Is there a surefire way that hotels can prevent liabilities, and what steps can they take to ensure this? You have a client that runs a hotel or several hotels, and these are common questions they might face while still needing a solution. It is a common risk factor in most businesses, but hotels are especially prone to these legal hassles.
The good news is that insurance policies, primarily commercial packages, can help protect hotels from these threats. Even if a third party has a legitimate grievance and a liability suit prospers, there must be a day to protect the business and the owner’s personal assets.
Even if the hotel has liability insurance protection, it is preferable to manage potential risks to avoid being held liable for injury and damage.
How Hoteliers Can Safeguard Against Liabilities
Preventing liability is an ongoing task. Even with preventive measures in place, hoteliers must commit to improving conditions and educating their workers to avoid liability. Here are some tips for doing so:
Provide Ongoing Training: Safety training isn’t just part of the onboarding or orientation process. There should be appropriate training programs even for experienced and longtime employees. The goal is to ensure that safety and liability prevention is second nature to all hotel personnel.
Create Written Guidelines: Hotel managers should outline the company’s safety policies in the employee guidebook. There should be a more substantial effort to update documents periodically and incorporate new procedures.
Enforce Policies: Managers should do more than just create written policies. Enforcing company rules and guidelines is just as crucial for ensuring that employees take these to heart. Written procedures won’t protect a company if employees routinely ignore them or if there is proof of administrative negligence in court.
Institute Safety and Security Measures: Hoteliers must invest in safety and security equipment to ensure full protection against liability. Installing video cameras, training security personnel, performing background checks, and creating an emergency action plan are all practical measures for preventing accidents and preparing staff for unforeseen incidents.
Perform Periodic Risk Assessment: Hoteliers should consider hiring third-party experts to inspect the property and assess it for potential threats. Business owners may also request an occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) assessment.
Primary Risk Components For Hotels
Awareness and knowledge of the risk components would also benefit hotel owners. Negligence and liability suits filed against hotels typically involve the following components:
Duty of Care: This states that hoteliers are obliged to conform to laws and standard safety regulations mandated for the hotel industry.
Breach of Duty: For a lawsuit to prosper, the plaintiff should prove that the hotel breached duty of care. Evidence should also support the causal link with any injuries or damages incurred.
Proximate Cause: Plaintiffs should prove that the hotel owner’s negligence directly contributed to the injury.
Damages: Plaintiff should provide documents detailing monetary and other damages that the hotel owner should pay.
About Snyder Specialty
Snyder Specialty, LLC is a New York-based underwriting facility that provides a range of property and liability solutions for personal and commercial lines. Specializing in coastal properties and hard-to-place risks, Snyder Specialty expands your current capabilities with proven solutions for complex risks. Find out more about the company’s range of services by calling (718) 362-8039.
