Experiencing A Slip And Fall Accident In An Airbnb

If you’re traveling on a limited budget, then Airbnb is an excellent option because it cuts down your accommodation costs drastically. The model is straightforward – people can post their rooms or homes online, while other users can rent them for days or weeks, depending on their trip duration.

The billing is undertaken via an escrow Airbnb account, so there is little room for any payment discrepancy between the renter and owner. While this is an ideal proposition for everyone, you should know that if you get injured in an Airbnb rental, then you may not find it easy to hold the owner liable. Knowing your options will put you in a better position to file a liability claim.

Examples Of Hazards In An Airbnb

The following information will help you ascertain certain examples of hazards that may occur within Airbnb accommodation.

• Neglect to clean up debris, resulting in slipping and falling.
• Failure to fix large holes in backyards or broken steps, resulting in slipping and falling.
• Poor warning about specific home hazards, which will result in slipping and falling.
• Failure to remove ice in driveways or sidewalks before the guest arrives, resulting in slipping and falling.
• Worn out carpets or broken tiles, resulting in slipping and falling.
• Loose rug results in slipping and falling.

Slips and falls can result in serious and long-term injuries that require intense medical intervention and are accompanied by expensive bills. Getting injured in an Airbnb rental may be more complicated than a hotel.

What Happens If You’re Injured In An Airbnb Rental

Airbnb works slightly differently than a hotel, so it’s important that you understand the fine print before making a booking. The company’s terms of service absolve it from any accident-related claim or liability because it only acts as a booking intermediary without offering any other services.

In some instances, you may be able to hold the owner responsible for the accident if he or she had reasonable knowledge of the hazard and failed to manage it appropriately. But if the homeowners do not have enough insurance to cover a lawsuit or if there aren’t enough liquid assets, then suing them may not be able to produce any tangible results. Airbnb advocates additional insurance for homeowners, but not everyone pays heed to these recommendations when putting their homes for rent online.

What To Do If You Are Injured In An Airbnb Rental

If you plan on filing a lawsuit against the homeowner, you will need sufficient proof to show that the homeowner had prior knowledge of the home’s hazard and failed to properly address it. Getting proof isn’t easy, but some steps will help you follow the proper process to put you in the best possible position for filing a claim.

• Inform your host immediately about the injury and record the conversation.
• Seek prompt medical attention and save all medical bills for future claims.
• Document the incident as clearly as possible – take pictures of the accident-prone area.
• Reach out to a law specialist.

While Airbnb’s terms and conditions are relatively straightforward, the concept behind which the company is run is new. You may be able to exercise some legal options that are not covered under the liability release clause.

Changing Policies For Hosts

Airbnb now offers free $1 million host protection insurance in the event of a bodily injury related to a guest’s Airbnb stay. This cap is per listing and is subject to certain conditions, exclusions and limitations. This program is provided to landlords and homeowners free of cost without the need for paying an insurance premium.

This host protection program is only available in certain countries, including the United States. This reduces the liability risk for Airbnb hosts, but that doesn’t mean they are completely free from risk. In most cases, Airbnb pushes for hosts to claim for injuries and deaths to guests through their own insurance companies first, but many insurers don’t cover the claim because of the commercial perspective behind the accident. This can prove to be complicated for guests to establish liability claims on their own, so they may need professional help. The good news is that Airbnb guests now have a fallback option in case the homeowner doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover the liability costs that result from a slip and fall accident in an Airbnb home.