SC Airbnb Injury Lawyer Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb Injury Lawyer

Injured at an Airbnb or short-term rental in Mount Pleasant? The Arndt Law Firm helps guests hold negligent hosts accountable for slips, falls, pool accidents, and other hazards. Call (843) 469-8777 to speak with a Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb injury lawyer today.

Short-term rentals have transformed travel in Mount Pleasant. Many visitors looking for beach access, proximity to Charleston, or family-friendly neighborhoods choose Airbnb properties over traditional hotels. Homes in Park West, Carolina Park, Old Village, and near Shem Creek offer vacationers the appeal of private spaces, full kitchens, and local neighborhood experiences. However, these conveniences come with risks when property owners neglect safety.

Injuries at Airbnb rentals occur without warning. A guest may:

Slip on an unmarked wet floor

Fall down stairs lacking proper handrails

Suffer burns from faulty appliances

Encounter dangerous pool conditions

Unlike hotels with professional management and regular inspections, short-term rentals often lack the oversight to maintain safe premises. When hosts prioritize bookings over maintenance, guests pay the price.

South Carolina premises liability law applies to short-term rentals just as it does to hotels, stores, and restaurants. Property owners owe guests a duty to provide reasonably safe accommodations. Injured guests have the right to pursue compensation when they fail to inspect, repair, or warn about hazards.

The Arndt Law Firm, located in Mount Pleasant, advocates for individuals who have sustained injuries at Airbnb and other short-term rental properties across Charleston County and throughout South Carolina. Our founder, Attorney Jonathan Arndt, a named Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024-2025), offers in-depth local knowledge and valuable trial experience to handle these distinctive cases.

A skilled Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb injury lawyer is committed to holding negligent property owners accountable and securing justice for injured guests.

The Hidden Risks of Unregulated Hospitality

Over the last decade, Mount Pleasant has seen rapid growth in short-term rental listings. Its proximity to Charleston and the Isle of Palms, along with its coastal charm, make it a popular Airbnb destination. Hundreds of new properties appear each year, often in neighborhoods not initially designed for transient guests.

While this growth boosts tourism, it also raises safety concerns. Unlike licensed hotels, many short-term rentals bypass regular inspections, leaving hazards unnoticed. Airbnb enables direct connections between hosts and guests but lacks universal standards for training, safety certification, or property inspection.

Mount Pleasant now requires short-term rental permits and business licenses, with new permits issued from a waitlist, helping improve regulation and safety compliance.

Common Hazards at Airbnb Rentals

Short-term rental properties present distinct safety challenges. Without the professional management standards of hotels, Airbnb hosts may overlook hazards that cause serious injuries.

Poorly Maintained Premises

Cracked sidewalks, broken stairs, loose deck boards, and uneven walkways create tripping hazards. Properties in older neighborhoods, such as Old Village, may have aging infrastructure that requires regular maintenance. Hosts who defer repairs to maximize rental income put guests at risk.

Swimming Pool Dangers

Many Mount Pleasant Airbnb properties advertise pools as amenities, particularly in Rivertowne, Dunes West, and Carolina Park. Pool hazards include broken gates allowing unsupervised access, slippery decks without non-slip surfaces, missing safety equipment, inadequate lighting for evening use, and a lack of proper fencing. These failures can result in drowning and near-drowning incidents, especially involving children.

Inadequate Lighting

Vacation rentals often lack sufficient exterior lighting. Guests arriving at night may navigate dark driveways, unlit stairs, or poorly illuminated entryways. Inadequate lighting increases the risk of trips, falls, and injuries from unseen obstacles.

Structural Issues

Hosts may list properties with known defects to avoid losing bookings. Structural problems include loose or missing handrails on stairs and balconies, rotting deck boards, unstable furniture, cracked flooring, and doors or windows that jam or fail to secure properly. These conditions violate building codes and create serious injury risks.

Faulty Appliances and Utilities

Malfunctioning appliances pose burn, shock, and fire hazards. Gas leaks from stoves, electrical wiring problems, defective water heaters, and broken HVAC systems can cause injuries or dangerous conditions. Hosts who fail to inspect and maintain utilities expose guests to preventable harm.

Inadequate Security

Short-term rentals in areas with higher crime rates require proper security measures. Broken locks, malfunctioning alarm systems, inadequate exterior lighting, and a lack of secure entry points leave guests vulnerable to assaults, robberies, and other crimes. Hosts must disclose known security concerns and provide reasonable protections.

Fire Safety Violations

Rental properties must comply with fire safety codes, including working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, clearly marked exits, accessible fire extinguishers, and compliance with occupancy limits. Guests injured in fires or inhaling smoke due to missing or non-functional safety equipment may pursue claims against negligent hosts.

Hidden Hazards

Unlike hotels, where staff continuously monitor conditions, Airbnb properties may have hazards that hosts are unaware of or choose to ignore. Mold growth from water damage, pest infestations, exposed wiring, sharp edges on broken fixtures, and toxic substances in garages or storage areas all present dangers to unsuspecting guests.

