While traveling should be an opportunity to enjoy some rest and relaxation, things don’t always go as planned. And if a fatal accident occurs, hotels will need to intervene quickly as families grapple with tragedy. Families need to know about hotel negligence, too, as they try to determine the next steps.
Keep reading as we look at what can happen after a fatal accident at a hotel or resort.
Defining Hotel or Resort Negligence
Any hotel or resort must prioritize guest safety through regular maintenance and property oversight. As part of premises liability, hotel owners are considered responsible parties if someone sustains an injury, or worse, due to unsafe circumstances at the hotel. The hotel owner may ignore a crumbling staircase or faulty balcony railing, for instance, that leads to a guest’s death.
When a property manager willingly ignores maintenance issues that compromise safety, they should be held accountable. Likewise, if they fail to provide locks and robust security measures, that can be considered negligence. Owners should schedule essential repairs and monitor security to keep preventable accidents from happening.
Looking at Causes of Fatal Incidents
Though rare, fatal accidents are possible at even the nicest resorts and hotels. Sometimes, even simple issues can contribute to terrible outcomes. Uneven flooring, slippery pathways, and dim lighting are among the seemingly small problems that can trigger safety issues.
Additionally, failing to check smoke alarms and sprinklers can create unsafe circumstances in guest rooms and common areas. Property owners need to be in compliance with local fire codes to operate their hotels safely.
If balconies, elevators, and parking garages aren’t evaluated regularly, they may have structural deficiencies that go unnoticed. Ignoring maintenance and inspections can cause these key components of hotels to fail.
Lastly, failing to update locks and train a team of security staff can make hotels and resorts a target for crime. Guests could endure theft, assaults, and even death if security measures are not in place.
Seeking Help from a Wrongful Death Attorney
After a fatal accident, a wrongful death attorney can work with families to offer support and a plan of action. They’ll have a deep understanding of these situations to ensure a thorough investigation of the scene. And they’ll reach out to safety experts for insights and research other violations the property may have.
A good attorney can look beyond the immediate owner, too, to assign responsibility. A hotel management company, for instance, may have declined a repair request. Or perhaps a third-party security team did not do its job.
A wrongful death attorney can handle the communications with insurers and meet filing deadlines while families grieve. And they’ll serve as advocates during the claims process, helping families secure the money to cover funeral costs and an uncertain financial future.
Working with a lawyer close to the scene of the crime is important, too. A family that suffers a fatal loss in Missouri, for instance, will want to reach out to a local attorney. A wrongful death attorney Columbia, MO will have experience navigating state-specific laws, and they’ll know the best regional experts to bring into the case.
Understanding the Process After a Fatal Incident
Following a hotel death, families can expect emergency services personnel and police to arrive at the scene. They’ll create a police report and attend to any other injuries if multiple people were impacted. The hotel will create a report, as well, to submit to their insurance agency.
From there, investigators will look through the evidence connected to the fatal accident. They’ll review security footage to try to paint an accurate picture of what led up to the event. They’ll also collect and review witness statements.
Maintenance logs could prove crucial to establishing negligence in these situations. Attorneys will want to understand if a property owner knowingly neglected maintenance work or employee training that set the stage for the fatal accident.
All of this information gathering needs to happen quickly, however, to ensure that a family building a case can meet key deadlines. There’s also always a risk that evidence could be removed or destroyed.
Dealing with a Fatal Accident
A fatal incident at a hotel can derail what was supposed to be an enjoyable getaway. Grieving families deserve answers, and they’ll want to partner with a skilled wrongful death attorney to move forward.
Ultimately, it’s difficult for any family to find closure when facing what could have been a preventable loss. But with legal help, families can seek justice and help prevent future accidents from happening.
