. Hotel swimming pools pose several risks, including drowning, slip and falls on wet surfaces, and injuries caused by faulty pool equipment.

• Elevator and escalator incidents. Malfunctioning elevators and escalators can cause severe injuries. Common issues include sudden stops, jerky movements, and entrapment, often due to improper maintenance or mechanical failures.

• Negligent security leading to assaults or theft. Insufficient lighting, lack of security personnel, and faulty locks can create unsafe conditions, making the hotel liable for any resulting harm.

• Fire safety hazards. Fires can break out due to faulty wiring, lack of smoke detectors, or inadequate emergency exits. 

• Food poisoning. Contaminated food and beverages can cause severe illnesses, and hotels can be held liable for failing to maintain proper hygiene standards.

Recognizing these common causes of injury can help you understand when you may have a potential claim. If you have been injured in any of these ways while staying at a hotel, it is important to seek an experienced hotel liability lawyer.

Pursuing Damages Under Maine’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law

Maine follows the modified comparative negligence rule, which can significantly impact your hotel premises liability claim. Under this rule, your compensation may be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for your injury.

However, Maine’s modified comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages as long as you are not 50% or more at fault for the incident. That being said, the court usually reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you tripped and fell over a poorly maintained carpet in the hallway while you were running to catch the elevator before the door closed, a court may determine that you share some responsibility for your injury.

In this example, let’s say that you have $10,000 in damages and the court says you are 20% at fault. This means you’d only recover $8,000.

How an Experienced Hotel Liability Lawyer Can Help

Understanding Maine’s modified comparative negligence rule is crucial when pursuing a hotel premises liability claim. Hotels and their insurance providers often attempt to assign some degree of blame to the injured party to reduce their liability. 

This is where a skilled hotel liability lawyer can make a difference, helping to counter such arguments and work to maximize your compensation.

An experienced attorney can effectively argue against claims of partial fault and ensure that you receive the full amount of damages you are entitled to. Additionally, your attorney can help with: 

• Gathering evidence,
• Interviewing witnesses,
• Hiring expert testimony,
• Negotiating with the defense,
• Handling legal proceedings, and
• Representing you in court if necessary.

For these reasons, having a knowledgeable hotel liability lawyer by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Steps to Take if You’re Injured at a Hotel

Experiencing an injury while staying at a hotel can be stressful and overwhelming. However, knowing what to do if injured in a hotel can help protect your health and legal rights. Here are some steps you should take following an injury on hotel property:

1. Seek medical attention, 
2. Report the injury to hotel management,
3. Gather evidence if you can,
4. Document your injuries and treatment,
5. Avoid discussing your injury with staff or the insurance company, and
6. Contact a knowledgeable hotel liability lawyer.

Generally, following these steps will help strengthen your claim should you choose to pursue it. While it’s not a guarantee, it positions your case to put up the best possible argument for compensation.

Mann Law Is Here to Help If You’ve Been Injured on Hotel Property

If you’ve been injured while staying at a hotel in Maine, the dedicated team at Mann Law is here to help you navigate the complexities of hotel premises liability.

Christiana Mann and our experienced attorneys understand how insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you. You need a committed Maine premises liability lawyer to advocate for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. 

With accolades from Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers, we have the experience to advocate for clients. Contact us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable attorneys and start your journey towards recovery.