Legal Recourse for Injuries Sustained in Short-Term Rental Properties

Accidents in short-term rental properties can quickly turn a relaxing getaway into a stressful situation. Whether you’re staying at an Airbnb, VRBO, or another rental platform, determining who is responsible for injuries can be complex. Multiple parties – from the property owner to the rental platform, contractors, and even third parties – could potentially be held liable.

At The Law Firm of Chaile Allen, Chaile Allen can assess your claim and provide you with your legal options. Attorney Chaile Allen has the resources and in-depth knowledge to investigate the incident and gather the necessary evidence to seek justice. Using her community network of experts, she can strengthen your case by demonstrating how a property owner breached a standard of care and caused you to suffer injuries while you were staying on their premises.  

Who Is Liable for Short-Term Rental Property Injuries? 

Rental properties can offer a steady income for landlords while providing tenants with a comfortable place to live. However, accidents on these properties can create complex legal disputes regarding who is responsible for any injuries or damages. In Texas, various parties could potentially be held accountable in a rental property injury case, including the following:

The Landlord

As the property owner, landlords have the duty to keep the rental space safe for their tenants. This includes ensuring all safety measures are in place, such as working smoke alarms and secure locks. If the landlord neglects to address safety hazards, they may be liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

If your injury was caused by unsafe conditions, such as faulty wiring, broken stairs, or hazardous flooring, Chaile Allen will work hard to prove that the owner knew or should have known about the hazard and did not take reasonable steps to fix it.

Property Management Company

In instances where a landlord hires a property management company to oversee daily operations, both the landlord and the management company could share responsibility for accidents on the property. Liability depends on the specific terms outlined in their agreement, so landlords should be mindful of their contracts to understand their legal obligations.

Contractors

If an injury is caused by poor construction, cleaning service, or inadequate repairs, the contractor responsible for the work might be held liable. This can apply to contractors hired by either the landlord or the property management company to perform tasks such as maintenance or renovations.

Rental Platform 

Although rental platforms usually distance themselves from liability, some platforms provide host protection insurance that may cover certain injuries. It’s essential to review the platform’s policies and determine whether any coverage applies to your situation. However, pursuing a claim directly against the platform may be challenging unless you can prove that the platform contributed to the unsafe conditions.

Legal Options for Injuries Sustained in Short-Term Rental Properties

If you’ve been injured while staying in a short-term rental property, such as one from Airbnb or VRBO, you may have several legal avenues to pursue compensation, including a claim or lawsuit.

Rental platforms have a general duty to ensure that the listings they host are safe for occupants. This duty involves vetting the listings for overt safety risks and providing a system for guests to review and report potential safety issues. However, the extent of this duty may vary based on the terms of service agreements and the legal jurisdiction.

Direct liability in these cases occurs if the platform itself has negligently failed in its duty of care, such as by failing to remove a listing known to be unsafe. Indirect liability, on the other hand, means that while generally platforms are not directly responsible for the actions of property owners, they can be held indirectly liable if it can be shown that they contributed to the risk, for example, by endorsing a property despite known safety complaints.

Given the complexities surrounding platform liability, consulting attorney Chaile Allen, who has in-depth knowledge of premises liability law, is essential. She can assess the specifics of the case, interpret local regulations, and provide guidance on the feasibility of a lawsuit against a rental platform.

Why Choose The Law Firm of Chaile Allen for Rental Property Injury Claims?

Determining liability after an injury on a rental property can be complex. Attorney Chaile Allen has years of experience helping clients navigate these challenging cases. Her West Texas roots allow her to provide the local insight necessary to tackle each unique situation, ensuring you’re properly represented.

Chaile Allen is proud to be a community-focused lawyer, committed to protecting the rights of her clients. She works diligently to identify responsible parties and pursue the compensation you’re owed, whether the fault lies with the landlord, property manager, contractor, or another entity. For a free consultation, reach out to Chaile Allen today at (325) 670-9282 or through our contact form to discuss your case.