WHEN POOR HOTEL MAINTENANCE LEADS TO HEALTH HAZARDS- A LEGAL GUIDE 1

Staying at a hotel should be a calm and comfortable experience, but if maintenance issues are disregarded, customers risk serious health hazards. From mold infestations to structural risks, poor hotel maintenance can cause accidents or diseases that disturb your life. If you suffered damage because a hotel failed to meet its obligations, you may be able to seek compensation through the legal system. 

A professional Nevada attorney can assist you in holding irresponsible hotel operators accountable and recovering the damages you deserve.

Legal Responsibility of Hotels to Guests

Hotels have a fundamental legal obligation to safeguard the safety and security of their guests while on the premises. This duty of care applies to all parts of the hotel, including the lobby, public spaces, guest rooms, and amenities. Hotels are required to take reasonable steps to identify and reduce any dangers, provide proper security, and respond swiftly to any events that occur.

At the heart of this legal responsibility is the concept of premises liability. Premises liability holds property owners responsible for any injuries or damages that occur on their property as a result of negligence or failing to provide a safe environment. In the context of hotels, this means that the institution can be held accountable for any accidents, injuries, or criminal activities that occur on hotel property, if the hotel could have reasonably foreseen and avoided the situation.

Hotels have different legal responsibilities in different jurisdictions, but these include keeping the property safe from potential dangers, hazard-free, and well-maintained. This includes a variety of responsibilities, such as keeping walkways and common areas clean and free of obstacles providing enough lighting, maintaining elevators and escalators, and adopting efficient security measures to safeguard guests from crime or other hazardous situations.

What Are Hotel Maintenance Obligations Under Nevada Law?

WHEN POOR HOTEL MAINTENANCE LEADS TO HEALTH HAZARDS- A LEGAL GUIDE 2

Hotels in Nevada are required by law to provide their visitors with a safe and well-maintained environment. This commitment, known as the “duty of care,” requires hotel operators to take reasonable precautions to avoid dangers that may cause injury. Failure to do so can result in legal action under premises responsibility rules.

Key parts of hotel maintenance obligations include:

  • Regular Inspections: Hotels must regularly examine guest rooms, common areas, and utilities for dangers.
  • Timely Repairs: Broken fixtures, broken flooring, and malfunctioning elevators must be repaired as soon as possible. 
  • Sanitation Standards: Kitchens, toilets, and common spaces must comply with health and hygiene laws.
  • Pest Control: Hotels must prevent and treat pest infestations such as bedbugs, rats, and insects.

When a hotel fails to meet these standards and a guest is harmed, the hotel can be held legally responsible.

Pest Infestations in Hotels: A Growing Problem in Nevada.

Pest infestations in hotels are not just unpleasant; they also pose serious health hazards. Common pests such as bed bugs, cockroaches, and rats thrive in poorly kept premises, causing discomfort and illness for guests.

Common Hotel Pests and Related Health Risks

  • Bed bugs: These small insects, which are commonly hidden in beds and furniture, leave painful bites that can cause skin irritation, infections, and sleep difficulties.
  • Cockroaches: They are found in unclean kitchens and moist locations and spread diseases such as salmonella, which can cause allergies and asthma.
  • Rodents: Mice and rats carry diseases such as Hantavirus, which can taint food supply and damage property.

Causes of Infestation

  • Poor cleaning techniques and a lack of frequent disinfection.
  • Insufficient or inadequate pest control treatments.
  • Inadequate waste management, which attracts bugs.

How to Build a Strong Legal Case against a Negligent Hotel?

WHEN POOR HOTEL MAINTENANCE LEADS TO HEALTH HAZARDS- A LEGAL GUIDE 3

If you have been harmed as a result of a hotel’s lack of maintenance, taking the necessary procedures quickly once will help strengthen your legal claim and safeguard your rights.

Key Steps Following an Incident:

  • Document unsafe conditions: Take pictures or videos of the hazard, such as faulty equipment, visible pests, or unsanitary conditions. Keep any impacted belongings as proof.
  • Seek medical attention. Get medical attention for any injuries or illnesses, and make sure your medical records attribute the damage to the hotel’s incompetence.
  • Report a Problem: Notify hotel administration of the problem and get documented confirmation of your complaint.
  • Contact the Local Authorities: If the hotel violates the regulations, file a formal complaint with Nevada’s health and safety bureaus.

By following these steps you can build a strong legal case against a Negligent Hotel.

Understanding Damages in Nevada Hotel Negligence Lawsuits

Victims of hotel negligence may be entitled to compensation, commonly known as damages, for their losses. The type of damages you can seek are determined by the degree of your injury or sickness, as well as the impact it had on your life.

Types of Damages

  • Medical Expenses: Includes current and future medical expenditures, such as hospital stays, medicine, therapy, and specialist consultations.
  • Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, you might seek compensation for lost wages and diminished earning potential.
  • Pain and Suffering: This covers compensation for the incident’s effects on one’s physical and mental health, including emotional discomfort, anxiety, and depression.
  • Property Damage: This policy covers the repair or replacement of personal belongings that have been damaged as a result of the hotel’s negligence.
  • Punitive Damages: In severe circumstances where the hotel’s conduct was very reckless, punitive damages may be given to penalize the hotel and discourage similar behaviour in the future.

Working with an attorney ensures that all your losses, including non-economic damages, are accounted for in your claim.

How a Nevada Attorney Can Help You Seek Justice?

WHEN POOR HOTEL MAINTENANCE LEADS TO HEALTH HAZARDS- A LEGAL GUIDE 4

If you have been harmed as a result of poor hotel upkeep, navigating the legal process on your own might be overwhelming. A professional attorney can give the knowledge required to establish a compelling case and advocate for fair recompense on your behalf.

  • Conducting a Thorough Investigation: Attorneys gather critical information, such as maintenance logs, guest complaints, and inspection records, to demonstrate the hotel’s negligence.
  • Negotiating with Insurers: Insurance companies frequently seek to reduce compensation. An attorney can negotiate aggressively to obtain a settlement that represents the full degree of your damages.
  • Representing you in Court: If discussions fail, your attorney will present your case before a court or jury, relying on convincing evidence and legal arguments.

An attorney’s knowledge of Nevada’s premises liability rules might make the difference between a successful settlement or trial.

Contact our Experienced Premises Liability Attorney in Nevada Today!

If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of poor hotel maintenance in Nevada, you are not alone in dealing with the consequences. Moss Berg Injury Lawyers are here to help you hold negligent hotels accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us immediately for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice. Your health and safety are important, and we are ready to protect your rights.

WHEN POOR HOTEL MAINTENANCE LEADS TO HEALTH HAZARDS- A LEGAL GUIDE 5