South Carolina Law and Airbnb Liability

South Carolina courts increasingly treat short-term rentals as businesses, meaning hosts are responsible for keeping their properties safe. In past cases, courts have dismissed hosts’ claims that Airbnb stays are just “informal lodging” or “friend-to-friend” arrangements. Once a guest pays, the host takes on the legal responsibilities of a business.

Local rules back this up. For example, the Town of Mount Pleasant requires rental hosts to keep their properties safe and to comply with zoning, occupancy, and fire safety laws. Ignoring these rules can be used as evidence if someone gets hurt. Essentially, hosts must take the same care of their guests as hotels and other commercial properties do.

Duty of Care to Guests

Airbnb guests are classified as invitees under South Carolina law. Invitees are individuals invited onto property for the mutual benefit of both parties. Because hosts profit from renting their properties, they owe guests the highest standard of care, which includes regularly inspecting for hazards, making necessary repairs, and warning guests about dangers that cannot be immediately fixed.

This duty extends to all areas guests are invited to use, including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor spaces, pools, driveways, and parking areas. Hosts cannot limit liability by claiming certain areas were off-limits if guests reasonably believed they had access to them.

Proving Negligence

To recover compensation, injured guests must prove that the host breached their duty of care, that the breach directly caused the injury, and that actual damages resulted. Evidence may include:

Photographs of hazards

Medical records documenting injuries

Witness statements from other guests or neighbors

Property listings showing advertised amenities

Communication with the host about hazards

Expert testimony about safety standards

A Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb injury lawyer can help gather and present this evidence to strengthen the guest’s case and maximize potential compensation.

Host Knowledge of Hazards

Liability depends on whether the host knew or should have known about the hazard. Actual knowledge exists when the host was directly aware of the danger, such as a broken stair that they personally observed. Constructive knowledge means the hazard existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have discovered it.

Hosts cannot claim ignorance when they fail to conduct basic safety inspections before guest arrivals. Prior guest complaints documented in reviews or private messages establish knowledge of recurring problems.

Airbnb's Role and Liability

Airbnb typically positions itself as a platform that connects hosts and guests rather than as a property manager. This distinction limits Airbnb's direct liability in most injury cases. However, Airbnb may face liability if it fails to vet hosts with histories of safety violations properly, ignores repeated complaints about dangerous properties, or misrepresents property conditions in listings.

Most injury claims focus on host liability, as hosts maintain direct control over property conditions and safety. However, experienced attorneys evaluate whether Airbnb's actions or omissions contributed to injuries.

Insurance Coverage

Many homeowners' insurance policies exclude coverage for injuries at short-term rentals. Airbnb provides Host Liability Insurance covering up to $1 million in liability claims, but this coverage has limitations and exclusions. Hosts who purchase separate short-term rental insurance may have additional coverage. Identifying all available insurance sources is critical to recovering full compensation.

Statute of Limitations

Injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident date. Missing this deadline typically means losing the right to pursue compensation. Consulting with an injury attorney immediately after an injury ensures deadlines are met and evidence is preserved.

Types of Injuries at Airbnb Properties

Injuries at short-term rentals range from minor to catastrophic. Understanding common injury types helps guests recognize when they may have valid claims.

Slip and Fall Injuries

Guests slip on wet floors, loose rugs, or slippery tile. Falls can cause fractured hips, wrists, and ankles, traumatic brain injuries from striking heads on hard surfaces, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage. Elderly guests are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from falls.

Stairway and Balcony Falls

Properties with multiple levels present fall risks when stairs lack handrails, have uneven or broken steps, have inadequate lighting, or have unstable balcony railings. Falls from heights often result in life-threatening injuries, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and multiple fractures.

Swimming Pool Accidents

Drowning, near-drowning, diving injuries causing spinal damage, slip and falls on pool decks, and chemical burns from improperly maintained pool water all occur at rental properties with pools. Children face the highest risk, but adults can suffer serious injuries from inadequate pool safety measures.

Burn Injuries

Faulty appliances, water heaters set too high, fire pit accidents, and exposure to hot surfaces without warnings cause burn injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and often resulting in permanent scarring.

Electrical Injuries

Exposed wiring, overloaded circuits, and malfunctioning electrical systems can cause shocks, electrocution, and fires. Electrical injuries may result in cardiac complications, neurological damage, and severe burns.

Carbon Monoxide and Gas Exposure

Non-functioning carbon monoxide detectors and gas leaks from appliances can cause fatal poisoning. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. Even brief exposure can cause lasting neurological damage.

Assault and Robbery

Guests at properties with inadequate security may suffer injuries from criminal acts. When hosts fail to provide working locks, adequate lighting, or security systems in areas with known crime issues, they may be liable for injuries resulting from assaults or robberies.

