Have you sustained injuries in an accident that occurred in a VRBO or Airbnb? When you’ve suffered harm in a vacation rental, you may not know where to turn to seek financial recovery for your injuries and losses. A knowledgeable vacation rental injury attorney from Ainsman Levine, LLC, can help you pursue your legal options for compensation and accountability. Our firm has become one of Pittsburgh’s preeminent law firms, providing legal representation to injured clients throughout western and central Pennsylvania. We have earned the AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell and listings on Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

After a vacation rental accident, get the legal advice and advocacy you need to recover. Contact Ainsman Levine, LLC, for a free initial case review to discuss your legal options. We can meet you at your home or hospital bed in western or central Pennsylvania. At our firm, you owe no fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you in a settlement or jury verdict.

Common Types of Injuries in Vacation Rentals

Vacationers may sustain various types of catastrophic injuries due to dangerous conditions in a VRBO or Airbnb that lead to accidents such as slip/trip and fall accidents, swimming pool and hot tub accidents, furniture and building collapses, and violent or criminal activity. Examples of injuries that may occur in vacation rentals include:

  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Severe lacerations
  • Ligament sprains and tears
  • Muscle or tendon strains and tears
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Crush injuries
  • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Spinal injuries, such as herniated or slipped discs or spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic amputation or limb loss
  • Toxic exposure

Common causes of injuries in vacation rentals include:

  • Wet or slick floors
  • Broken or missing steps or handrails
  • Damaged, worn, or broken furniture
  • Lack of fencing and other pool safety measures
  • Leaking pipes or damaged electrical wiring
  • Faulty or missing fire or gas detectors
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Broken or missing gates or locks
  • Broken or missing motion-activated lights or security cameras

Who Is Liable for an Injury at a VRBO or Airbnb?

Various parties may bear liability for a VRBO or Airbnb guest’s injuries suffered in the vacation rental, depending on the circumstances of the guest’s accident. Examples of parties you might hold liable for your vacation rental injuries include:

  • Property Owners – Property owners who operate vacation rentals on VRBO or Airbnb bear the responsibility to ensure the safety of their guests and may become liable for an accident caused by the owner’s negligent maintenance of their property.
  • The Vacation Rental Platform – Online platforms like VRBO or Airbnb may be responsible for a guest’s injuries if they failed to conduct an adequate background check on a host or if they knew or should have known of dangerous conditions at a vacation rental and continued to list the rental.
  • Third-Party Contractors – Vacation rental accidents can occur due to the negligence or recklessness of third-party contractors hired by the property owner to maintain the property, such as housekeepers, landscapers, and building contractors.
  • Other Tenants – In multi-unit vacation rentals, other tenants may cause accidents that lead to a guest’s injury. 

Compensation Available Vacation Rental Injury Claims

When you get hurt due to hazards in a vacation rental, you may have the right to seek financial relief through a legal claim against liable parties. Compensation you could recover in a vacation rental injury claim includes:

  • Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation, including emergency care, ambulance transportation, medical evacuation, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, and physical or occupational therapy
  • Costs of long-term disability care needed severe injuries or prolonged or permanent disability
  • Lost wages or income for missed work while recovering from injuries
  • Lost future earning capacity due to disabilities preventing you from returning to your job or doing other kinds of work
  • Physical pain from injuries and medical treatments
  • Emotional trauma or distress
  • Reduced quality of life due to disabilities or visible scarring or disfigurement that interferes with daily tasks or participating in activities

Challenges of Pursuing VRBO and Airbnb Injury Claims

Vacation rental guests who get hurt in their VRBO or Airbnb may face various challenges as they seek compensation for their injuries and losses. Some of the issues that can arise in a VRBO or Airbnb injury case include:

  • Liability Waivers – Vacation rental platforms may include liability waivers in their terms of service or rental agreement. However, various circumstances can affect the enforceability of such waivers. Furthermore, such waivers may protect the vacation rental platform and not waive the property owner’s liability.
  • Host Protection or Homeowners’ Insurance – Vacation rental operators may obtain host protection insurance from the rental platform that provides liability coverage. However, host protection insurance policies may have exclusions that bar coverage for specific guest injuries. Furthermore, the property owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy may also exclude coverage for vacation rental guest injuries.
  • Short-Term Rental Regulations – Vacation rental guests may face difficulty pursuing injury claims if they stay at a rental that violates local short-term rental regulations.

Steps to Take After an Accident at a Vacation Rental

Following an accident in a VRBO or Airbnb, taking prompt actions can preserve your options for seeking accountability and financial recovery. Steps to take after a vacation rental accident include:

  • Seek immediate medical attention to document your injuries and begin treatment. If necessary, end your trip early and head home to start treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Document the vacation rental by taking photos or videos of the condition(s) that caused the accident.
  • Report your injuries to the vacation rental platform, the property owner, and, if necessary, local authorities.
  • Obtain copies of any police reports or accident or incident reports.
  • Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and recovery instructions.
  • Request copies of your medical records of your treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses or losses caused by your injuries, including medical evacuation, treatment, rehabilitation, property damage, and lost vacation time.

Finally, contact a vacation rental injury lawyer from Ainsman Levine, LLC, as soon as possible to discuss your legal options for compensation for your injuries and losses and learn more about what to expect in pursuing a personal injury claim.

How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim

An experienced personal injury lawyer from Ainsman Levine, LLC, can help you recover compensation for your ongoing and future expenses or losses after you get hurt in a vacation rental by:

  • Investigating the accident to obtain evidence to help prove liability for your injuries
  • Documenting your ongoing and future expenses and personal losses to ensure we pursue maximum financial recovery for you
  • Identifying potential defendants in your case and evaluating your legal options
  • Handling communications or negotiations with property owners, the vacation rental platform, and insurance companies
  • Preparing you for what to expect in a personal injury case
  • Advising you at each stage of your claim to help you make informed decisions
  • Vigorously pursuing the compensation you need and deserve, even if that means taking your claims to court and trial to demand accountability from liable parties

Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Legal Options

After suffering injuries in an accident while vacationing in a VRBO or Airbnb, an experienced premises liability lawyer can help you seek the financial compensation and justice you deserve for your losses. Contact Ainsman Levine, LLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how our firm can help you obtain financial recovery for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.