A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)

Hotel and Resort Injuries Lawyer in New Hyde Park

Local Injury Advocates

Your Guide to Hotel and Resort Injury Claims in New Hyde Park

If you or a loved one were injured at a hotel or resort in New Hyde Park, this page explains what steps matter and how a local personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process. Hotel and resort injury cases often involve multiple sources of responsibility, including property owners, contractors, vendors, and security providers. This guide outlines common causes of injury, what evidence to preserve, and how New York’s laws affect recovery. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. and the Ahearne Law Firm PLLC serve clients in Nassau County and can evaluate your situation, explain possible recovery paths, and help you take immediate actions to protect your rights.

Hotels and resorts are places where guests expect reasonable safety, and when that expectation is not met serious harm can result. Common incidents include trips and falls, swimming pool accidents, foodborne illness, inadequate security leading to assault, and injuries caused by poor maintenance or negligent contractors. Each type of incident raises different legal questions about notice, foreseeability, and responsibility. This section describes typical injuries and how claims are evaluated under New York law, including how evidence, medical records, witness statements, and property incident reports contribute to building a strong claim on behalf of an injured guest.

Why Legal Help Matters After a Hotel Injury

Navigating a hotel or resort injury claim without guidance can lead to missed deadlines, lost evidence, and undervalued settlements. Legal support helps ensure timely preservation of key proof such as incident reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements, and it provides a structured approach to communicating with insurers and responsible parties. An attorney can assess liability issues, calculate fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and advise whether negotiation or court action is the best path. Local familiarity with Nassau County courts and defense practices also helps in developing a strategy focused on the client’s recovery and long-term needs.

Overview of the Firm and Attorney Allan J. Ahearne, Jr.

Ahearne Law Firm PLLC represents injured people in the Hudson Valley and throughout Nassau County, offering dedicated personal injury representation for claims arising at hotels and resorts. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. focuses on helping clients pursue recovery for injuries caused by negligent property maintenance, inadequate security, and other unsafe conditions. The firm emphasizes clear communication with clients, thorough investigation of incidents, and practical guidance about medical care and claim options. If you were injured while visiting a hospitality property in or near New Hyde Park, our office can review the facts, explain potential legal remedies, and outline realistic next steps to protect your claim.

Understanding Hotel and Resort Injury Claims

Claims arising from injuries at hotels and resorts are usually grounded in premises liability and negligence principles. A property owner or operator must provide safe conditions for guests and take reasonable steps to address known hazards. Liability depends on whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to remedy it within a reasonable time. Factors such as whether the hazard was obvious, how long it existed, and whether the owner had notice from prior incidents will influence responsibility. This assessment often requires a careful review of maintenance records, policies, and witness accounts to determine if a property failed to meet its duty to guests.

Establishing a claim typically involves collecting medical documentation, photographing hazards, obtaining incident reports, and identifying witnesses who observed the event. Surveillance footage from the property can be critical but is often overwritten quickly, so prompt action is essential to preserve that evidence. Medical records and bills demonstrate the nature and extent of injuries, while employment records support claims for lost earnings. In some cases, expert opinion may be used to explain how an injury occurred or to evaluate standards of care for maintenance and security, and careful coordination with treating providers helps link treatment to the incident at the property.

Need More Information?

Key Terms and Glossary

Premises Liability

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and operators accountable when unsafe conditions on their property cause harm to guests. Under this concept, responsibility arises when the owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and did not take reasonable steps to fix it or warn visitors. The law examines whether the hazard was foreseeable and whether the property owner acted reasonably under the circumstances. In the hotel and resort context, premises liability covers a range of incidents including wet floors, broken fixtures, unsafe stairways, and hazardous pool areas, each evaluated by evidence of notice and mitigation efforts.

Duty of Care

Duty of care refers to the legal obligation property owners owe to people on their premises to act reasonably to prevent harm. For hotels and resorts, this duty includes maintaining common areas, providing adequate lighting, ensuring pools and recreational areas meet safety standards, and implementing reasonable security measures to protect guests. The specific obligations can vary depending on whether someone is a paying guest, a visitor, or a trespasser, but generally operators must address known hazards and warn of hidden dangers. Whether a duty was breached is determined by examining the actions a reasonable property owner would have taken under similar circumstances.

Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence is a legal rule that may reduce the amount of recovery if an injured person is found partially at fault for their own injuries. In New York, the court assesses the percentage of fault attributed to each party and adjusts the recoverable damages accordingly. For example, if a guest is found to share some responsibility for an accident, their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault. Understanding how comparative fault applies in a hotel or resort case requires reviewing the facts closely, including whether the hazard was obvious, whether the guest ignored warnings, and how both the property operator and the guest behaved leading up to the incident.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations is the legal time limit for filing a personal injury claim, and in New York ordinary negligence claims typically must be filed within three years from the date of injury. Missing this deadline can bar recovery in most cases, so prompt action is important. Certain claims against government entities may have different, often shorter, notice and filing deadlines that require immediate attention. Because timelines can be affected by factors like discovery of injury or ongoing treatment, consulting with counsel early helps ensure that all necessary claims are brought within the applicable periods and that evidence is preserved while it remains available.

PRO TIPS

Preserve Evidence Immediately

After an injury at a hotel or resort, preserve any physical evidence and document the scene promptly with photographs from multiple angles, showing the hazard and surrounding conditions so the context is clear. Request and obtain an incident report from hotel staff, record names and contact details of any employees or witnesses in writing, and if possible secure surveillance footage by notifying management in writing that you intend to preserve it. Acting quickly to collect this information helps prevent important proof from being lost or overwritten and supports a clearer reconstruction of how the injury occurred.

Seek Prompt Medical Care

Even if injuries seem minor at first, obtain a medical evaluation as soon as possible to document the connection between the incident and your injuries, and follow the recommended treatment plan so records reflect the extent of harm and the progression of recovery. Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and notes about pain, functional limitations, and changes in daily activities, as these documents are central to proving damages in a claim. Timely medical care also supports credibility with insurers and courts by clearly linking the incident at the property to the injuries you sustained.

Document Everything

Keep a detailed journal of symptoms, medical appointments, lost work time, and any communications with the property or insurers, including dates, times, and summaries of conversations so your recollection is preserved over time. Save receipts for expenses related to the injury, such as travel to appointments, prescriptions, and equipment, and scan or photograph paper documents to create reliable backups. Consistent documentation provides a chronological narrative that can strengthen your claim by demonstrating how the injury has affected daily life, finances, and future needs.

Comparing Legal Options After a Hotel Injury

When Full Representation Is Advisable:

Severe or Long-Term Injuries

When an injury results in significant medical treatment, long-term impairment, or ongoing care needs, pursuing full legal representation helps ensure the claim accounts for both immediate and future losses, including rehabilitation, assistive devices, and projected wage impacts. Complex medical issues often require coordination with treating physicians and independent medical opinions to demonstrate the full scope of harm, and representation can help prepare that documentation. Legal counsel can also help obtain appropriate valuations for non-economic losses such as pain and diminished quality of life to pursue fair compensation that reflects long-term consequences.

Complex Liability or Multiple Parties

Cases that involve more than one potentially responsible party, such as a hotel owner, a contracted maintenance company, and a vendor, require careful allocation of fault and claims against multiple insurance carriers to avoid undercutting recovery and to ensure claims are brought promptly against each responsible entity. Full representation helps coordinate investigations across parties, subpoena necessary records, and handle complex negotiations where insurers may disagree about responsibility. A coordinated legal approach reduces the risk of overlooking a liable party and helps structure claims so compensation addresses all aspects of loss.

When a Limited Approach May Be Sufficient:

Minor Injuries with Clear Liability

For relatively minor injuries where liability is obvious, such as a clearly unmarked wet floor and only modest medical treatment required, a limited approach that focuses on immediate documentation and direct negotiation with the insurer may resolve the matter efficiently without extended litigation. Even in these cases, clear records of medical treatment, bills, and any lost wages are necessary to support a settlement that fairly covers expenses. A limited approach can conserve time and expense, but it still requires attention to evidence preservation and careful evaluation to avoid accepting an offer that does not cover longer-term needs.

