Injuries in Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Properties: What You Need to Know

The popularity of short-term rental properties such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar platforms has completely transformed the way people travel and stay. These rentals often promise the comfort of home and the excitement of a unique experience. Yet behind the appealing photos and friendly listings lies an important legal question: What happens when a guest is injured on one of these properties?

At Arshakyan Law Firm, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have represented countless clients throughout Southern California who were injured due to unsafe conditions in short-term rentals. From broken stairs and missing smoke detectors to dangerous pools and electrical hazards, these cases involve complex issues of property ownership, liability, and insurance.

This comprehensive guide explains how accidents happen, who may be responsible, and what steps you should take to protect your rights if you or a loved one are injured in an Airbnb or short-term rental.

Understanding Short-Term Rental Accidents

Short-term rental accidents can range from minor injuries to catastrophic events. Unlike hotels, which are strictly regulated and inspected for safety, many vacation rentals are operated by private individuals who may not follow the same standards.

Common causes of short-term rental injuries include:

Slip and fall accidents due to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or broken tiles.
Defective stairs or balconies, including loose handrails or structural decay.
Fire hazards caused by faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors, or blocked exits.
Swimming pool injuries such as drownings or slips around wet decks.
Carbon monoxide poisoning from old or unventilated heating systems.
Dog bites or animal attacks when hosts allow pets on the property.
Falling objects or collapsing furniture, especially in poorly maintained homes.

Many of these accidents result in serious or even life-altering injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, burns, and emotional trauma. When negligence plays a role, victims have the right to pursue compensation.

Who Is Liable for an Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Injury?

Determining liability in these cases can be complicated because multiple parties may share responsibility.

The Property Owner or Host

The owner of the property has a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for guests. Under California premises liability law, property owners must correct or warn about dangerous conditions that they know, or should know, exist. Failing to fix a broken stair, ignoring a leak that causes mold, or not installing proper lighting can all be considered negligence.

The Management Company or Cleaner

Some hosts hire management companies or cleaning services to oversee the property. If those companies fail to inspect, repair, or warn about hazards, they can also be held responsible.

The Short-Term Rental Platform (e.g., Airbnb or Vrbo)

Platforms like Airbnb typically argue that they are only intermediaries connecting hosts and guests. However, in some situations, they may share partial liability, notably if they failed to remove a property with repeated safety complaints or misrepresented the safety of a listing.

Third-Party Contractors

If a maintenance company, electrician, or pool service performed faulty work that caused an injury, they may also be part of the claim.

At Arshakyan Law Firm, our attorneys conduct detailed investigations to identify every responsible party, ensuring that victims pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.

Airbnb’s “Host Protection Insurance” – What It Really Covers

Airbnb promotes a program called Host Protection Insurance (HPI), which claims to provide up to $1 million in liability coverage per incident. While this may sound reassuring, the policy has significant limitations and exclusions.

For example:

It may not cover injuries resulting from intentional acts, mold exposure, or certain structural defects.
It generally covers third-party claims against the host, not direct claims by guests.
There are often disputes over whether the property owner’s negligence triggered coverage.

Victims should never assume that Airbnb will automatically pay for medical expenses or lost wages. An experienced Los Angeles Airbnb injury attorney can review the policy language, handle communications with insurers, and pursue all available claims—including those against the host’s homeowner or renter insurance.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Accident

If you were injured in a short-term rental property, taking the right steps early can protect your health and strengthen your legal case.

Get Medical Attention

Your safety comes first. Even if your injuries seem minor, visit an emergency room or urgent care facility. Some internal injuries and head trauma are not immediately obvious. Keep all records, bills, and doctor’s notes.

Document the Scene

Take clear photos and videos of the hazardous condition that caused your injury. Capture the area, any broken equipment, warning signs (or lack thereof), and lighting conditions.

Report the Incident

Notify both the property owner or host and the rental platform (such as Airbnb). Provide a written description of what happened, but avoid making statements that could later be used against you.

Collect Evidence

Save all communication with the host, including text messages, emails, and booking confirmations. If other guests or neighbors witnessed the accident, write down their contact information.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Accidents in short-term rentals involve unique challenges such as cross-jurisdictional laws, insurance disputes, and corporate platforms with complex terms of service. Consulting an attorney early allows you to preserve evidence and ensure deadlines for filing claims are met.

Types of Compensation Available

If negligence is proven, victims of short-term rental accidents may recover several forms of compensation:

Medical expenses: hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, and medications.
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity: if injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently.
Pain and suffering: physical discomfort and emotional distress.
Property damage: items destroyed or lost in the incident.
Loss of enjoyment of life: when injuries permanently impact your daily activities.
Wrongful death damages: for surviving family members in fatal accidents.

Our attorneys at Arshakyan Law Firm are skilled negotiators and litigators. We aim to secure the maximum possible settlement or verdict to help clients rebuild their lives.

Real-World Case Example

Imagine this scenario: A family rents an Airbnb in Malibu for the weekend. The listing advertises a beautiful ocean-view deck. On the first night, one of the guests leans on the wooden railing, which collapses due to rot and poor maintenance. The guest falls fifteen feet, suffering spinal and head injuries.

An investigation reveals that the host ignored prior complaints about the unstable railing. Although Airbnb provided the host with a “safety checklist,” no inspection was ever performed.

In such a case, multiple parties could share liability:

The host for failing to maintain a safe property.
The contractor who built or repaired the deck negligently.
Possibly Airbnb, if records show that similar complaints were ignored.

A personal injury attorney would gather inspection reports, witness statements, and medical documentation to prove negligence and pursue compensation through both insurance and civil court.

Legal Challenges Unique to Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rental injury cases often involve issues that traditional premises liability claims do not:

Multiple insurance policies – homeowner’s, renter’s, and platform-provided coverage may all overlap or conflict.
Jurisdictional confusion – the property may be in one city or county, while the owner lives elsewhere or operates through an LLC.
Terms of service restrictions – some platforms include arbitration clauses or limitations on liability.
Evidence preservation – since hosts can quickly remove or repair hazards, acting fast to document the scene is crucial.

That’s why victims should always consult attorneys experienced specifically in Airbnb and short-term rental accidents, not just general injury lawyers.

Preventing Accidents in Short-Term Rentals

For guests, prevention is key. Before booking, read reviews carefully and look for warning signs such as complaints about safety, maintenance, or cleanliness. Upon arrival, inspect the property for hazards like loose stairs, missing smoke detectors, or unsecured pools. Report anything unsafe immediately to the host and platform.

For property owners, compliance with California building codes and local short-term rental regulations is essential. Regular inspections, functioning alarms, well-lit entrances, and clear emergency exits not only protect guests but also reduce legal exposure.

Why Choose Arshakyan Law Firm

At Arshakyan Law Firm, we believe that every injury deserves justice—no matter where it happens. Our team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys combines legal skill, compassion, and relentless advocacy to help victims recover full compensation.

We handle every step of your case:

Thoroughly investigating the property conditions and identifying all liable parties.
Coordinating medical care and expert testimony.
Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies and corporate platforms.
Taking your case to trial if necessary.

Our firm proudly serves clients throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, the Valley, Orange County, and Ventura County.

Whether your case involves a slip and fall, electrical injury, pool accident, or wrongful death at an Airbnb or short-term rental, our attorneys will fight to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected.

Contact Arshakyan Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one were injured while staying in an Airbnb or short-term rental property, don’t face the process alone. The laws surrounding these cases can be complex, and platforms often have teams of lawyers protecting their interests, not yours.

Let Arshakyan Law Firm stand in your corner. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today at (818) 650-9985 for a free and confidential consultation. We are in your corner!