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When we go on holiday, we want to be able to relax and feel safe in the knowledge that the hotel has our safety as a primary goal. Sadly, every year people are injured at a hotel, meaning that not only is their holiday ruined, but they may also be left with life-long injuries.
So, what can you do to make sure that the hotel makes your safety a priority? And if you’re injured at a hotel, what should you do next? Our guide explains all.
Common Causes of Hotel Accidents
Slips, Trips, and Falls
The most common type of accident at a hotel is a slip, trip, or fall. This can be caused by a number of different things, such as wet floors, poor lighting, and obstacles in the way.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is another common problem at hotels, especially in developing countries. The leading causes of food poisoning are poor hygiene practices and contaminated food.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Hotel swimming pools are a common place for accidents to happen, especially if there is no lifeguard on duty. The most common type of accident is drowning, but head injuries and spinal cord injuries can also occur.
Burns and Scalds
Burns and scalds are common types of injuries at hotels. This is often due to defective or faulty electrical equipment or hot drinks being split over guests.
Thefts
Unfortunately, theft is also a common occurrence at hotels. Thieves often target guests because they have all their belongings with them, and they’re not familiar with their surroundings.
What To Look for When Choosing A Hotel
Location
When choosing a hotel, the first thing you need to consider is its location. You need to make sure that it’s in a safe area where you will feel comfortable when exploring the local area.
Use a search engine such as Google to find out more about the area and to check local online newspapers to enable you to see levels of crime and violent incidents.
Reviews
The next thing you should look at is the reviews. Ensure that the hotel has a good reputation and that other guests have had a positive experience there. Don’t forget that you will always get some differences in opinions, but if guests are raising safety concerns or there are several reports of people getting food poisoning, then alarm bells should be ringing.
Security
You should also check the level of security at the hotel. Make sure that there are CCTV cameras in operation and that the hotel has a safe place to store your belongings when you’re not using them.
If you are staying in an area where there are known to be issues, then the hotel should have security staff present at the entrance gates to the property.
Also, check if the hotel grounds are secure with a safety fence around the whole perimeter.
Staff Training
Finally, you should check that the staff have been appropriately trained in first-aid and how to deal with emergencies. If something does happen, you’ll want to know that they will be able to help you.
What To Do If You Are Involved in a Hotel Accident
If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident at a hotel, then there are certain things that you should do:
Report the Accident
The first thing that you need to do is report the accident to a member of staff. They should then give you an accident report form to fill out. It’s essential that you get this form as it will be used as evidence if you decide to claim compensation at a later stage.
Get Witnesses Details
If there are any witnesses to the accident, make sure that you get their contact details. This will be useful if you need to call on them as witnesses at a later stage.
Take Photographs
If it’s safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene and any injuries you have sustained. This will again be useful as evidence at a later stage.
See a Doctor
If you have been injured in the accident, then it’s essential that you see a doctor as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your injuries and give you the necessary treatment. They will also give you a medical report which will be helpful as evidence if you decide to claim compensation.
Keep all Documentation
Make sure that you keep all documentation relating to the accident, including the accident report form, medical reports, witness statements, and any other correspondence with the hotel or their insurance company.
This will be useful if you decide to make a personal injury claim against the hotel.
Get Legal Advice
Finally, you must get legal advice from a personal injury solicitor. They will be able to advise you on whether or not you have a valid claim and how much compensation you could be entitled to. They will also deal with all the paperwork and negotiations with the hotel’s insurance company on your behalf.