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Marko Law Firm

Detroit Hotel Injury Lawyer: Accidents on Vacation

Whether you were in Detroit for business or a long-awaited vacation, the last thing you expected was to leave the hotel in an ambulance. But here you are—injured, angry, and wondering how it could’ve happened.

When a hotel fails to uphold basic safety, it’s more than a mistake. It’s a betrayal of trust. You weren’t just a guest—you were a paying customer who had every right to expect a clean, secure, and hazard-free space. Now you're dealing with physical pain, unexpected medical bills, lost time at work, and a trip that turned into trauma.

This isn’t just an accident. This is negligence—and someone needs to be held accountable.

We know their games: Deny responsibility, downplay your injuries, offer you a weak settlement, and hope you’ll just go away. At Marko Law, we make sure they pay for what they broke—your health, your plans, and your peace of mind.

Common Types of Hotel Injuries

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

  • Wet bathroom floors with no warning signs
  • Loose rugs or mats that bunch up
  • Uneven walkways, stairs, or poorly lit hallways

These are the most common—and preventable—types of hotel injuries. Under Michigan premises liability law, hotel owners can be held accountable for failing to maintain safe walking surfaces.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Poorly maintained elevators and escalators can cause:

  • Sudden drops or jolts
  • Door malfunctions that trap or crush
  • Escalator missteps that cause falls or entrapment

We’ve handled these claims before. Mechanical safety isn’t optional—it’s required.

Swimming Pool Injuries

From slippery tiles to shallow dives and unsupervised children, hotel pools can become deadly fast. Common causes include:

  • No lifeguards or warning signs
  • Broken or missing safety equipment
  • Unsecured pool areas accessible to children

Drownings and serious pool accidents are tragic—but entirely preventable.

Burn Injuries

Guests have suffered burns from:

  • Overheated shower water
  • Faulty appliances or irons
  • Fire hazards like faulty smoke alarms or electrical issues

These injuries can be physically and emotionally devastating—and may warrant punitive damages if gross negligence is involved.

Bedbug Infestations

Hotels must maintain clean, sanitary sleeping conditions. Bedbug bites can lead to:

  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Infections
  • Emotional trauma and embarrassment

We’ve seen these cases ignored by management until legal action forces accountability.

Food Poisoning

If you were sickened by food from a hotel restaurant, buffet, or room service, you may have a claim. Common culprits include:

  • Improper food storage
  • Cross-contamination
  • Expired or undercooked ingredients

Foodborne illness can result in hospital stays, long-term damage, or even fatal consequences.

Assault Due to Negligent Security

Hotels are responsible for providing reasonable protection. When they fail to provide adequate security and a guest is assaulted or robbed:

  • They can be held liable under negligent security laws
  • Claims may involve lack of lighting, broken locks, or failure to address known threats

Legal Grounds for a Hotel Injury Claim

Premises Liability

This is the cornerstone of most hotel injury claims. Under Michigan premises liability law, hotels must:

  • Keep the property reasonably safe
  • Address hazards they know or should know about
  • Warn guests about dangers that can’t be fixed immediately

Slip and falls, broken staircases, or faulty doors? That’s premises liability.

Negligence or Gross Negligence

If hotel management acted carelessly—or worse, recklessly—they may be liable under Michigan negligence law. Gross negligence applies when the hotel shows a willful disregard for safety, such as:

  • Ignoring repeated maintenance complaints
  • Falsifying safety inspections
  • Leaving known hazards unaddressed

Product Liability

If your injury involved defective hotel equipment—like a malfunctioning elevator, scalding shower, or unsafe furniture—we may also pursue a product liability claim against:

  • The manufacturer
  • The installer
  • The supplier

No guest should be harmed by faulty appliances or furnishings that never should’ve passed inspection.

Respondeat Superior (Employer Liability)

Hotel staff are agents of the business. If an employee’s negligence—say, a cleaner leaving a slippery floor unmarked or a lifeguard failing to respond—causes injury, the hotel itself can be held liable.

This legal doctrine, respondeat superior, allows us to hold employers accountable for what their employees do on the clock.

Dram Shop Liability

Under Michigan’s Dram Shop laws, hotels with bars or restaurants can be sued if they over-serve alcohol to:

  • A visibly intoxicated guest
  • A minor

If that guest then causes an injury—such as a fight, assault, or DUI accident—the hotel may bear legal responsibility for the harm.

