What Should I Do if I Was Injured in a Rental Property or Airbnb?

Injuries can occur at any time, though at times they occur in places where you feel safe and comfortable like a rental property or Airbnb. From slipping on a wet floor to tripping over loose steps or getting hurt by faulty equipment, injuring yourself in rental properties is more common than you’d think. If you do find yourself in this predicament, it’s critical to know what actions to take to safeguard your health, your rights and your wallet.

In this article, we’ll help you understand what you should do if you get injured while staying at a rental property or an Airbnb. We’ll talk about what to do right away, how to deal with that situation legally, and how you can make sure that you get paid for those damages.

Get to the doctor right away

Take care of yourself in the aftermath of an injury is a priority. Even if it doesn’t seem serious at first, always better to be seen by a medical professional. Some injuries might not become symptomatic right away, and it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. Visit the emergency room, urgent care or a nearby doctor to evaluate the injury. If you’re in a great deal of pain, or you can’t move properly, don’t hesitate to call for an ambulance.”

Be sure to retain records of any medical treatment you receive, such as doctor’s notes, prescriptions and diagnostic results. This will be essential if you ever need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action down the line.

Notify the Property Owner or Host of the Injury

After you’ve received medical attention, the next step is to report the injury to the property owner or host. Whether you are staying in an Airbnb rental or a traditional rental property, it is important to make sure that the host or property manager is aware of the situation. That does two important things:

It also warns them of the potential dangers that caused your injury and which they might need to address for subsequent guests.

It makes a note of the situation, which may be important for insurance or legal purposes.

At reporting the injury, specify how it happened. Did you fall on a slippery surface? Was there a broken step or malfunctioning devices? The more information you can provide to allow the owner to evaluate the scenario better the better. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, you can report the incident directly via the platform’s messaging system to create a written record of your communications.

Take Photos of the Scene and Your Injuries

These situations rely heavily on documentation. Take as many pictures as you can of where you got hurt and your injuries. This evidence may support how the injury occurred and to help strengthen your claim in the event you need to file a lawsuit or insurance claim.

If you fell owing to a broken or cracked step, for example, either photograph the step, the general area, and the hazard that caused the tumble. In a similar vein, if you were to slip on a wet floor, take a photo of the wet area, the type of flooring and the lack of (or presence of) warning signs posted.

You should also photograph your injuries. If they’re visible, like cuts, bruises or swelling, document them regularly, as they change. These pictures will be critical evidence if you ever have to go to court or prove the extent of your injury.

Collect Contact Information and Eyewitness Accounts

If there are any witnesses to the incident, get their contact information and a description of what they saw. If the case progresses, their testimony can be crucial. Eyewitness accounts may straighten out details you may have overlooked or verify how the accident occurred.

If you’re at an Airbnb or a rental property with other guests, collect names and contact information from anyone who was there as well. They might be able to help corroborate your account of the accident, which can be especially useful if you’re dealing with insurance companies or legal representatives.

Go Over the Property’s Insurance and Liability Insurance

Most rental properties, including those offered through a platform like Airbnb, have some kind of insurance that covers injuries. But the details of this coverage are not the same everywhere. To know your options, look at the property’s insurance policy. You can ask the host or property manager for this information, or see if it’s mentioned in the rental agreement.

The host guarantee offered through Airbnb covers damage to property during your stay, but may not cover personal injury. Airbnb also has a “Host Protection Insurance” policy that could cover injuries to guests in certain situations. You’ll need to contact Airbnb’s support team to better understand the specifics of these policies.

Be sure to review what these policies do and do not cover. You may be able to file a claim for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses to cover any injury that falls within the guidelines of this coverage.

Reach Out to Your Own Insurance Company

You may also seek reimbursement through the host’s insurance or, if you have one, through your health insurance for medical bills stemming from your injury. Contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident and get advice on what to do next regarding claims. They might ask for information about the accident, so be ready to provide documentation like medical records, photos of the injury and any reports you’ve made about the incident to the property owner.

If you have renters’ insurance or travel insurance, these policies may also help cover some of the costs associated with the injury. Get in touch with your insurer to determine what your coverage includes and how to file a claim.

Find Out If You Are Entitled to Compensation

If the property owner’s negligence led to your injury, you could be due compensation. Negligence means that property owner failed to keep area safe, which caused your injury. For example, if the property owner did not repair a broken step or did not warn that the surface was slippery enough, he or she may be liable for your injury.

Here are some of the things to consider before you decide whether you have a case for compensation:

Was the property owner negligent in their maintenance of the property?

Could there be an obvious hazard that should have been something that was taken care of ahead of time before your stay?

Did the property owner or host know about the hazard before the accident?

Consulting a personal injury lawyer, someone who can evaluate the details of the case to see if negligence was at play. An attorney can provide you clarity on whether you have a valid claim, handle negotiations with insurance companies and even represent you in court if it comes to that.

Consider Filing a Legal Claim

If the injury was serious, and you can’t get a fair settlement from the property owner’s insurance — or with your own insurance — you may want to file a lawsuit. Legal claims can be a complicated and lengthy decision so you want to have legal counsel on your side. This is where a personal injury lawyer who specializes in these types of cases comes into play, as they can help you through the process and build a strong case.

Before you even file a lawsuit, make sure you’ve documented the injury well, that you have all medical records, and that you followed the proper reporting steps.” Although it is true that insurance companies will often settle these matters without going to court, the best way to protect your rights is to secure the services of an attorney.

Do Something to Avoid Getting Hurt Again

Many times, injuries in a rental property could have been prevented. After you’ve healed, you may want to talk to the property owner about what safety changes to consider in order to avoid future injuries. For instance, you may want to suggest better lighting, less slippery floors, or a more stable staircase if your injury was caused by these types of maintenance issues.

This helps the host keep the space safer but also ensures that later guests won’t be as unlucky. If you’re staying in some Airbnb, leave a long review highlighting the safety problems so that other guests know.

Generally, being injured in a rental property or an Airbnb can be a stressful ordeal, but taking the necessary steps can help you protect your health and legal rights. By seeking medical help, documenting the injury and scene, and understanding your insurance options, you’ll be better equipped to deal with the consequences. Don’t be afraid to contact a personal injury attorney, who may help you through every step of the way of receiving restitution.