Simple Low-Value Claims

When injuries involve low medical costs and the damages are straightforward, pursuing a modest settlement directly may be appropriate, especially if the facts are straightforward and the insurer accepts responsibility quickly. In such situations, focusing on obtaining clear documentation and submitting a concise demand can often resolve the case without prolonged negotiations. However, even low-value claims benefit from an informed review to ensure medical billing codes and reports accurately reflect treatment so the settlement adequately reimburses out-of-pocket expenses and short-term losses.

Common Circumstances That Lead to Hotel and Resort Injury Claims

Slips and Falls on Property

Slips and falls in lobbies, corridors, stairways, and parking areas frequently occur when spills, uneven flooring, or poor lighting go unaddressed, and these incidents often produce sprains, fractures, and head injuries requiring prompt medical care and documentation. Establishing liability depends on showing the property had notice of the hazard or that conditions were maintained in an unsafe manner, and prompt preservation of photographs, incident reports, and witness accounts is essential for a successful claim.

Pool and Beach Accidents

Pool and beach accidents can result from inadequate lifeguard supervision, slippery decking, improper barriers, or unsafe equipment, and often lead to drowning, lacerations, or spinal injuries that require extensive medical treatment and sometimes long-term rehabilitation. Investigating these claims typically involves reviewing safety logs, staff training records, warning signage, and any rescue or incident reports to determine whether the property met accepted safety practices and responded appropriately to hazards.

Negligent Security and Assaults

When guests are harmed due to inadequate security, such as unsecured entrances, lack of lighting, or absence of trained security personnel, the property may be responsible for losses caused by third-party criminal acts if the threat was foreseeable and preventable. Claims of this type require careful gathering of incident reports, prior complaint records, and any communications that show the property was aware of recurring safety problems that created an unreasonable risk to guests.

New Hyde Park Personal Injury Attorney for Hotel Injuries

Why Choose Ahearne Law Firm for Hotel Injury Claims

Ahearne Law Firm PLLC focuses on helping individuals injured at hotels and resorts in New Hyde Park and across Nassau County, providing careful investigation and personalized attention to each claim. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. takes time to understand the client’s medical needs, financial losses, and recovery goals, working to preserve critical evidence and build a case that reflects all aspects of the harm suffered. The firm communicates clearly about options, anticipated timelines, and legal processes, helping clients make informed decisions while pursuing fair compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses caused by the injury.

From initial fact gathering through settlement discussions or litigation when necessary, the firm coordinates with medical providers, gathers maintenance and incident records, and identifies witnesses to support claims in a proactive manner. Clients receive guidance on documenting ongoing symptoms and expenses so their claims accurately reflect both current and future needs, and the office prioritizes responsiveness and practical advice tailored to the realities of Nassau County courts and local insurer practices. If you were hurt while staying at or visiting a hospitality property in New Hyde Park, contact the firm to discuss your situation and options.

Contact Us for a Case Review

People Also Search For

hotel injury lawyer New Hyde Park

resort injury attorney Nassau County

slip and fall hotel New Hyde Park

pool accident lawyer New York

premises liability attorney New Hyde Park

hotel negligence claim Nassau County

injured at resort claim New Hyde Park

Allan J. Ahearne personal injury

FAQS

What should I do immediately after a hotel or resort injury?

First, seek immediate medical attention so any injuries are properly diagnosed and documented, which helps both your health and your claim. Photograph the scene and the hazard from multiple angles, obtain names and contact information for staff and witnesses, and request a copy of any incident report the property prepares. Notify the property in writing that you were injured and preserve evidence by asking management to retain surveillance footage and maintenance logs. Early steps that create a clear record of the incident can make a significant difference in pursuing fair compensation. Next, keep careful records of all medical treatment, bills, and related expenses, as well as a journal describing your symptoms, limitations, and any changes to daily activities. If you must miss work, preserve documentation from your employer showing lost wages or reduced hours, and save receipts for out-of-pocket costs such as medications or transportation to appointments. Promptly consulting with an attorney experienced in premises claims can help ensure deadlines are met and that key evidence is preserved while it is still available.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New York?

