Our client was 67 years old when he traveled to Peru, and checked into an apartment booked through a major U.S.-based vacation rental platform. On June 30, 2024, he stepped into the bathtub to shower. The mat inside the tub was defective and dangerously slippery. The tub itself stood approximately two feet high with no grab bars, no safety railings, and no warnings of any kind. He slipped, nearly struck his head on the toilet, and braced his fall with his right hand -- his dominant hand. The impact shattered his wrist.He underwent his first surgery on July 12, 2024 -- open reduction internal fixation with a plate and screw system. Recovery did not go as hoped. Severe nerve complications developed, including carpal tunnel syndrome, focal slowing of the right ulnar nerve, and virtually absent nerve responses in the right hand. A second surgery on February 7, 2025, addressed multiple simultaneous problems: wrist arthroscopy, hardware removal, ulnar shortening osteotomy, ulnar nerve decompression, elbow arthrotomy, and flexor tenosynovectomy.Past medical bills exceeded $131,000. Future medical expenses were projected at $155,000. The injury forced our client into early retirement, representing $90,000 in lost wages. The claim was brought against the vacation rental platform under its liability guarantee policy. We resolved the matter for $200,000 without ever proceeding to arbitration.
We identified the platform's liability coverage and pursued it directly. Major vacation rental platforms maintain liability insurance guarantees for guest injuries at listed properties. We filed a formal pre-arbitration demand directly against the platform and its insurer. We never had to go to arbitration -- the claim resolved on demand.We established liability through international safety standards. The property failed basic safety requirements under multiple frameworks -- the International Building Code, U.S. standards, and local building regulations.We built a complete and compelling damages picture. Two surgeries. Nerve damage with virtually absent responses on EMG testing. Hardware complications requiring removal. A third surgery still possible. Early forced retirement from a job requiring daily use of the injured hand.
