Posted on Friday, August 1st, 2025 at 6:53 am
Chicago’s skyline is filled with hotels that welcome millions of guests each year. From boutique accommodations in River North to large chains near McCormick Place and the Magnificent Mile, these spaces are expected to maintain a safe environment for everyone on the property. Unfortunately, not all hotel stays go as planned. When hotel guests are injured due to unsafe conditions, the legal path forward may involve a premises liability claim.
At Wallace Miller, we represent individuals who were seriously hurt in Illinois hotels. Whether your injury occurred in a hotel lobby, hallway, elevator, or room, our Cook County attorneys can help determine if the property owner failed to uphold their legal responsibilities. If so, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your losses.
What qualifies as a premises liability injury at a Chicago hotel?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions for visitors. In the case of a hotel, this responsibility extends to all common areas and guest rooms. Hotel operators must regularly inspect the property, fix known hazards, and provide warnings about potential dangers.
Injuries that may lead to a hotel premises liability claim include:
- Slips and falls on wet or poorly maintained floors.
- Broken handrails or loose stairs.
- Inadequate lighting in hallways or parking areas.
- Burns from malfunctioning appliances or water that is too hot.
- Elevator or escalator malfunctions.
- Bed bug infestations causing injury or illness.
- Assaults due to negligent hotel security.
If hotel staff or management were aware of a hazard and did not take steps to fix it, or if they failed to find a dangerous condition that they reasonably should have noticed through proper inspections, they may be held legally responsible for your injuries.
Understanding your rights as a hotel guest in Chicago
As a hotel guest, you are considered an invitee under Illinois premises liability law. This means that hotel owners owe you the highest duty of care. They must take proactive steps to protect you from foreseeable harm. This includes not only addressing existing dangers, but also anticipating risks that could develop through regular use of the property.
For example, if a hotel knows that a specific step near the lobby entrance is uneven and has caused past falls, they are required to fix the hazard or clearly warn guests. Failing to do so can make them liable for injuries that result.
Even if your injury occurred in your hotel room, you may still have a claim. Issues like faulty electrical wiring, broken furniture, or unclean conditions that lead to illness can all support a premises liability case.
How to document a hotel injury for legal purposes
If you are injured during a hotel stay, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your case.
Your health and safety should come first. Once you are able, consider the following:
- Seek medical care as soon as possible and keep all treatment records.
- Report the incident to hotel management and ask for a written incident report.
- Take photos of the scene, any visible hazards, and your injuries.
- Get contact information for any witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to the hotel’s insurance company without legal counsel.
Documentation helps establish how the injury happened, whether the hotel was aware of the danger, and what steps were taken (or not taken) after the incident.
At Wallace Miller, we help clients gather the necessary evidence to build strong premises liability cases against negligent hotel operators in Chicago and throughout Cook County.
Speak with a Chicago hotel injury lawyer today
No one expects to suffer a serious injury while staying at a hotel, but if it happens, you do not have to go through the legal process alone. Whether you live in Chicago or were visiting from out of town, Wallace Miller can help.
We understand how to pursue premises liability claims against hotels and are committed to protecting the rights of injured guests. To find out if you have a case, call 312-261-6193 or start your free case evaluation online today.