Short Term Rental Lawyer

Our Short Term Rental Lawyers Fight for Justice for Tenants Enduring Catastrophic Injury

When dealing with the complex laws surrounding liability for short-term rentals, seek out the legal guidance of the team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. Our attorneys offer our services across the United States through seven offices staffed by experienced professionals who have recovered more than $450 million for our clients.

Four of these attorneys have been named to the “Best Lawyers” ® in America, and our law firm has been annually recognized in the “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report since 2016.

Because of the less regulated nature of short-term rentals, many people find themselves worried that they have no recourse following a serious injury when staying at a rental property through Airbnb, VRBO, or other similar companies.

Fortunately, with an attorney at your side, you have the guidance and legal support you need to file a lawsuit for the damages you have suffered when using short term rental services. Here is what you can expect when you need legal assistance for injuries sustained on these rental properties.

Who Is Liable for Injuries in a Short-Term Rental?

Following your vacation rental through Airbnb or VRBO, you may be thinking that your best course of action is to file a lawsuit against those companies. For most cases, renters are businesses like hotels, resorts, and cruises, with host protection insurance or business insurance. How do you determine fault when the rental unit is a private home?

These renting companies may not be liable in a legal suit. That is because they position themselves as middlemen or a hosting platform between you and the actual owner of the rental. That can help them avoid rules around tenant regulations and keep them at a low risk of being held legally responsible.

Because of this, short-term rental lawsuits are typically filed against the property owner, who is legally obligated to ensure that the premises are reasonably safe for guests under state premises liability laws. Because of this, you and your attorney with our firm will need to identify the actual owner so that you can take legal action.

When Are Airbnb or VRBO Owners Liable for injuries?

When staying in a short-term rental property, you should be able to expect the owner to ensure that the property you are staying on is as reasonably safe as possible. They have a duty to maintain this property in order to meet reasonable standards of care for guests and visitors.

Unfortunately, the property manager or owner may not have ensured that the property was as safe as possible for guests. Below are a few situations where you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the short-term rental owner:

• Uneven flooring
• Fire hazards
• Structural damage or collapse
• Faulty carbon monoxide detectors
• Loose or broken stairs
• Inadequate security
• Dilapidated balconies

Insurance Coverage for Short-Term Rentals

Pursuing a large company may feel daunting, but filing a lawsuit against an individual comes with its own challenges, including the worry that they may be unable to pay for the lawsuit. However, these property owners are typically not paying out of pocket for these court costs and your compensation.

Rental companies like Airbnb and VRBO typically require property owners to carry a certain amount of insurance. Typically, this liability insurance covers up to $1 million in recovery costs, per Airbnb’s terms of service. However, their personal insurance may be expected to first reach its limits for liability coverage.

On top of this issue, you may have difficulty getting a settlement from the insurance company at all. These are for-profit businesses, and without legal support on your side, it can be difficult to hold them accountable for the damages you are due following an accident. Fortunately, if they fail to compensate you, you may have grounds to take your claim to court.

Compensation for a Short-Term Rental Injury

When pursuing compensation following a short-term rental accident, you may need financial compensation for your economic and non-economic needs. It is also vital that you keep both your present and future costs in mind, as you may need to estimate these future expenses to ensure you have the coverage you need as your injuries continue to impact your life.

Below is a sample of the economic and non-economic damages that our attorneys have helped their clients succeed in pursuing:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

Our team can offer the legal help you need to recover damages for these situations. If you rented a property for a short time and you or your small children were injured, we can help you decide what damages to pursue, for example, and take your case to court.

Short-Term Rental FAQ

When you were injured in a short-term rental, you may feel lost and unsure where to begin with your case. These cases may not be as straightforward as cases of hotel or other short-term vacation rentals legal disputes, especially because these types of rentals are much newer.

Our team of attorneys stays up to date with all adjustments to current law on these situations, so that we can better serve our clients. Talk to your attorney about the case-specific questions you have, or and check out our FAQ below while you wait.

 

Your Short-Term Rental Injury Lawyer Can Help You Demand Just Compensation for Your Suffering

When you have been injured in a short-term rental, our team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. has your back. With 16 personal injury attorneys ready to assist our clients, no matter how complex the case, you can expect results from our team. We have won more than $450 million for our clients and have been awarded countless accolades for the results we seek for our clients.

Following an injury in a short-term rental, you may feel overwhelmed with the process of filing a lawsuit, identifying the at-fault party, and getting the coverage you deserve following your accident. When this happens, a short-term rental lawyer can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you are due for your injuries.

When you are ready to speak with an attorney, simply reach out for a free consultation. We can be reached by calling 877-233-1238 or by filling out our online contact form.