Hotels owners are required by law to keep their hotel premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn guests about any hazards that are created by the hotel or are ongoing, such as wet floors or electrical work.

Premises Liability in Pittsburgh, PA

As in other buildings, the risk of fire in a hotel is always present in some form, although it is often small. A fire can be terrifying, but if you know what to do, you can fight panic and maximize your ability to protect yourself and others.

If a hotel fire occurs:

•         If you cannot get out safely, keep your hotel room door closed.
•         Call 911 and report your hotel’s name, location, and room number.
•         Use tape or wet towels and sheets to plug the areas around windows, vents, and doors.
•         Stay near the floor. Smoke accumulates in a room from the top downwards, so the freshest air will always be near the floor. Putting a damp cloth over your face can help you breathe as well, by filtering smoke in the air.
•         Fill the tub or sink with water. Turn on the bathroom vent fan to help clear smoke from the room.
•         Leave the window closed unless you must open it to get oxygen.
•         Unless you are on the first floor, don’t try to jump out through the window. Often, serious injuries and deaths occur in hotel fires not from the fire itself, but from attempts to jump from a window. Remember the falling rule of thumb: any fall of a distance longer than your body height will likely cause injury.

If you or a close family member have been seriously injured in a hotel fire, you may be able to seek compensation from the hotel. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and choose the best course of action for you.

Schedule a Consultation With a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer Today

The Law Office of Mark A Smith is dedicated to helping personal injury victims. To learn more, contact us via our online form or by calling 412-567-9598 – whichever is more convenient for you. Your initial consultation with our office is entirely confidential.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.