Tripadvisor is a travel booking site that’s based on user-generated content, like reviews, photos, and videos. People can connect with other travelers and book flights, travel packages, and lodgings right through the website or phone app. Due to its interactive nature, Tripadvisor is a very popular site throughout the world, but they’ve also had their share of controversies. These include fake reviews, misleading information, and cover ups of accidents and criminal activities at certain hotels.
Such actions have serious consequences, like accidents that can kill or injure guests if they’re at an unsafe property. Certainly, the hotel would be responsible for your injuries if the accident was caused by an act of negligence or misconduct. But can you also sue Tripadvisor for the harm you’ve suffered at a hotel, motel, or resort that was booked on their platform? More specifically:
- Are they liable for an accident or injury in a hotel or resort?
- Can I sue Tripadvisor for injury if I booked a hotel or motel room through them?
- How can I file a lawsuit against Tripadvisor for a hotel accident?
- What kind of damages can I recover from a lawsuit against Tripadvisor?
Below is some helpful information that will give you insight into these issues. However, you will need to speak with one of our attorneys if you have specific questions about your own accident at a hotel, motel, or resort. To learn about your rights and legal options, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
Accidents at a Hotel Booked Through Tripadvisor
The potential for an accident is high at hotels, resorts, and motels, where guests may be exposed to countless hazards. The good news is, most accidents are preventable through regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance. Security measures are important as well, like surveillance cameras and bright lighting in dark and secluded areas. If hotel management and staff fail in their duty of care to those on their property, there may be injuries from any one of the following accidents:
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Being hit with falling objects
- Electrocution injuries (electric shock, burns, fires)
- Broken / defective furniture
- Tub / shower accidents
- Broken toilet accidents
- Broken AC (heat stroke, dehydration, etc.)
- Drowning (hotel pool, hot tub, etc.)
- Gym / fitness center accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Escalator injuries
- Collapsing ceiling / roof
- Golf cart accidents
- Food poisoning
- Parking lot / garage accidents
- Bed bug bites / infections
- Robbery
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
No matter what type of accident you’ve suffered, legal advice is critical to securing the funds that are needed for your recovery. Our lawyers are standing by to answer your questions and ensure that you are properly compensated by the responsible parties, which may include Tripadvisor. For more information, give us a call and speak to an experienced hotel liability attorney.
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Controversy over Tripadvisor Deleting Reviews with Allegations of Criminal Activity
In 2017, reports surfaced of Tripadvisor deleting reviews from travelers who alleged serious criminal activity at various resorts in Mexico. These include over 12 incident of rape, going back as far as 2010. One sexual assault involved a hotel security guard, and the victim was assured by hotel staff that they would contact the authorities. The hotel failed to follow through on their promise, prompting the victim to post warnings on Tripadvisor so that others could be spared of her ordeal.
The reviews were initially deleted by Tripadvisor, but the victim bravely fought back and had her reviews reinstated. Another woman had her review deleted when she reported that she was raped by a massage therapist while staying at a resort in the same area as the first victim. Again, we know of at least 12 such incidents. It’s scary to think how many more victims are out there, who were too scared to go public with their stories. Unfortunately, laws governing third party aggregators was at the beginning stages when these complaints were initiated. We’ve come a long way since then, and there are ways we can go after sites like Tripadvisor when they are negligent in their duty of care to their users.
If you were injured at a hotel or resort that was booked on Tripadvisor, it’s essential to explore all your legal options and fight for the full value of your losses. To learn more about the actions you can take, give us a call and speak to a third party liability lawyer.
What should I do if I was Injured during a Hotel Stay?
Taking the right steps after an accident is the best way to protect your rights as a hotel injury victim. Here are the actions we recommend in the moments right after your accident:
- Get medical treatment regardless of how you feel. You may be okay in the beginning, but many injuries get worse or develop into other conditions without medical intervention. You will also need a medical report as proof of your injuries in order to sue for damages,
- If you’re in severe pain, bleeding a lot, or have other serious injuries, call 911 for an ambulance. Also, please call 911 or the police if you’re the victim of a crime such as robbery or sexual assault. A police report can substantiate your claim for criminal prosecution and monetary damages, which you can pursue at the same time.
- Take pictures or video of your injuries, or ask someone to help you if you are seriously injured. If you can, try to get statements from witnesses or ask for their contact information. You should also keep an eye out for security cameras that may have footage of your accident.
