Burn Injury Claims Involving Vacation Rentals and Resorts
A family vacation should never end with a child suffering a devastating burn injury. Unfortunately, burn accidents occur more often than many people realize at Airbnb properties, vacation homes, and resorts. Hot tap water, unprotected fire pits, defective grills, and improperly maintained hot tubs can all create serious hazards for young children.
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP (DDRB), we represent families whose children have suffered catastrophic burn injuries because a vacation rental owner or property manager failed to maintain a reasonably safe property.
Common Burn Hazards at Vacation Rentals
Children have thinner, more sensitive skin than adults, meaning severe burns can occur in just seconds.
Some of the most common burn hazards include:
- Water heaters set above recommended safe temperatures
- Showers and bathtubs without anti-scald mixing valves
- Unprotected outdoor fire pits
- Accessible gas grills and outdoor cooking areas
- Malfunctioning hot tubs or spas that exceed safe water temperatures
- Exposed fireplace surfaces or outdoor heaters
Many of these hazards are preventable with proper inspections, maintenance, and safety equipment.
Serious Burn Injuries Can Require Years of Treatment
Severe burns often require immediate emergency care followed by months—or even years—of treatment.
Children may experience:
- First-, second-, or third-degree burns
- Skin grafting procedures
- Reconstructive surgery
- Permanent scarring
- Limited mobility from scar contractures
- Emotional trauma and psychological counseling
As a child grows, additional surgeries may become necessary because scar tissue does not expand normally with the body.
Can a Vacation Rental Owner Be Liable?
Property owners and vacation rental operators have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for their guests. That includes identifying hazards that could foreseeably injure children.
For example, industry guidance and many plumbing safety standards recommend that residential hot water delivered to fixtures not exceed 120°F, helping reduce the risk of serious scald injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:
- Airbnb or vacation rental hosts
- Property management companies
- Resort owners
- Maintenance contractors
- Manufacturers of defective appliances or equipment
Each case depends on the facts, including whether the dangerous condition could have been discovered and corrected through reasonable inspections.
Insurance Coverage May Be Available
Catastrophic pediatric burn injuries often involve extensive future medical expenses. Depending on the property and the circumstances, compensation may be available through:
- Vacation rental liability insurance
- Property owner’s homeowners or umbrella insurance
- Commercial liability policies
- Third-party property management insurance
- Other applicable liability coverage
A thorough investigation helps identify every available source of recovery.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I file a claim if my child was burned by hot water at an Airbnb?
Possibly. If excessively hot water, defective plumbing, or another unsafe condition caused your child’s injuries, the property owner or another responsible party may be liable. An investigation can determine whether negligent maintenance or unsafe conditions contributed to the accident.
Contact DDRB
Serious burn injuries often leave families facing overwhelming medical expenses, multiple surgeries, and years of rehabilitation. When those injuries could have been prevented, negligent property owners should be held accountable.
The attorneys at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP investigate catastrophic burn injuries involving Airbnb properties, vacation rentals, hotels, and resorts throughout Florida and help families pursue the compensation they need for both current and future care.