Common Causes of Vacation Injuries and How to Pursue Claims
Everyone deserves a break. You plan your getaway for months, saving up money and dreaming of relaxation. Whether you are heading to the vineyards in Northern California or the sunny beaches of the south, the last thing on your mind is a trip to the emergency room.
Unfortunately, accidents happen when we least expect them. When they occur far from home, they can leave you feeling stranded, confused, and worried about the cost of medical bills.
At G. Aldrich Law, we step in when your leisure time turns into a legal battle. Led by Attorney George Aldrich, we bring a fighter’s spirit and a practical approach to every case. Attorney Aldrich has a unique background; he is an Army veteran and a former salesman who turned to law to help people.
This mix of discipline and real-world experience sets us apart. We know how to talk to people, but we also know how to stand our ground against insurance companies.
If you are injured while on vacation, you need someone who knows the local courts and laws. At G. Aldrich Law, we represent clients in Lakeport and Woodland Hills, California, as well as in Lake County, Los Angeles County, Colusa County, Riverside County, and the surrounding counties of Northern and Southern California.
Where Vacation Injuries Usually Happen
When you are in “vacation mode,” your guard is often down. You assume the places you visit are safe. Sadly, property owners and tour operators sometimes cut corners on safety. We see several common scenarios where injuries occur.
Hotel and Resort Accidents
Hotels are your home away from home, but they can be hazardous if not maintained properly. Slip-and-fall accidents are common in lobbies, especially on marble or tile floors. Pool areas are another danger zone.
If a hotel fails to mark wet surfaces, fix broken railings, or secure pool gates, it can be held liable for your injuries. We also see cases involving defective furniture in rooms, such as collapsing chairs or beds, leading to back and neck trauma.
Rental Car and Rideshare Crashes
Most vacations involve some form of travel. Whether you rent a car to drive up the coast or rely on rideshare apps to get around Los Angeles, you are at risk on the road.
Accidents in a rental car can get messy fast. You have to deal with your own insurance, the rental company’s coverage, and the at-fault driver’s policy. It gets confusing quickly.
Adventure and Recreational Activities
California offers amazing opportunities for adventure, from jet skiing in Riverside County to hiking in the north. However, many tour operators ask you to sign waivers before you participate.
While these businesses want you to think you have signed away all your rights, that is not always true. If an operator acts with gross negligence—like giving you broken equipment or failing to provide basic safety instructions—you may still have a valid claim.
Food Poisoning at Restaurants
Trying new food is one of the best parts of travel. But severe food poisoning is more than just a stomachache; it can land you in the hospital with dehydration and serious illness.
Restaurants have a duty to serve safe food. If they fail to maintain hygiene or storage practices, they are responsible for any resulting illness.
Steps to Take Immediately After an Injury
The moments after an accident are chaotic, especially in an unfamiliar city. However, the actions you take right then can make or break your future claim.
Seek medical attention: This is your first priority. Do not tough it out just because you don't want to ruin the trip. Go to a local urgent care or hospital. This creates an official medical record linking your injury to the accident.
Document everything: In the smartphone age, gathering evidence is easier than ever. Take photos of the hazard that caused your injury (the wet floor, the broken stairs, the crashed car). Take photos of your visible injuries. Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened.
Report the incident: If you are at a hotel, theme park, or restaurant, notify the manager immediately. Ask them to file an incident report and to request a copy. Do not sign anything they give you other than the report itself. Do not admit fault or say things like, “I’m clumsy.”
Keep your receipts: Vacations are expensive, and injuries make them even more so. Keep records of every extra expense: medical copays, taxi rides to the doctor, extra nights at the hotel if you couldn't fly home, and the cost of the trip days you missed.
Understanding California Laws on Vacation Injuries
Since we operate in California, your claim will generally be governed by California law, even if you live elsewhere. There are specific statutes that will affect how we handle your case.
The Statute of Limitations
In California, you do not have unlimited time to file a lawsuit. Under the California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim against a private party. If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to compensation.
There is a major exception: if your injury involves a government entity—such as tripping on a broken sidewalk maintained by the city or being hit by a city bus—the timeline is much shorter. You typically have six months to file an administrative claim. This is why you need to team up with an attorney as soon as possible.
Comparative Negligence
California follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This is actually good news for plaintiffs. It means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages.
For example, imagine you slipped by the pool. The court might find that the hotel was 80% at fault for failing to clean up a spill, but you were 20% at fault because you were running. In this scenario, you can still sue, but your compensation will be reduced by your 20% of fault. We work hard to minimize any fault attributed to you to maximize your recovery.
Premises Liability
California law requires property owners to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors. This concept is known as premises liability.
To win these cases, we must prove the owner knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn you about it. This applies to hotels, Airbnb rentals, theme parks, and restaurants.
Personal Injury Attorney Serving Woodland Hills, California
At G. Aldrich Law, we care deeply about the legal issues weighing on you and the recovery path ahead. We are here to explain your options clearly and fight for the best possible result.
Attorney George Aldrich leads our firm with a distinct perspective. As an Army veteran and former salesman-turned-lawyer, he has served California communities since 2008. We bring that unique background to every case we accept. If you have been injured while on vacation, call our office to schedule a consultation.