In most New York personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury, which means you generally must file a lawsuit within that period to preserve the right to recovery. Certain exceptions and shorter deadlines can apply in special circumstances, and claims against government entities often have much shorter notice and filing requirements that demand immediate attention. Because missing the applicable deadline can permanently bar a claim, it is important to act without delay to protect legal rights and to preserve the option of filing suit if needed. Even before filing a lawsuit, taking swift action to collect evidence, obtain medical records, and notify potential defendants can strengthen a claim and support settlement negotiations. An early consultation can clarify which deadlines apply to your specific situation, whether any exceptions might extend the filing period, and what steps should be taken to keep claims viable. Timely preservation of evidence like surveillance footage and witness statements also reduces the risk that important proof will be lost over time.

Can I hold a hotel responsible for an assault on its premises?

A hotel may be held responsible for an assault on its premises if the assault was foreseeable and the property failed to provide reasonable security measures that could have prevented the harm, such as adequate lighting, functioning locks, or trained security personnel. Establishing foreseeability often requires showing prior similar incidents, complaints, or warnings that put the property on notice of a recurring danger. Records of prior incidents, reports made to management, and any warnings that were ignored can be important evidence in demonstrating that the hotel did not take appropriate steps to protect guests. Claims of negligent security typically involve an investigation into the property’s security policies, staffing levels, incident logs, and any communications about safety concerns. Photographs of poor lighting, broken locks, or unsecured access points, together with witness statements and police reports, help reconstruct what happened and whether the property had sufficient reason to implement safety measures. Where responsibility is established, injured persons may pursue compensation for medical treatment, emotional harm, and related losses tied to the assault.

What types of compensation are available in a hotel injury claim?

Compensation in a hotel injury claim can include economic damages such as medical expenses, property damage, prescription costs, and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and emotional distress when applicable. In cases where the injury results in long-term disability or diminished earning capacity, damages may also account for future medical needs and projected loss of income. The precise categories and amounts depend on the severity of the injury, the available evidence, and how clearly the harm can be tied to the incident at the property. To document economic damages, save all medical records, bills, repair invoices, and employment records showing missed work or reduced earnings. For non-economic losses, detailed journal entries about daily limitations and testimony from treating providers or family members can support claims of ongoing pain or impairment. A thorough presentation of both economic and non-economic losses helps ensure that a settlement or court award reflects the true effects of the injury on life and livelihood.

Will my case go to trial or can it be settled out of court?

Many hotel injury claims are resolved through negotiation and settlement without proceeding to a full trial, especially when liability is reasonably clear and the parties can agree on compensation for medical costs and related losses. Settlements can provide a quicker resolution and avoid the time and expense of trial, but they also require careful evaluation to ensure any offer sufficiently covers current and anticipated future needs. An informed review of medical prognosis, projected future costs, and the strength of the evidence helps determine whether a settlement is appropriate or whether litigation better protects long-term interests. If negotiations do not yield a fair result, filing a lawsuit preserves rights and can lead to a trial where a judge or jury decides the outcome. Litigation involves written discovery, witness depositions, expert testimony when necessary, and courtroom presentations, and its timeline can be longer and less predictable than settlement discussions. The decision to proceed to trial is weighed against potential recovery, client priorities, and the willingness of the other side to resolve the claim fairly through negotiation.

What if I was partially at fault for my injury?

