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Chicago Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawyer
Work With an Experienced Attorney for Airbnb or VRBO Sexual Assaults
An Airbnb sexual assault lawyer ensures that you receive a fair compensation agreement for your legal claim. We can ensure that both hosts and the company are held legally responsible for any harm caused to travelers seeking vacation rentals. Contact us today for a complimentary legal consultation to discuss your rights.
Should You Hire an Airbnb Sexual Assault Attorney?
A lawsuit can seem intimidating, especially when you are focused on healing and recovery. Working with an experienced sexual assault lawyer dramatically eases the process, as we will seek to hold the host and Airbnb liable on your behalf. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we aim to protect sexual assault victims and ensure they receive justice.
Our team is highly accomplished in handling Airbnb cases, having handled hundreds of cases involving physical assault and sexual abuse on rental properties. Utilizing our proven trial processes, we have secured millions in damages for our personal injury clients.
Verdicts and Settlements from Our Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawyers in Chicago
- $21 Million – Hotel sexual assault
- $15 Million – Coach grooming and abuse
- $6.5 Million – Cruise ship rape settlement
- $6.3 Million – Negligent security assault
- $6 Million – Child sexual abuse lawsuit
- $5 Million – Therapist sexual abuse settlement
What Constitutes Airbnb Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact or behavior that occurs without a victim’s consent. This can include fondling, groping, penetration, or any other physical attack of a sexual nature.
The Illinois criminal code defines it as sexual penetration that uses force or threat of force, or if the perpetrator knows that the victim cannot consent.Airbnb assault and misconduct can include any illegal touching, unwanted flirtatious behaviors, or unwanted discussions of relationships and sexual preferences. The company strictly prohibits any sexual assault, harassment, or other intimidating behaviors.
Your Legal Options Following Airbnb Sexual Assault
If an assault occurred in an Airbnb property, you may be able to pursue both criminal and civil charges. To file criminal charges, you must contact the police, who can open an investigation and determine whether your case meets the prosecutor’s standards.
Our team can assist you with any civil claims regarding Airbnb attacks. We will negotiate with Airbnb regarding their insurance policies and, if necessary, pursue legal action against Airbnb for damages resulting from their failure to take appropriate measures to protect guests.
Types of Cases Our Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawyers Handle
As with sexual assaults outside of the hospitality industry, there are many ways sexual abuse can occur. Our team will thoroughly investigate these cases, ensuring that victims receive justice for an assault during an Airbnb stay.
- Assault by Property Owners or Hosts – Home sharing sexual assault may occur when hosts ignore Airbnb safety guidelines, which bar hosts from entering the premises without permission.
- Assaults by Other Visitors or Guests – Hosts can be held liable for failing to address previous complaints about certain guests, such as harassment claims.
- Assaults Due to Inadequate Security – Hosts are responsible for maintaining safety measures at their property, which include access codes, secure entryways, and working locks.
- Assaults Involving Alcohol or Drugs – The host may be liable if an assault occurred involving drugs and alcohol, especially if they supplied the substances.
- Assaults by Airbnb Staff or Contractors—Maintenance, cleaning staff, and other contractors assaulting guests can make both Airbnb and potentially the host liable.
- Assaults Involving Minors – It is always illegal to have sexual contact with someone under 17 years old, making this both a civil and criminal issue.
- Cases With Complex Jurisdictional Issues – If the host lives in a different jurisdiction, we can identify the proper court to file a civil lawsuit.
Liability for Airbnb Sexual Assault Cases
Liability may be shared among multiple parties. This includes the perpetrator, host, and platform.
- Sexual Assault Perpetrator – As with any other sexual assault lawsuit, the perpetrator will be a defendant, regardless of whether they are a host or another guest.
- Airbnb Host – Hosts are obligated to provide a safe and secure environment for guests, which includes ensuring there is no unlawful entry and that other visitors are respectful of one another’s autonomy.
- Airbnb – Airbnb is obligated to perform proper background checks on hosts and to educate them about appropriate safety measures. Insufficient host training or background checks can make the company liable.
The Impact of Non-Disclosure Agreements
Before 2021, Airbnb required any accusations of sexual assault or harassment to be resolved through arbitration, which included a non-disclosure agreement. However, this stipulation is no longer in place, making it possible to pursue legal action instead of arbitration.
Airbnb still requires most other injury lawsuits to be resolved through arbitration. However, as explained in the appellate case Peterson v. Devita, these rules do not apply to secondary guests, such as those visiting Airbnb guests who rented the property.
If you’ve been sexually assaulted at a rental property, contact an attorney from our firm to discuss your next steps, including civil litigation.
