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Vacation Injuries, Get the Legal Help You Need

Vacation Injuries, Get the Legal Help You Need

injured on vacationWhat should you do if you are injured on vacation?

Will you be taking a vacation this summer? Will you be relaxing on the beach? Visiting an amusement park with your family? Or, staying at a nice hotel? These don’t seem like dangerous activities, but accidents and injuries can happen anywhere.

A vacation is supposed to be a stress-free break from everyday life – a chance to rest and recuperate from a demanding job or a long year of school. But, a serious injury can ruin any chance of relaxing.

According to the CDC, one in five Americans is injured while on vacation. Sometimes injuries occur because people push themselves to try new things while on vacation. Scuba diving, bungee jumping, even eating an unusual food can cause a vacationer to get hurt or sick. But, most vacation injuries occur because of unsafe conditions caused by negligence.

The law requires hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, amusement parks and other vacation destinations to provide a safe environment and post warnings of any known hazards. However, a tough economy means that many businesses take short cuts to save a few dollars.

Examples of Vacation Injuries

  • Slip and falls caused by unsafe conditions at a hotel or restaurant
  • Escalator or elevator injuries
  • Swimming pool slip and falls
  • Food poisoning
  • Robberies or assaults caused by improper lighting or a lack of security
  • Assaults by hotel or theme park employees
  • Amusement park ride injuries
  • Hotel gym accidents
  • Injuries from overcrowding
  • Boat or cruise ship accidents
  • Scuba diving or parasailing accidents
  • Car, truck and bus accidents
  • Allergic reactions

Four Steps to Take After a Vacation Injury

  1. Get medical treatment for your injury. You may want to wait until you get home and can see your own doctor, but this is a bad idea for both medical and legal reasons. Many injuries get worse without treatment. And, a medical exam provides documentation that the accident occurred. Go to an emergency room or urgent care clinic.
  2. Collect evidence. Take pictures of the accident scene and any injuries. If your clothes were ripped or your possessions were damaged, put them in a plastic bag until you have talked to an attorney. They may be used as evidence in your case.
  3. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. If you are in a car accident, get the other drivers name, license plate number and insurance carrier. If you sustained injuries in another type of accident, try to get the name and phone number or email of anyone who saw it happen.
  4. File an accident report. If you slip and fall at a hotel or restaurant, ask to file an injury report with the manager. After a motor vehicle accident, call the police to file a report.

If another person’s negligence caused your vacation injury, you may be eligible for compensation. Damages can include compensation for your past and future medical bills, extra expenses caused by your injury, lost income, permanent disability, and pain and suffering.

Laws regarding personal injury vary from state to state, so if you are injured while on vacation, you will want to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers and ask to schedule a free consultation. An attorney will listen to your story and let you know if you have a case.