Damages Recoverable in Airbnb Injury Cases

South Carolina law allows injured guests to pursue compensation for economic and non-economic losses resulting from Airbnb accidents.

Economic Damages

Medical expenses form the foundation of economic damages. These may include:

emergency treatment
hospitalization
surgery
prescription medications
physical therapy
future medical care

Lost wages for time missed from work during recovery and loss of earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to previous employment are also recoverable. Travel expenses related to medical treatment and property damage to personal belongings injured in the accident round out economic damages.

Beyond immediate costs, injuries in vacation rentals often have ripple effects. Tourists visiting Mount Pleasant from other states may face out-of-network medical bills, lost travel investments, or difficulty returning for follow-up care. A South Carolina personal injury lawyer can help coordinate claims across jurisdictions, ensuring victims aren’t left absorbing expenses far beyond their stay.

Courts may also recognize damages for “loss of consortium,” covering the emotional and relational impact on family members whose loved one was seriously injured or killed in a preventable Airbnb accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages include the physical pain and suffering guests experience from injuries, the emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma, caused by the accident, the loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent participation in previously enjoyed activities, and any disfigurement or scarring from injuries or surgeries. While more subjective, these losses play an equally important role in fully compensating injured guests.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, courts may award punitive damages to punish hosts and deter similar behavior. Examples include hosts who continued renting properties despite knowing about dangerous conditions or deliberately concealed serious hazards from guests.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule: guests can recover damages if they are less than 51% at fault for the incident. This means even if a guest missed a “wet floor” sign or overlooked a hazard, they can still pursue compensation if the host’s negligence played the dominant role. Understanding how this standard applies to Airbnb settings, where warnings may be buried in listings rather than visible on-site, can make a decisive difference in case outcomes.

Steps to Take After an Airbnb Injury

Taking prompt action after an Airbnb injury can significantly influence both recovery and the ability of injured guests to secure compensation.

Document Everything

Photograph the hazard that caused the injury from multiple angles; capture the surrounding area, showing a lack of warnings or poor lighting; and document visible injuries. Video recordings provide additional context about property conditions.

Report to the Host

Notify the host immediately through Airbnb's messaging system to create a record. Describe the accident and injuries clearly. Request that the host document the incident. Do not accept compensation offers without consulting an attorney, as this may limit future claims.

Seek Medical Attention

Visit a doctor or go to the emergency room, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries worsen over time or have delayed symptoms. Medical records establish the severity of injuries and connect them to the accident.

Preserve Evidence

Keep clothing and shoes worn during the accident. Save all property listing information, including photos and descriptions. Download all communications with the host through Airbnb's platform. Collect contact information for any witnesses.

Report to Airbnb

File an incident report through Airbnb's platform. This creates an official record and may trigger insurance coverage. However, be cautious about making detailed statements until you consult an attorney.

Avoid Social Media

Do not post about the accident or injuries on social media. Insurance companies monitor social media accounts and use posts to argue that injuries are not serious or that victims are partially at fault.

Consult an Attorney

Contact a Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb injury lawyer promptly. Jonathan Arndt and his team can handle communications with hosts, Airbnb, and insurance companies, preventing victims from making statements that could harm their claims.

Why Choose The Arndt Law Firm

Airbnb injury cases require attorneys who understand premises liability law, short-term rental regulations, and insurance coverage issues.

The Arndt Law Firm brings comprehensive legal knowledge and local experience to every case. Based in Mount Pleasant, the team can understand county courts, local property conditions, and the unique challenges of short-term rental cases.

The Arndt Law Firm approaches every case with thorough investigation, expert witnesses, and strong trial preparation. This readiness strengthens settlement negotiations and ensures powerful representation if a trial becomes necessary. Jonathan Arndt handles Airbnb injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney's fees unless compensation is recovered.

Pursuing claims against Airbnb hosts holds negligent property owners accountable and promotes safer rental conditions throughout Mount Pleasant. When hosts face consequences for failing to maintain safe premises, they are motivated to prioritize guest safety over profits.

Speak With an Experienced Mount Pleasant, SC Airbnb Injury Lawyer Today

Every Airbnb injury represents a system failing to balance profit with protection. By pursuing claims, victims secure personal justice and help raise standards across the community. Mount Pleasant thrives when tourism feels safe, predictable, and welcoming—holding negligent hosts accountable drives that standard forward.

Injuries at Airbnb properties in Mount Pleasant are preventable when hosts take their responsibilities seriously. When they fail to maintain safe rental conditions, injured guests deserve compensation for their losses.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury while staying at a short-term rental in Mount Pleasant or anywhere in Charleston County, it's crucial to take action. The Arndt Law Firm is here to provide you with dedicated and compassionate representation for injury cases throughout South Carolina.

Don’t navigate this challenging time alone. Call us today at 843-469-8777 for a free consultation and let us help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Your well-being is our priority!