Many people don’t realize that when they’re injured at an Airbnb or short‑term rental, the typical rules about premises liability still apply. As a Raleigh, NC personal injury lawyer, we often see situations where guests, not hosts, bear the initial assumption of safety. Some of our experience includes when we handled a personal injury case that went to trial and resulted in a $500,000 jury award. That experience guides how we advise clients about proving liability in Airbnb injury cases.
Who May Be Liable At An Airbnb
Liability isn’t automatic, but there are several potential defendants in a short‑term rental injury:
- The host or property owner who controls maintenance, inspections, and repairs
- The property management company or third‑party maintenance service
- The Airbnb platform itself, in certain limited circumstances, depending on its policies and any duty it undertakes
- A contractor whose negligence left a hazard
Airbnb’s own terms impose certain responsibilities on hosts (for example, to disclose hazards and maintain safe premises). But those terms alone don’t relieve a negligent host of liability under state law. If you’ve been injured and want to know if you have a personal injury case, we are happy to help get you started!
Proving Fault: What A Guest Must Show
To recover damages, a guest must show:
- The host or responsible party owed a duty to maintain safe premises
- They breached that duty (e.g. a loose rail, broken stair, faulty lighting)
- The breach caused the injury
- Actual damages (medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.)
Because many injuries at vacation rentals involve wear and tear, weather exposure, or delayed notice, establishing that the host either knew (or should have known) of the danger is crucial.
Steps To Take After An Injury
If you are injured at an Airbnb, here’s what you should do:
- Document everything immediately: take photos, videos, and preserve the condition as found
- Report the incident to the host and Airbnb, and preserve any communications
- Seek medical attention and follow through with recommended treatment
- Request maintenance records or inspection logs from the host, property manager, or Airbnb
- Contact a personal injury attorney early, as the right counsel can begin collecting key evidence before it disappears
By following these steps, you help ensure your claims will be supported by strong evidence, which increases the likelihood of proper compensation. By not following these steps, you open yourself to several common mistakes after a personal injury incident.
Special Issues In Airbnb Settings
Because short‑term rentals are often less regulated than hotels, documentation and condition reports can be less formal. That makes early action even more important. Also, many hosts rely on homeowners’ insurance or special short‑term rental policies, which may limit available compensation.
Another wrinkle: if the host leased the property themselves or was absent altogether (for example, a remote owner using a property manager), liability can be harder to pin down, especially if local or HOA rules play a role.
How Your Attorney Can Help
An attorney experienced in injury claims can:
- Evaluate all possible liable parties
- Retain specialists to inspect the property and reconstruct the hazard
- Demand and review maintenance or inspection logs
- Negotiate with insurers or, if needed, take the case to trial
- Protect your rights under time limits and procedural rules
Because Airbnb claims can involve multiple layers (host, insurer, platform), it’s critical to move quickly before evidence is lost or altered. In one matter we handled locally, Burton Law Firm was retained to represent a Raleigh, North Carolina man who was injured. We reached a settlement and obtained $100,000 on his behalf.
If you’ve been injured at a short‑term rental, you don’t have to assume the risks yourself, you may have a valid claim. With the right approach, many guests recover compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. We take a hands‑on approach at Burton Law Firm to advocate for guests injured in Airbnb or short‑term rental settings. If you or a loved one has experienced a personal injury, contact us today to evaluate your case.