Attending a conference or a public occasion at a New York facility could turn out to be a nightmare if the venue owner or manager fails to take due care to prevent guests’ injuries or illnesses. If a conference attendee or visitor to a trade show suffers any harm during his or her stay, there might be grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. While there is an endless list of things that could go wrong, a few common hazards exist in the hospitality industry.
Slip-and-fall accidents are most common, and hazards that cause them include loose carpets or rugs and wet floors caused by negligent janitorial work or leakages. Loose hand railings, damaged stairways and debris on walkways can also lead to falls. Visitors to trade shows often trip over extension cords snaking over the showroom floor to presentation equipment, speakers and other electronic needs of exhibitors.
Inadequate security could lead to guests being attacked or assaulted by intruders in stairwells, hallways, parking areas or garages that are poorly lit, and the lack of safety guards, video cameras and door security could be seen as negligence. A third and genuine threat to visitors to such venues involves contaminated food and beverages. The risk is equally significant regardless of whether preparation occurs on site or whether a contracted caterer brings food and beverages to the venue. Furthermore, alcohol service to minors or already intoxicated visitors could also lead to liability.
Visitors to hotels, conference facilities or other hospitality venues who suffer injuries or contract illnesses might be wise to seek the support and guidance of an experienced New York premises liability attorney as soon as possible. Proving negligence will be a requirement for such a claim, and it could be a challenging process. A lawyer can launch an investigation to determine whether there was a lack of reasonable care and other evidence of negligence. A successful claim in a civil court can lead to a monetary judgment to cover economic and non-economic damages.