- Report your accident to someone in charge, like the hotel manager, so that an accident report can be filed. If your injuries don’t seem that serious, you can do this before you go to the hospital. Make sure to get a copy of the report before you leave, and avoid signing anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- You must also report the accident to Tripadvisor by calling them at 1-855-785-9714. You can also direct message the company by clicking on the message icon on your profile page. However, hotel accidents are complex and serious matters, so it may be best to speak with someone directly.
- Find legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney.
That last step is particularly important when you’re dealing with Tripadvisor, which doesn’t have the best reputation of taking customer complaints seriously. Just go online and you’ll find plenty of posts that talk about unhelpful representatives, declined reviews due to negative information about a hotel, and repeated complaints that go absolutely nowhere. Our lawyers have methods for getting hold of the right people and making sure that your rights are represented.
Liability for Accidents at a Hotel, Motel, or Resort
When a company is liable for an accident, it means they directly or indirectly caused the accident through an act of negligence or misconduct. Obviously, the hotel itself is liable if someone is injured on their premises. But what if the hotel, motel, or resort was booked through a travel aggregator like Tripadvisor? What if Tripadvisor knew about or should have known about the potential for an accident at a property that’s listed on their website? Are they responsible for accidents or injury in a hotel or resort?
Can I Sue Tripadvisor for Injury during Hotel Stay if I Booked a Hotel Room Through Them?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue Tripadvisor if you were injured at a hotel, motel, or resort that you booked through them. First and foremost, you would have to show that they committed an act of negligence, like deleting reviews that warned others of dangerous conditions at a hotel. Such hotels should be removed from the site, or at least suspended from the site while the claims are being investigated. These are basic and reasonable actions that Tripadvisor can take to ensure the safety of their users.
As for the excuse that they are just a third party platform and not the actual hotel? That’s an unacceptable argument when guests are charged booking fees of 8 to 16% of the rental price. As Tripadvisor is directly profiting from their users, the company is responsible for taking certain measures to ensure their safety.
How can I Sue Tripadvisor for a Hotel – Motel Accident Injury?
Generally, a hotel injury lawsuit against Tripadvisor involves third party liability, meaning that they are indirectly responsible for causing harm to someone that booked a room through their website. Proving the indirect party’s degree of responsibility is incredibly challenging, and even more so when they involve online platforms. Our lawyers have extensive experience in lawsuits against websites and apps, and know what it takes to secure a victory in these cases. To ensure that you recover the damages you’re entitled to, contact out office and schedule a free case evaluation.
Monetary Damages from a Lawsuit against Tripadvisor
As the victim of an accident at a hotel, you can seek a variety of damages that are based on your injuries and personal circumstances. A lawsuit against Tripadvisor can help you recover:
- Medical expenses to treat your injuries
- Future medical costs for on-going treatments, medications, etc.
- Lost wages for time missed from work
- Lost earning capacity if you are disabled
- Pain and suffering for emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Tragically, hotel accidents like slip and falls, heat exhaustion, and drowning can also result in fatality. If you are a family member or loved one of a hotel accident victim, you can also seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. This is a legal action that will cover the costs associated with a loved one’s untimely death, which include:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical bills left behind by the decedent
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages that the decedent would have earned
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of benefits (retirement savings, healthcare, etc.)
- Legal fees
Please take some time to speak with one of our attorneys about each of these damages and how they apply to your case. We will go after the responsible parties and bring you every penny of the settlement you deserve
Speak to a Hotel Injury Lawsuit Attorney
When travel booking sites were introduced online, they enjoyed many privileges, including the right to deny responsibility for injuries and deaths on the properties that were listed on their website. But negligence and misconduct by Tripadvisor have laid the foundation for lawsuits involving travel booking sties, as well hotels, motels, and resorts. However, making a strong case for damages is a challenging process, which is why it’s essential to retain an experienced attorney.
The attorneys of Normandie have many years of experience with complex hotel liability cases, including lawsuits with third party liability. We will go after the hotel, Tripadvisor, and any other liable entities, and fight for the full range of damages you are entitled to. Most importantly, we will never burden you with the cost of legal services, which is not your responsibility when you are an accident victim. With our Zero fee guarantee, all our costs are paid by the parties you are suing, and that’s only if we win your case.
Our attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. Contac our law firm and schedule a free consultation as soon as you can.
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