Experiencing an injury while staying at an Airbnb can be distressing and raises uncertainties about the appropriate steps to take for recourse and compensation. Understanding the actions to follow in these circumstances is critical for ensuring proper care and compensation for the injuries sustained.
8 Steps to Take When Injured at an Airbnb
Nobody goes on vacation expecting to get hurt. It’s frustrating on multiple levels and can easily ruin a trip. But it’s important to realize that anything can happen.
As attorney John Price explains, “Whether you are staying at a hotel, resort, or Airbnb, you might encounter poorly maintained premises, inadequate security measures, or negligence in maintaining public areas that can lead to injuries or assaults.”
Knowing how to respond in one of these situations is critically important. Here are eight steps we recommend taking
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do is take care of yourself. If you’re hurt, getting medical help is the top priority – nothing else matters at this point. Don’t worry about anything else until you’ve seen a doctor or visited a hospital if needed. Your health and safety are more important than anything else at this moment.
This is important to remember: Some injuries might not seem serious at first but can get worse if not treated right away. In the immediate aftermath of an injury, your adrenaline can mask symptoms. It’s best to be seen by a medical professional, even if you think you’re alright.
- Document Everything
Once you’re safe and have taken care of any immediate health concerns, start documenting what happened.
- Take photos of where and how the injury occurred and any visible injuries on your body.
- If there were any witnesses, get their contact information.
- Write down everything you remember about the incident while it’s fresh in your mind.
This documentation can be crucial later on, especially if you need to prove what happened. If nothing else, it helps you wrap your mind around what happened and put all of the pieces of the story together.
- Notify Your Airbnb Host
Let your Airbnb host know about the incident as soon as possible. Most hosts want to ensure their guests have a safe and enjoyable stay, so they should be concerned about your well-being. Plus, informing them right away shows that you’re handling the situation responsibly.
When you talk to them, be clear about what happened, but stick to the facts. Do not embellish, add details, or fail to mention important facts. Anything misleading – intentional or unintentional – could end up comprising your ability to seek recourse.
- Contact Airbnb
After you’ve talked to your host, it’s time to notify Airbnb. They have a system in place for handling incidents like this. You can contact them through their website or app.
According to the company, “The fastest way is to use your Airbnb app, tap your Profile and select Get help, then tap Contact us under your trip.”
When you get in touch, explain what happened and provide any documentation you have. Airbnb might have policies or insurance that could help cover medical costs or other expenses related to the injury.
- Preserve Evidence
Keep everything related to the incident and your injury. This includes any medical records, receipts for expenses you’ve had because of the injury (like medication or treatments), and all the documentation and photos you took. If you had to cut your trip short or incur other unexpected costs, keep records of those, too. All of this information could be important later.
- Review Airbnb’s Policies
Take some time to look over Airbnb’s terms and conditions, especially any parts related to guest safety and what happens if someone gets hurt. Understanding these policies can give you a clearer idea of what to expect and what Airbnb might do to help. It can be a bit dry to read through, but it’s important to know where you stand.
- Consider Your Legal Options
Sometimes, resolving things through Airbnb and with the host might not be enough, especially if the injury is severe or has long-term consequences. In that case, you might need to think about legal action. This doesn’t mean you’re starting a big lawsuit right away, but it’s about understanding your rights and what compensation you might be entitled to.
- Seek Legal Advice
If you’re thinking about legal action or just want to understand your options better, talking to an attorney who specializes in personal injury or premises liability can be a smart move. They can give you professional advice based on the specifics of your situation. Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so it won’t cost you anything to get some initial advice.
Putting it All Together
Getting injured is the last thing anyone wants, especially when you’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying yourself. But if it does happen at an Airbnb, knowing what steps to take can make a big difference. Hopefully, this article has given you an idea of how to respond.
