Florida Hotel & Resort Accidents

Why work with an injury lawyer in Coral Gables?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants is the governing body for Florida hotels and resorts. This regulating agency is responsible for carrying out the provisions listed in Chapter 509 of the Florida Statutes. This chapter of the Florida code regulates everything from elevators to hotel administration. For example, since hotels usually are equipped with restaurants or multiple restaurants, they must meet all the necessary Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards that are applicable.

When someone is injured while at a hotel or Florida resort, the incident becomes an issue of premises liability. If the institution's failure to adhere to the Florida Statutes resulted in the injury or illness of one of the hotel guests, then the hotel will face liability and may have to compensate the victim for their injuries. This is because the individual was injured on someone else's premises. Hotels and resorts have a duty of care that they must maintain in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their guests.

At Mesa Law Firm, we work hard to represent the victims of hotel and resort accidents, so we encourage you to speak with a Coral Gables injury attorney as soon as possible.

Licensing and Inspection

Not just anyone can run a hotel. In order to do so, they must meet many standards such as service manager certifications, food service inspector standardization and sanitation regulations. Most institutions in Florida are required to annually renew their licenses. Any license obtained by a particular division of the hotel or restaurant must be displayed in either the office or lobby of that establishment so that visitors can see. This ensures the customer that they are receiving a quality product they can trust. Licenses will differ depending on the classification of the establishment.

In Florida, hotels, motels, vacation rentals, transient/non-transient apartments and bed & breakfasts all fall under a different category. Each one will have its own standards for licensing and certification. If 25 percent or more of the establishment falls under a different category, then the establishment will have to obtain permits for both. Proper licensing and certification is important for a hotel or resort, because in the event of an incident, they could be sued. If an investigation turns up that the establishment did not adhere to industry regulations, then they can incur fines and other penalties.

Issues of Premises Liability

Getting injured at a hotel, resort or any other similar location is an issue of premises liability. The owners of that establishment are responsible for providing the necessary care for their guests. There are, however, cases in which the guest is liable for their own injuries. For example, if a guest dove into a hotel swimming pool that was clearly marked "no diving" then they would likely not have a case. On the other hand, if an individual tripped and fell on badly cracked pavement on the premises of the hotel, then they may be able to file suit against the establishment. No two cases are alike, and they will all require thorough investigation.

Each incident will be evaluated on three main factors:

1. Did the defendant own the premises?
2. Was the plaintiff allowed to be on the premises?
3. Was there negligence or some other wrongful act?

Don't wait to contact an injury lawyer in Coral Gables!

If you were injured in an accident at a hotel, resort, motel or other type of lodging in the Miami-Dade County area, then we encourage you to contact our firm. You need an attorney for your premises liability case in Coral Gables. As Florida natives, we are familiar with the hotel industry and are well-equipped to handle cases of this nature. We never back down when it comes to our clients' defense. Should you become our client, we will aim to maximize your recovery!