The name on the sign is not always the owner
Many hotels operate under a brand while being owned by one company and managed by another, so identifying the right parties is one of the first tasks in hotel injury claims. Responsibility usually depends on who controlled the area where the injury happened and whether they knew or should have known about the hazard. Common claims involve slips and falls, falling fixtures, unsafe pools or fitness rooms, food illness, bedbugs, elevator problems, and assaults where security was lacking. Outside contractors, such as cleaning or security companies, can also be involved. Where the injury happened and where the companies are based affect which state's courts and laws may apply.
Before you leave the property
Report the injury to the front desk or a manager and ask that an incident report be prepared, then ask for a copy or at least the report number. Photograph the hazard, the area around it, and your injuries, and get names and contact information for staff or guests who saw what happened. Keep your reservation confirmation, receipts, and folio, since they establish your stay. Hotels usually have security cameras, and footage may be overwritten within a short window, so a preservation request should go out promptly. Get medical care and keep the records, including from clinics visited while traveling.
Once you are home
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the hotel's insurer before speaking with a lawyer, and be careful about posting about the trip or your injuries online. Our early work is identifying the likely owner, operator, and other parties, choosing which jurisdiction makes sense, and confirming which deadlines may apply. If the property is government-owned or the injury happened abroad, different rules and notice requirements may come into play. We also talk through your treatment and how the injury affects your work and daily life, since that shapes how the claim is presented.
