Hotel & Motel Injuries
Hotel and Motel Injuries in Michigan: When Your Temporary Home Becomes a Hazard
Hotels and motels owe their guests a duty of care from the moment they check in until the moment they leave. You're paying for a safe room, safe common areas, safe parking, and safe facilities. When a hotel fails to maintain its property — when you slip on a wet lobby floor with no warning sign, fall down poorly lit stairs, get assaulted in an unsecured parking lot, get burned by scalding water from a defective faucet, or get sick from a bed bug infestation — the hotel is liable for its negligence.
At Koussan Law, I represent hotel and motel injury victims across Michigan. These cases fall under premises liability law, and hotels owe the highest duty of care to their guests because guests are invitees — people present on the property at the hotel's express invitation for the hotel's commercial benefit. That highest duty of care means the hotel must actively inspect for hazards, not just fix the ones they happen to notice.
Common Hotel Injury Scenarios
Slip and falls are the most common: wet pool decks, freshly mopped lobbies without signage, icy walkways, defective stairs, and bathroom surfaces without adequate non-slip treatment. Negligent security claims arise when guests are assaulted, robbed, or sexually assaulted due to inadequate locks, broken security cameras, poor lighting, or failure to employ security personnel in high-crime areas. Bed bug infestations cause physical injury (bites, allergic reactions, secondary infections) and significant emotional distress. Carbon monoxide exposure from defective HVAC systems. Elevator and escalator malfunctions. Food poisoning from on-site restaurants. Swimming pool accidents including drowning from lack of lifeguards or defective drain covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What duty of care does a Michigan hotel owe its guests?
The highest duty under Michigan premises liability law. Hotel guests are invitees, meaning the hotel must take affirmative steps to make the premises safe — not just warn of known dangers, but actively inspect for and remedy hazards. This includes maintaining the physical property, providing adequate security, ensuring fire safety compliance, and keeping rooms free from infestations and health hazards. The duty extends to all areas guests have access to: rooms, lobbies, hallways, parking areas, pools, restaurants, and fitness centers.
Q: Can I sue a hotel chain or just the individual property?
It depends on the hotel's ownership structure. Many hotel "brands" (Marriott, Hilton, IHG) are franchise operations — the property is owned by an independent franchisee who licenses the brand name. I pursue both the franchisee (property owner/operator) and the franchisor (brand company) when the franchisor exercises sufficient control over safety standards, property conditions, and operations. The franchisor's involvement can add a defendant with deeper insurance coverage.
Q: I was bitten by bed bugs at a hotel. Do I have a case?
Yes, if the hotel knew or should have known about the infestation. Bed bug infestations don't appear overnight — they develop over time and leave visible evidence (fecal spots, cast skins, live bugs) that housekeeping staff should detect during regular room inspections. Prior guest complaints about bed bugs are powerful evidence of notice. Damages include medical treatment for bites and infections, replacement of infested personal property, and emotional distress — which can be significant given the psychological impact of a bed bug infestation.
Q: What is the statute of limitations for a hotel injury claim in Michigan?
Three years from the date of injury under MCL § 600.5805. Evidence preservation is critical — hotel surveillance footage, maintenance logs, housekeeping records, and guest complaint records are all controlled by the hotel and can be destroyed if not preserved through a timely demand letter. Contact an attorney immediately after a hotel injury.
