You may stay at a Newport hotel for fun, a Providence hotel for business, or another Rhode Island hotel because you’re traveling. No matter the reason, you probably never expect your stay to end in an injury. However, hotel accidents do happen and often result in physical and emotional harm. If you or your child is hurt in a Rhode Island hotel, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you. 
Possible Accidents in Rhode Island Hotels
Most hotels offer a safe and secure environment for their customers, providing lodging for multiple nights if necessary. When travelers spend time at a hotel, they usually don’t expect there to be dangerous or risky conditions that could put them at risk for an accident. However, hotels are bustling environments with numerous potential hazards that can cause a variety of different accidents.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of accidents that occur in hotels. Wet or uneven surfaces, inadequate lighting, poorly maintained walkways, and debris on floors can all cause slip and falls. Snow and ice can also contribute to this type of accident in the winter.
Trip and Fall Accidents
Similar to slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents can happen due to hazards such as loose carpeting, torn or frayed rugs, or objects obstructing hallways or common areas.
Stairway, Elevator, and Escalator Accidents
Malfunctioning elevators and escalators can lead to accidents and injuries. Sudden stops, unbalanced movements, or faulty handrails can cause passengers to fall and get hurt. Similarly, you could get hurt on the stairs if the steps are uneven, the railings are broken, or the lighting is inadequate.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Hotels often feature swimming pools. However, lack of proper maintenance, inadequate supervision, slippery surfaces, or equipment malfunctions can lead to slip and fall and drowning incidents.
Possible Injuries Resulting From Hotel Accidents
Hotel accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Drowning or near-drowning injuries
What to Do After a Rhode Island Hotel Injury
If you are injured at a hotel due to hazardous conditions, you may wonder how to file a personal injury claim or sue the hotel for damages. What you do immediately following a Rhode Island hotel injury matters. Your actions, or inactions, could impact your legal, physical, and emotional recoveries.
Get Medical Attention
Getting medical attention immediately is important, even if you think your injuries are minor. A health care professional will diagnose your injuries, provide the necessary treatment, help manage your pain, and document your injuries. This documentation could be valuable evidence in your personal injury claim.
Report the Incident to Hotel Management
Notify hotel management about the accident as soon as you are physically able to do so. Only share the indisputable facts about what happened. For example, you might share the date, time, and location of the accident, but do not make any assumptions or guesses about the cause of the accident.
You have the right to ask for the hotel's written incident report. Not every hotel will give it to you. However, the hotel may share the report with you, and it could be relevant to your hotel accident claim.
Document Evidence
If you can, gather evidence immediately after your injury. Evidence may include pictures or videos of any hazards or injuries. Additionally, you can collect contact information from any witnesses who saw you get hurt.
Some evidence, such as surveillance video or maintenance records, may not be in your control. However, your hotel accident lawyer can request and preserve this evidence for you.
Keep Relevant Records
In the weeks and months following your injury, keep a record of all medical documents. This may include medical reports, bills, and receipts.
Contact a Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorney
You have the right to consult with an experienced Rhode Island premises liability lawyer. A lawyer can evaluate your case, gather and protect relevant evidence, negotiate with insurers, advocate for your full and fair recovery, and guide you through the legal process.
Recoverable Damages After a Rhode Island Hotel Injury
Before you pursue a Rhode Island hotel injury case, you deserve to know what you may recover if your case is successful. Your potential compensation may include current and future:
Medical expenses
Your medical expenses may include costs associated with hospitalization, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any other necessary medical treatments.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have impacted your ability to earn a living in the future, you may be eligible to recover lost wages and potential future earnings.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering provides monetary relief for the physical and emotional distress you have experienced as a result of the hotel injury. This can include compensation for the physical pain, mental anguish, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by your hotel accident injury. Additionally, you may recover for psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues resulting from the hotel injury.
Rehabilitation and therapy costs
If your injuries require ongoing rehabilitation or therapy, you may be entitled to compensation for these expenses. This can include the costs associated with physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and other forms of treatment necessary for your recovery.
Punitive damages
In cases where the hotel's negligence or misconduct was particularly egregious, you may be eligible to receive punitive damages. These damages aim to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. However, it's important to note that punitive damages are only awarded in cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct.
The compensation you receive will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, and the level of negligence involved. Our experienced Rhode Island injury lawyers will help you value your case, so you can make educated decisions about what to do next.
