What Should You Do If You Have Been Injured in a Hotel Pool Accident?
You should seek immediate medical attention if you were injured in a hotel pool accident. Some injuries aren’t immediately apparent and could worsen with time. For instance, if you suffered oxygen deprivation in a near-fatal drowning incident, you could have a traumatic brain injury. Without medical intervention, you could face significant changes to your quality of life.
If another party’s negligence led to your accident, you could seek compensation for your injury-related losses, such as healthcare expenses. The Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato tirelessly advocate for people in your situation. Today, you can start a free case review with our personal injury team by dialing (954) 633-8270.
Steps Following a Hotel Swimming Pool Accident
You must follow your doctor’s orders after initially seeking medical attention. This may involve attending physical therapy, taking certain medications, and limiting your physical activity.
Other post-accident considerations include:
Documenting Your Losses
Suffering injuries in a hotel pool accident isn’t cheap. According to Healthcare.gov, a three-day hospital stay could cost you $30,000. A broken leg could cost up to $7,500. To recover damages from the liable party, it’s vital that you document your losses. This involves keeping all relevant invoices, receipts, and billing statements.
Notifying the Hotel’s Management
You should file an accident report as soon as possible after getting hurt. This document will record the time, date, and details of the incident. By creating an immediate record of what happened, you link your injuries to the pool accident.
Taking Photos of the Accident Scene
If possible, it’s always a good idea to take photos of the accident scene, particularly the hazard that led to your injuries. This may include taking snapshots of:
- Electrical hazards, such as frayed wires or cords
- Faulty diving boards
- A lack of fencing around the pool
- Uncovered drains
- Improperly stored cleaning equipment
- Broken or defective handrails
Hotel pools must also have adequate signage outlining how visitors should conduct themselves. For instance, many hotel pools have signs that prohibit diving in shallow areas. These signs warn visitors of hazards and prevent injuries. If there were no signs around the pool area, you should take photos of the accident scene from multiple angles to document this shortcoming.
Thinking Twice About the First Settlement Offer
Hotel swimming pool accidents are bad publicity. Owners may do everything possible to make these issues go away, and that includes making low settlement offers to injured patrons. The liable party in your case may hope that by offering a low settlement, they cut costs while also invalidating your right to more money later.
You shouldn’t accept any settlement offer until you fully understand the cost of your past, present, and future injury-related expenses. You want to recover every dime you deserve for your hardships.
Refusing to Give an On-the-Record Statement
The hotel’s insurance provider might ask that you give a recorded statement following your accident. This may initially seem like your chance to tell your side of the story––but it’s not. Instead, it’s the insurance company’s opportunity to:
- Compel you to admit fault for the accident
- Downplay your injuries
- Ask loaded questions
- Manipulate you into accepting a low settlement
- Make you second guess your case
After filing your claim and supplying basic information, the insurance company can’t force you to offer extra details. This is where you may benefit from partnering with a Fort Myers personal injury attorney. They can field all communications from the insurance company and pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Consider Partnering With a Hotel Pool Accident Lawyer
While staring down medical bills and missed time from work, you may have reservations about partnering with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer. After all, Miami car accident lawyers have a reputation for being expensive, right? That’s not the case with many personal injury law firms. Many take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning injured claimants pay nothing up front for legal help. They don’t pay hourly rates or retainers, either.
With a Florida car accident lawyer on your side, you can put your full attention toward healing and moving forward. In the meantime, they can file your injury claim, investigate the accident, and advocate for fair compensation.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Hotel Pool Accident Lawsuit
Every state has a statute of limitations when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits. For instance, if you live in Florida, you could have four years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11, to file your case. In other states, you could have but a year to file.
Prompt legal action benefits you in many ways. Not only does it prevent you from missing any deadlines, but the sooner a lawyer can investigate your case, the more evidence they could uncover.
Begin a Free Case Review With the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato
Whether you or a loved one suffered injuries in a hotel pool accident, you have financial recovery options. Our team at Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato advocates for victims of negligence. Through a claim or lawsuit, you could recover the damages you deserve. Interested in exploring your options? Dial (954) 633-8270 to begin a free case review.
