Airbnb and short-term rentals have become popular in Hollywood, Miami, and other parts of Florida. Unfortunately, there have been cases where guests or hosts are injured in these accommodations. When you are traveling and injured, it can be difficult to know where to turn.
Preventing Injury
If you are a guest, make sure you understand what to do to stay safe. Unlike hotels, short-term rentals are not regulated to the same extent as hotels. This means that rentals may lack smoke detectors, secure doors and windows, fire extinguishers, and other safety measures. Some rental units even have unsafe conditions. Guests have been injured falling from unsecured balconies or have suffered serious problems after being seriously injured.
If you are a guest, check to make sure the property is safe. If you notice lack of fire safety equipment or any signs a property is unsafe, contact the host and the short-term rental site and asked to be moved at no cost to a safer spot. If safety is a priority, stay at a hotel or more strictly controlled accommodation.
If you are injured in a short-term rental, you may be able to pursue legal claims against the property owner. However, Airbnb and other platforms do offer insurance. Homeowners insurance will often not cover injuries from short-term stays. This can make it very challenging to get insurance coverage if you suffer a slip and fall or any injury. If you are injured, you will want to work with an experienced Hollywood or Florida personal injury attorney to protect your rights.
If you host, take precautions to prevent injury to guests. This means taking care to provide first-aid kits, working smoke detectors, and other regular safety measures. Do regular checks of your property to ensure that any problems, such as broken lights or loose railings, are fixed before someone is injured. Remember: you may be held liable if anyone is injured as your guest and in such a situation it is likely that neither the short-term rental platform or your homeowner’s insurance will want to cover costs. You may not be as covered as you think you are.
If you live in a condo or apartment building, make sure short-term rentals in your building do not invalidate your insurance. Unfortunately, the neighbors of short-term rentals often suffer most. You may face increased traffic and noise as well as strangers on your property if someone in your building is a host. Some people have even reported break-ins and assaults from nearby short-term guests.
If you have been injured as a short-term rental guest or as a neighbor of a short-term rental, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation. Due to the new nature of this industry, you will need legal help to pursue the compensation you may be rightfully entitled to.