If you are found to be partly at fault for an incident, the doctrine of comparative negligence may reduce the amount you can recover based on your percentage of responsibility. In practice, a jury or the parties will determine fault percentages for each side, and any damages awarded will be diminished by the injured person’s share of fault, which makes it important to present evidence that minimizes personal responsibility while highlighting the property owner’s role in creating or failing to correct the hazardous condition. Clear documentation and witness testimony often influence how fault is allocated. Comparative negligence does not automatically bar recovery unless your share of fault reaches a statutory threshold that applies in other jurisdictions, but New York follows a pure comparative negligence approach that allows recovery even if you bear significant responsibility, with your award reduced in proportion to your fault. Because each case is fact-specific, compiling strong evidence about the property’s notice of the hazard and the condition’s role in causing the injury helps counter arguments that shift blame to the injured person.

Do I need to worry about surveillance footage being erased?

Yes, surveillance footage is often recorded over after a matter of days or weeks depending on the system and storage practices, so it is important to request preservation of any relevant recordings as soon as possible. Sending a written preservation request to hotel management and following up promptly can help prevent footage from being erased, and early legal involvement can enable formal preservation efforts such as subpoenas when necessary. Without timely action, critical video proof of how an accident occurred can be lost, making reconstruction of the incident much harder. In addition to video, other time-sensitive evidence includes maintenance logs, shift reports, and witness contact information that may disappear or become unreliable over time. Prompt collection of these materials protects the integrity of a claim and provides a clearer factual record when negotiating with insurers or preparing for litigation. Acting quickly to preserve and secure evidence demonstrates the seriousness of the claim and reduces the risk that key information will be unavailable later.

How important are medical records to my claim?

Medical records are central to proving both the extent of your injuries and the connection between those injuries and the incident at the hotel or resort, documenting diagnoses, treatments, imaging studies, and recommendations for future care. Well-documented medical treatment provides a timeline that links the event to the harm, supporting claims for reimbursement of past medical costs and estimates of future needs, and can significantly influence settlement negotiations by giving insurers a concrete basis for valuation. Consistent follow-up care and adherence to treatment recommendations also strengthen the credibility of the claim. To maximize the usefulness of medical documentation, keep organized copies of records, test results, bills, and notes about symptoms and limitations, and advise each treating provider that your injuries are related to a specific incident so that records reflect that connection. If gaps in treatment exist, explain them clearly and provide supporting information about why care was delayed or interrupted. Detailed medical documentation helps ensure an accurate assessment of damages and supports a persuasive presentation of the claim.

Can I file a claim if the hotel is owned by a separate management company?

It is common for hotels to be managed by third-party companies or for ownership and operation to be split among different entities, and you may have claims against any party whose actions or omissions contributed to the injury. Identifying the correct defendants requires careful investigation of ownership, management agreements, and contracts for maintenance and security, because liability can extend to those who control property conditions or provide on-site services. Service contracts and vendor responsibilities can reveal additional parties who may share responsibility for hazards that caused an injury. Because the identity of liable entities affects insurance coverage and recovery options, preserving records and requesting maintenance, staffing, and incident logs early helps determine which parties should be named in a claim. Legal review can uncover contractual arrangements that assign operational duties and clarify who maintained the premises on the date of the incident, allowing claims to be properly directed to the entities with responsibility for preventing or addressing the hazardous condition.

How long does it typically take to resolve a hotel injury claim?

The time required to resolve a hotel injury claim varies widely depending on the complexity of injuries, whether liability is disputed, and the need for specialized medical or investigative evidence, with some matters settling in a few months and others taking a year or more if litigation becomes necessary. Factors such as gathering medical records, obtaining surveillance, securing witness statements, and evaluating future care needs influence the timeline, and disputes over fault or damages can extend the process beyond initial settlement discussions. Communication with insurers and the willingness of parties to negotiate also play a major role in how quickly a resolution is reached. When a case proceeds to litigation, additional steps including discovery, depositions, expert reports, and court schedules affect the duration, and unresolved cases may take several years to reach trial and judgment. Throughout the process, timely medical treatment and preservation of evidence help avoid unnecessary delays, while clear communication about settlement goals and priorities can streamline negotiations and potentially shorten the overall timeframe to a fair resolution.

Personal Injury Services in New Hyde Park

Explore our injury practice areas

⚖️ All Personal Injury Services