When you plan a vacation to one of California’s over 300,000 Air BNB rental properties, you are excited to have some time to relax, enjoy the surrounding attractions, and spend time with family and friends. Most renters are looking for a more personal and tailored experience compared to most hotels’ standard two beds and a bathroom. The added space and amenities mean you can enjoy cooking your meals, possibly even on a BBQ located on the patio near an al fresco dining area.
But all the excitement and fun ends abruptly when you suffer a burn injury during your Air BNB stay. Few injuries are more painful and challenging to manage than a burn. So your trip will likely be cut short after you seek medical care for the burn. But there are several essential things you need to understand before you pack up and head home. The Air BNB burn injury lawyers at Normandie Law Firm want you to realize that you have legal rights that need to be protected as the victim of a burn injury. And we are here to provide the expert legal services you need with no upfront fees to add to your stress and financial concerns. Please get in touch with our office today to learn more about how the Normandie team is here for you in your time of need and beyond.
Potential Burn Hazards In An Air BNB
When you plan a vacation, the last thing on your mind could be how you might get injured. Instead, you are thinking about activities, the perks of renting an Air BNB, and all the great memories you will create during your trip. But it is also essential to understand that safety is a must, even when on vacation. There are many ways that you or a loved one could be in harm’s way and end up leaving your holiday with a severe burn that could have a lifelong impact. Some of the potential fire hazards include:
- The stove, oven, and other cooking implements in the kitchen, such as an electric skillet, griddle, or instapot
- A wood-burning or gas fireplace in the Air BNB
- A wood stove or fireplace insert stove
- The hot water in a sink or shower
- A fire pit or fireplace in the outdoor living space
- A BBQ grill
- Fire torches used for evening lighting and ambiance
These are just some of the items you might have seen as great bonus features for your Air BNB until they malfunctioned and you suffered a severe burn. The expert Air BNB burn injury lawyers at Normandie Law Firm are here to help you understand how the owners of your Air BNB rental could be responsible for your burn injury and the cost of your medical care.
Understanding Burns And The Risk They Create
Most people have touched a hot pot or pan and felt a slight burn to their skin. It is uncomfortable, and sometimes the pain can last for a day or two. Hopefully, you never experience a severe burn. However, it is essential to understand the degree of various burns, what it means for you and your health, and how to know when medical care is required.
- First-Degree Burns – These are the least severe burns and involve damage to the surface layer of your skin. You could see redness and feel discomfort. But the injury will heal after a few days with the treatment of an antibiotic cream or ointment.
- Second-Degree Burns – A second-degree burn damages the first two layers of your skin. These burns result in redness, swelling, pain, and even blisters. The damage caused by these burns increases the potential for a severe infection. If you are unsure about caring for a blistered burn, seek medical care immediately to ensure that you reduce the potential for infection and other complications.
- Third-Degree Burns – These are the most severe burns you will ever endure. They burn all the layers of skin and can even damage the muscle and other tissue below the skin. You could experience severe blisters, charred skin, and open wounds. These burns often require surgery to close the wound with a skin graft. The other hazard is the high risk of an infection as the skin is open and damaged from the burn. Medical care is an immediate necessity as the victim will likely require IV antibiotics and fluids to prevent further complications.
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How Is The Air BNB Owner Responsible For Your Burn?
All property owners must maintain their property in a safe condition. In your case, the Air BNB owner must ensure that the property and all features are operating in a safe manner under premises liability laws. So if you were burned because the stove was unsafe and the flame blazed up around your hand when removing a pan, or the gas regulator in the BBQ was damaged, and a ball of flame rolled into your face as you lit the BBQ, you could have grounds for a lawsuit against the Air BNB owners.
There are three factors to consider when determining if a property owner was negligent in maintaining a property:
- If the owner knew about the issue and did nothing to fix it or warn guests of the hazard, they were negligent
- If the property owner actually created the hazard through neglect or faulty repairs, they are at fault
- If the property owner should have known about the issue through regular inspections or visits to the property, but they did not, then they are negligent
If any of the three points are met, then you have grounds for a premises liability case against the owners of the Air BNB where you suffered a burn. The team at DTLA Law Firm will advise you on the information you need to provide to file a strong case and secure the compensation you deserve.
How To Proceed After An Air BNB Burn Injury
Of course, medical care should always be your priority. However, once you know that you have proper care instructions and the necessary medication for the burn, you can focus on these other important matters.
- Take photos of your burns- try to get a before-treatment photo as well as after-treatment pictures throughout the healing process
- Take pictures of the area where the burn occurred as well as close-up images of the item that failed or malfunctioned to cause the burns, for example, the massive flame on the stove burner or the glowing red hot metal on the gas fireplace that caused your burns
- Get written statements from any witnesses of the incident
- Contact the Air BNB owner or manager to report the incident and your injury
- Reach out to Normandie Law Firm for advice on how to move forward in filing a lawsuit to recover your losses
How Long Will The Settlement Process Take?
There is never a precise timeline for a lawsuit. Many factors will influence the time required to reach a settlement agreement, including the severity of your burns and recovery time, the court system’s workload, and the actions of the Air BNB owner. However, the team at Normandie Law Firm will work diligently to move the case forward as quickly as possible to secure your settlement. Please keep in mind that the Statute of Limitations on an injury is two years. So you have only two years from the date of the injury to file your claim.
How Much Will The Settlement Be?
Much like determining the time frame of a lawsuit, the amount of your settlement will depend on several things, including:
- The amount of your medical bills
- Any lost wages during your recovery or missed work due to medical appointments
- Pain and suffering
- Legal fees
The Normandie Law Firm will assist you in determining the total amount of your losses to ensure your settlement includes all applicable expenses.
No Fees Out Of Pocket
The professionals at Normandie Law Firm know that you are facing many challenges after suffering a burn at an Air BNB. Our intention is to help you get through these difficult times without adding stress or worry. We offer our expertise and guidance with no upfront fees to our clients because we believe everyone deserves expert legal representation, regardless of their ability to pay. We only get paid after we have secured your settlement.
In addition, if another law firm has informed you that you have no legal recourse, be sure to get in touch with our office as soon as possible. Our seasoned Air BNB burn injury lawyers will review the facts of your incident and provide a recommendation on moving forward with a lawsuit against the Air BNB owners or other options. We understand that you need reliable answers to your questions and solutions to help you pay your medical bills and get back to your normal life and job. We are here to help in every way we can and ensure justice is served for all Air BNB burn injury victims.
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