Code Violations (Fire, Health & Safety)

Hotels must follow Michigan building, fire, and health codes enforced by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). If your injury stemmed from:

  • Non-functioning smoke alarms
  • Inadequate lighting or security
  • Unsafe stairways or exit routes

...those code violations can become crucial evidence of negligence.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

Emergency and Ongoing Medical Costs

Your medical bills can stack up fast. We help recover compensation for:

  • Ambulance and ER visits
  • Surgeries, hospital stays, and specialists
  • Physical therapy or long-term care
  • Future medical expenses tied to chronic injuries

We bring in medical experts to project your future needs—so you’re not stuck footing the bill later.

Lost Income from Missed Work

If your injury forced you to miss work—or you can’t return to the same job—we pursue:

  • Wages lost during recovery
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Missed bonuses, promotions, or business opportunities

Pain and Suffering

This includes:

  • Chronic pain
  • Limited mobility
  • Sleeplessness
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

You shouldn’t have to “tough it out” while the hotel moves on unscathed. We make sure your suffering counts.

Scarring, Disability, or Disfigurement

Visible injuries often have invisible consequences. If you’ve suffered permanent harm:

  • Nerve damage
  • Mobility loss
  • Disfigurement or visible scarring

...we seek maximum compensation for your dignity and independence.

Emotional Distress and Trauma

After a serious hotel injury—especially one involving children, burns, or assaults—trauma lingers. We pursue damages for:

  • PTSD
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Fear of elevators, stairs, or travel
  • The psychological toll of disfigurement

Punitive Damages

If the hotel’s conduct was grossly negligent or reckless—like ignoring known safety issues or falsifying inspections—we’ll fight for punitive damages. These aren’t just for you—they’re meant to punish the offender and protect others.

What to Do After a Hotel Injury

Report the Incident to Hotel Staff or Management

Tell someone in authority as soon as the injury occurs. Insist they document the situation. Be clear, calm, and specific—but don’t downplay your injuries.

Request a Written Incident Report and a Copy

Ask for a copy before you leave or have them email it to you. This document proves the hotel was made aware of the injury and how it happened—and it’s often the first thing insurers look for.

Take Photos of the Scene, Your Injuries, and Surroundings

Document everything:

  • The hazard that caused your injury (wet floor, loose handrail, etc.)
  • Your visible injuries (bruising, bleeding, swelling)
  • The environment (lighting, signage, surroundings)

Even one photo can make the difference between dismissal and a strong claim.

Get Medical Care Immediately

Even if you think you’ll “walk it off,” go to the ER or urgent care. Medical records serve as critical evidence and help establish the severity and timing of your injuries.

Don’t Talk to Hotel or Insurance Representatives Alone

They may act friendly—but they’re protecting their bottom line, not your recovery. Never agree to:

  • Recorded statements
  • Quick settlements
  • Signing anything

Contact a Detroit Hotel Injury Lawyer ASAP

The hotel already has a legal team. So should you. The sooner you call Marko Law, the sooner we can:

  • Secure evidence (like surveillance footage)
  • Interview witnesses
  • Stop the hotel from controlling the narrative

Contact Marko Law Today

You came to Detroit for a fresh start, a relaxing stay, or maybe just a good night’s sleep. Instead, you left with pain, trauma, and unanswered questions. Why wasn’t the hotel safe? Who’s going to cover my medical bills? What if I can’t work?

At Marko Law, we hear these questions every day—and we deliver real answers. When hotels cut corners on safety, when corporations hide behind fine print, and when insurers try to lowball your suffering, we step in. We investigate, litigate, and fight with everything we’ve got to hold negligent parties accountable.

Whether your injury occurred at a boutique hotel downtown, a national chain near the airport, or a casino resort just across the border, our team knows how to take these cases to court—and win.

📞 Call for your FREE case evaluation today:
1-833-MARKO-LAW or 1-313-777-7777

📍 Visit Our Detroit Office:
220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226

🌐 Online 24/7 at www.markolaw.com

Marko Law Will Give You A Voice

At Marko Law, we don’t just take cases — we take a stand. Whether you're facing an injury, injustice, or outright negligence, our team fights like it’s personal — because to you, it is.

  • Over $500 Million recovered for our clients
  • Proven track record in civil rights, personal injury & workplace justice
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  • Based in Detroit, trusted across Michigan


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