Did you know that over 55 million Americans use Airbnb every year? That’s a lot of people and a lot of revenue for the company. With such high demand, it should be no surprise that lawsuits have been filed against the company as well. One such suit was recently settled in which an American woman suffered an injury due to rat bites at an Airbnb property.

What kind of damage can you seek in an injury case?

Either personal injury or property damage depending on the type of accident that occurred. The party seeking damages must have been involved in some way, either as a victim or innocent bystander. If your injuries are severe enough to cause death then you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party.

Most people just want to know how much money they’ll be entitled to receive. That depends on a number of factors such as the severity and type of injury, whether or not you have health insurance coverage and if there were any pre-existing conditions that may affect the amount awarded.

Personal Injury Damages for Airbnb Injuries

When you file a personal injury claim, the amount is determined by calculating your financial loss. To do so, the court must have an understanding of how your life was affected following the accident. Some examples include:

  • Lost wages — If you missed work for any reason, including medical leave due to injury and/or lost future income due to diminished earning capacity then this is something that will be included.
  • Medical expenses — If you were injured and had to seek medical treatment, it gets factored in here.
  • Pain and suffering — This takes into account more than just your physical pain, but mental anguish as well. So even if there are no visible scars or bruises, you can still be entitled to this type of compensation depending on the damage you endured.

If your injury was severe enough, it may also entitle you to punitive damages. This means that the defendant is held accountable for his or her actions despite not directly committing the crime or offense. We all know firsthand how crazy Airbnb gets when it comes to its hosts, so it’s possible that somebody may have slipped through the cracks and created a high-risk environment.

The other option is to seek damages on behalf of your property. This generally includes fixing or replacing the damaged items as well as any loss in value due to depreciation. If you can show proof that the property was indeed damaged, then it would be up to the defendant to prove otherwise (such as having insurance).

Get Legal Assistance

If you or someone you know has been injured due to negligent actions, contact a personal injury lawyer today. Although the actual amount may vary depending on your situation, you will certainly get an idea of what to expect and how restitution can be pursued.

Now that we know the basics, be sure to check out your state’s guidelines for any specific requirements and regulations.