Hotels Claims Through Small Claims Court

A bad hotel experience can ruin a vacation, a business trip, or even a personal milestone. But what happens when it goes beyond inconvenience — when you’re injured, your property is stolen, or you’re treated unfairly? Many people don’t realize that yes, you can sue a hotel. In some cases, you absolutely should.

If you have more questions about suing a hotel, be sure to visit Squabble to use helpful tools to get started.

Let’s break down when it’s legally possible to take action against a hotel, how to go about it, and what to expect if you decide to move forward.

When You Might Have Grounds to Sue a Hotel

Hotels have a legal duty to provide a safe and secure environment for their guests. If they fail in that duty, and you’re harmed as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. Here are the most common reasons people successfully sue hotels:

Injuries on Hotel Property
- If you slipped on a wet floor with no warning sign, tripped over a loose carpet, or were hurt by broken furniture, you may have a personal injury claim. Hotels are required to maintain reasonably safe conditions — this is part of what’s known as premises liability law.
- Examples of injury claims:
  - Slip and falls
  - Bed bug bites causing physical harm or emotional distress
  - Burns from scalding hot water or broken appliances
  - Elevator or escalator accidents
  - Gym or pool-related injuries due to lack of signage or poor maintenance
Negligent Security or Theft
- Hotels are expected to provide reasonable security for their guests and their belongings. If someone breaks into your room, your car is stolen from the hotel’s parking lot, or you’re assaulted on the property, you may be able to sue for negligent security — especially if the hotel didn’t take basic precautions like locks, lighting, or trained staff.
- You may have a case if:
  - The hotel lacked security cameras, working locks, or staff presence
  - They ignored reports of suspicious activity
  - There was a pattern of crime on the premises that was never addressed
Breach of Contract
- This applies when a hotel fails to deliver on its promises. For example, if you paid for a suite but were given a standard room, or you reserved a block of rooms for a wedding and they weren’t honored, you could potentially sue for breach of contract or seek compensation for your losses.

Before You Sue: Steps to Take First

Lawsuits can be time-consuming and stressful, so it’s important to take the right steps early. You might even be able to resolve the issue without ever going to court.

Talk to Hotel Management
- Always report the issue in real time, if possible. Be polite but firm. Request written documentation or a written response to your complaint.
Document Everything
- Take photos or videos of the scene (if you were injured or property was damaged), get names of witnesses or employees, and keep all receipts, emails, or contracts related to your stay.
File a Formal Complaint
- If management doesn’t resolve the issue, escalate it. File a written complaint with the hotel’s corporate office or hospitality brand (if applicable).
Check Your State’s Small Claims Court Limits
- In many cases — especially for claims involving less than $10,000 — you can take the hotel to small claims court. It’s a faster, less formal process that doesn’t require a lawyer.

When to Consider a Lawsuit

You should consider a formal lawsuit if:
- You suffered significant physical or emotional harm
- The hotel was grossly negligent or ignored repeated warnings
- The financial damages are substantial (medical bills, property loss, missed work)
- You were discriminated against or harassed in a serious way
- Attempts to resolve the issue informally have failed

Legal Challenges You Might Face

Suing a hotel isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few potential obstacles:

Waivers and disclaimers: Hotels often include fine print attempting to limit liability, especially for theft or injury. But those disclaimers may not hold up in court if gross negligence is proven.
Proof of negligence: You’ll need to show that the hotel failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the incident — and that their failure caused your injury or loss.
Out-of-state claims: If the hotel was in a different state or country, you may need to file in that jurisdiction, which can complicate things.
Deadlines: There are legal time limits, called statutes of limitations, that determine how long you have to sue. These vary by state and by case type — often 1 to 3 years for personal injury claims.

Real Case Examples

A traveler reported staying at a reputable U.S. hotel and returning to find toiletries and a valuable dental appliance missing. The hotel insurance denied the claim citing lack of proof, and the guest filed a small claims suit for reimbursements of around $1,000.
A couple sued a 5-star hotel after a family holiday turned miserable due to a mouldy room, unclean conditions, and stale food—specifically, “inedible” croissants served on site. They paid roughly $6,00 for a weeklong all‑inclusive stay, but the court found misrepresentations about the resort’s 5‑star quality. The County Court awarded them $3,000 in damages, and the judge still found the resort failed to meet promised standards.

How Much Can You Sue a Hotel For?

It depends on the severity of your damages. If your case goes to court, you can typically seek:

Medical bills and therapy costs
Lost wages or missed business opportunities
Reimbursement for damaged or stolen items
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress (in some cases)
Punitive damages (in extreme negligence or civil rights cases)

Is It Worth Suing a Hotel?

For minor annoyances — like a noisy neighbor or a missing towel — probably not. But if you were injured, humiliated, put in danger, or suffered financial loss due to the hotel’s actions (or inaction), it might absolutely be worth pursuing a claim.

Even if you don’t want to go to court, simply sending a demand letter or filing a small claims action often pushes the hotel to settle the issue fairly.

Final Thought: You Deserve to Be Safe and Respected

If a hotel has caused you harm—whether through negligence, lost or stolen property, unsafe conditions, breach of contract, or mistreatment—you have the right to take legal action. But navigating small claims courts can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.

That’s where Squabble comes in.

We make it simple to pursue your claim against a hotel by helping you:

Check the statute of limitations for hotel-related claims in your state
Draft a professional demand letter that gets taken seriously
Organize your documents, receipts, and communication for court
Follow a clear, step-by-step guide to filing and preparing your case

Thousands of people have used Squabble to successfully stand up to large businesses—including hotels—and 95% of our users report winning or settling their claims.

Hotels have legal teams on their side. Now, you have Squabble.

Start your claim today—and take back what’s rightfully yours.