What to Do If You Are Injured at an Airbnb or Short-Term Rental in Pennsylvania

An Airbnb, or other short-term rental, offers a unique experience for travelers. These locations offer accommodations that tend to feel more like “home” when compared to hotels. Traveling with larger groups is easier with an Airbnb, as is bringing along your favorite four-legged friend. 

However, what would you do if you or a family member were injured while staying at an Airbnb or other short term rental? An injury at a hotel provides a clearer path to initiate a claim and negotiate damages. Who is responsible for your injuries at an Airbnb? Is it the homeowner, the company being used to rent out the home, or another party altogether? 

Your rights are at stake when you are injured at an Airbnb. Do not allow those rights to be taken advantage of or completely disregarded. When medical bills and missed wages become your reality after being injured, you need to have a plan. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. is a Philadelphia premises liability attorney who serves clients injured in Airbnb accidents. Contact our office today for a free case review. 

What are the most common types of accidents suffered at Airbnb rentals?

Slip and fall accidents are the most common type of injury suffered at Airbnb locations. These accidents take place in circumstances where surfaces are wet or lighting is insufficient. People staying at Airbnbs are guests in the home. Being unfamiliar with the layout contributes to the potentially dangerous conditions. 

Additionally, it is not uncommon to encounter problems with furniture and other household items in an Airbnb. A broken chair leg or stair-step can lead to a serious injury. The question that needs to be answered for these types of accidents is whether the owner or operator of the Airbnb knew or had reason to know of the dangerous condition. The answer to this question will determine if the Airbnb host can be held responsible.

Summertime in Pennsylvania means finding a swimming pool and taking a dip with your family. That is, until the lack of safety equipment or other problems with the pool lead to an injury. A lack of proper fencing or other safety features could mean that a small child wanders near the pool and injures themselves in or around the water. 

Who is at fault for an injury suffered at an Airbnb?

In certain circumstances, more than one person or entity may be responsible for the injuries suffered at the Airbnb. The host of the Airbnb may not be responsible depending upon the manner in which the injury was suffered, as well as their knowledge of the dangerous condition. 

Another consideration worth examining is a determination of which party actually owns the home in question. Suppose that a party does not own the home that is being rented out as an Airbnb. That party may not be allowed under the terms of their lease to make the necessary repairs to the property. The host and property owner may each share responsibility for injuries suffered. 

The final question, once all the parties who bear responsibility for the injuries are determined, is what percentage of fault does each of those parties bear? An experienced Philadelphia premises liability attorney knows how to determine fault distribution across multiple parties. Building a case geared towards the circumstances you are facing is exactly what Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. can do for you. 

Is it possible to file an insurance claim with Airbnb?

An insurance claim can be filed with Airbnb. It is not a simple process, however. Airbnb can offer up to $1 million in coverage, but the coverage does not extend to injuries to the host or their family. The insurance also does not cover issues that should have been fixed by a homeowner if proper diligence had been paid. An example of this is if a handrail on the stairs were broken and it caused a guest to become injured. In that scenario, Airbnb’s insurance coverage would not apply. 

When an Airbnb host finds out that they lack coverage, the next place to look for an injured guest is their homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, homeowner’s policies do not provide coverage for injuries related to short-term rentals. This puts an injury victim in a bad position. After being injured at an Airbnb, there is no apparent recourse for a person who was hurt during their stay at the Airbnb. 

Where this leaves Airbnb is that they may be personally liable for the injuries sustained by a guest at their property. A judgment can be issued in that situation, but for an injury victim to collect on that judgment, it can be complicated. Speak to Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. to develop a plan geared towards maximum recovery of damages.

What types of damages are available after being injured at an Airbnb?

There are multiple types of damages available to a person injured at an Airbnb location. The type of injuries you have suffered, along with their severity, will determine, in large part, the type of damages that can be recovered. 

Medical care is the most commonly awarded benefit in an Airbnb case. A visit to the emergency room, overnight hospital stays, physical therapy, and follow-up care with an orthopedic surgeon are just a handful of medical bills that can be paid for with damages from an Airbnb-based injury case. 

Pain and suffering, as well as lost wages, round out some of the more commonly awarded damages in an Airbnb injury case. To maximize their ability to recover damages, an injury victim should contact an experienced Philadelphia premises liability attorney today. 

Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. for a free case review

Advocate for your rights by contacting a Philadelphia premises liability attorney today. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. offers free case reviews where a client-focused legal professional can answer your questions.