Damages You Can Recover in an Airbnb Sexual Assault Claim
Our team will assist you in seeking financial compensation in a sexual assault lawsuit, which may include multiple types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages compensate you for financial losses associated with the assault, including:
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Future medical attention
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damages
Non-economic damages consider the devastating impact of sexual abuse on a person’s life and mental well-being, which includes:
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages are rarer and are awarded by a court in cases where the defendant’s acts go beyond gross negligence.
Airbnb’s Insurance Coverage
Airbnb maintains up to $1 million in liability insurance for its hosts. This includes bodily injury, property damage, or damage to common areas of the premises. However, it does not cover intentional acts. Our law firm will investigate the applicable liability coverage and work to ensure that any applicable damages are considered.
Steps to Take Immediately Following an Airbnb Attack
An assault can be terrifying, but your immediate actions can determine whether it is possible to seek justice. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
Reporting the Incident to Law Enforcement and Airbnb
After you have reached a safe place, call 911 and request that the police be contacted. This creates an official record of the incident, which can later be used for a criminal or civil investigation.
You should also report the incident to the Airbnb platform. An incident report filed with Airbnb will trigger an internal investigation and create a record of what happened.
Seeking Medical Care and Documenting Injuries
Seeking medical assistance is crucial after an assault, both for your physical and psychological well-being. These medical reports can also be vital evidence for your legal team.
You should visit the closest emergency room, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital or Rush University Medical Center in the Chicago area, and seek medical attention. While there, request a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam. This gathers evidence and documents any injuries, which can later be used in the criminal or civil legal process.
Preserving Evidence for Your Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Airbnb physical assaults require significant evidence, which you should begin gathering as soon as possible. These can include:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Therapy notes
- Communications with the host and Airbnb
- Booking details
- Photos and videos of the property, including any security issues
- Witness contact information
We can also help you get further details from the company, such as whether they have effective emergency response protocols.
Once this is completed, call us for comprehensive legal support. We will protect your legal rights and guide you through the lawsuit process.
Sexual Assault Claims Should Be Filed Timely
In Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This timeline is extended for minors, as the statute of limitations does not start until they turn 18. However, you should always call our Chicago sexual abuse lawyers as soon as possible so that we have time to investigate your case.
The Prevalence of Sexual Assault at Airbnbs
Airbnb assault statistics are shrouded in secrecy, as the company does not want to imply responsibility on their behalf or that of their host by acknowledging the extent of the problem. However, the following statistics demonstrate the extent of the danger.
- Airbnb spends an average of $50 million per year in payouts to both guests and hosts who have been the victims of harassment, assault, or physical violence.
- Chicago requires all Airbnb or VRBO properties to be licensed under the Shared Housing Ordinance. However, in some areas, as many as 85% of Airbnb listings are unlicensed, placing visitors at serious risk.
- Inflection, the company that supplies background checks for Airbnb, has been sued over a dozen times for false information on its reports.
- Many Airbnb properties contain hidden cameras. This surveillance could leave guests vulnerable to being sexually assaulted.
- A study by Northeastern University researchers found that increased Airbnb listings led to a rise in violent crimes in neighborhoods.
How Our Law Firm Investigates These Cases
Our legal team takes a methodical approach to investigating assault cases. We will interview the host, including any prior incidents or complaints that may have been reported against them. Investigating property conditions and security measures allows us to understand how the attack may have happened, which is especially important if it was a physical assault by a stranger.
Next, we’ll examine Airbnb’s platform policies to understand how they respond to security incidents. Through incident reports, we’ll identify whether the company took your case seriously or if they failed to respond. This research will help us determine who was liable and how they can be held accountable in court.
How an Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help
Our law firm will assist you with all aspects of filing a lawsuit, including:
- Assessing how much your case will be worth
- Gathering evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Gathering expert testimony
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you at trial
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you. Contacting our Airbnb sexual assault attorneys is risk-free.
Consult a Sexual Assault Lawyer Near You!
If you’ve been assaulted at an Airbnb, you deserve justice. Our team has recovered millions in damages for our clients, including victims of assault at rental properties like Airbnb or VRBO. We work on a contingency fee basis, ensuring top-notch legal assistance is always affordable.
To schedule your free consultation with an accomplished personal injury lawyer in Chicago, call us 24/7 at or contact us online.
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Jonathan was very helpful with my case! He liste to everything I had to say. He took all my information and used it to the best of his ability. just felt like he cared he did everything he could soon as he was able to do it! I would definitely recommend him and would use him again if I eve need him!!
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.