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Personal Injuries: Basic Knowledge For You


Injured At A Short-Term Vacation Rental In A Private Home? You May Have Some Detective Work To Do

If you've been traveling and staying at private vacation rentals that you find through homestay services, and you've been injured, your route to reimbursement may not be straightforward. These services are much different from hotels and motels in that they foist a lot of responsibility onto the person who owns the property, rather than on the company itself. If you need to get reimbursed for medical costs incurred during your visit, you may have to do some searching to find out just who is supposed to pay -- if anyone pays at all.

Who's at Fault

The obvious place to start is by looking at fault, mainly because that can answer a lot of questions up front. If you did something that was against house rules and got injured, or if you were warned by the host about something and ignored what he or she told you, you're the one who's going to have to handle your own bills, minus anything your own insurance decides to cover.  

However, if the host didn't warn you about dangers around the home that he or she knew about (these would be non-obvious dangers like the host knowing about rattlesnake nests hidden under a shrub, rather than common-sense issues like you not juggling sharp steak knives with your bare hands), and you were injured as a result, then the host would be liable. But that may not get you immediate reimbursement.

Insurance Runaround

Insurance can be a problem. If you don't have travel insurance that covers staying at one of these homes, you might think the host's insurance covers you, or at least the rental service's insurance. But these rentals are often considered businesses, and home-based insurance may not cover these. The rental service, depending on its terms, may not cover injuries either, even if your role was totally innocent. Some services have begun offering secondary insurance to cover these incidents, but, as the name implies, the insurance is meant to supplement other insurance.

Off to Court

If the liability lies or may lie with the host, you may have to resort to going to court. However, don't file suit on your own, even in small claims court, without talking to a personal injury lawyer, like Jack W Hanemann, P.S., first. These rentals and the issue of injuries and liability have become a confusing issue marred by terms full of legalese and precedents set by other cases. A good personal injury lawyer can help you sort through all of the previous cases and legal documents to see if your case will have a chance of winning.

About Me

Personal Injuries: Basic Knowledge For You

I have worked as a legal office assistant for about 20 years. The office specializes in personal injury claims, and many clients are looking for settlements. I have great compassion for the individuals I see, and most people are looking for money to pay their bills. Unfortunately, insurance claims are difficult and clients often file the wrong paperwork. They don't see many doctors due to costs, and settlement offers are generally low. I know that lawyers can help to raise claims substantially. They know the law and they can offer advice to clients so good results are seen. I want you to learn some basic information about personal injuries, insurance settlements, and the general claims process. Your rights and needs are important, but it's difficult to secure a settlement if you know nothing about the law. Gain some knowledge today, so your personal injury decisions are the right ones.

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