Table of Contents

Helping Victims Pursue Legal Action

An Airbnb sexual assault lawyer from our team can help you seek justice for travelers seeking vacation rentals, only to be sexually assaulted instead. Through our compassionate advocacy, we ensure that major corporations like Airbnb and VRBO are held legally responsible for attempted rape, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse.

Call our experienced sexual assault lawyers to learn more about your legal options during a free consultation.

Settlements Recovered by Our Law Firm

$21,000,000 for sexual assault at a hotel
$2,750,000 for a woman raped at a summer camp
$2,000,000 for a man sexually assaulted by a maintenance worker

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team for Your Airbnb Sexual Assault Case

Our experienced attorneys work nationwide to secure financial compensation for home-sharing sexual assault victims. Injury Lawyer Team’s strong track record of success stems from our trauma-informed approach, which helps survivors feel confident in sharing their stories.

We work tirelessly to preserve evidence, use federal law or company policies as strong evidence, and secure a fair compensation agreement for every survivor. Most importantly, we ensure your mental well-being throughout the legal process so that you can move forward in your healing journey.

Experienced attorney helping clients pursue Airbnb sexual assault lawsuits

Understanding Airbnb Sexual Assault and Legal Recourse

The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines sexual offenses as “Any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent.”

Another definition by Columbia University defines sexual assault as any sexual contact without consent. With harassment claims, it must be proven that the individual made unwanted comments of a sexual nature.

A victim does not need to suffer physical injuries to have been assaulted. Hosts, other Airbnb guests, or third parties like maintenance workers can perpetrate these assaults. You are entitled to make a civil claim, and an Airbnb sexual assault attorney can help you throughout the process.

Airbnb Sexual Assault Statistics

Like many companies, Airbnb is not forthcoming about how many serious incidents are related to its platform. However, in 2021, Bloomberg reported that Airbnb faces thousands of sexual abuse allegations per year, spending around $50 million annually to “make nightmares go away.”

The company’s secretive safety agents work hard to silence survivors before they can take legal action by quickly offering settlements, which may be completely inadequate for the psychological trauma they have suffered.

Business Insider calculated that as many as 193,000 serious safety incidents may happen per year based on the company’s safety reports, which would include physical and sexual assaults.

Common Examples of Airbnb Sexual Assault and Harassment

Sexual abuse can take many forms, ranging from sexualized comments to violent rapes. Some of the most common examples of sexual misconduct at Airbnb properties include the following.

Inappropriate Touching or Groping

Hosts, other guests, or landlords may touch a guest in a sexual manner or force them to engage in sexual acts. In one example, Leslie Lapayowker was held down by a host who masturbated in front of her, then asked her to leave a positive review.

Voyeurism and Hidden Cameras

An investigation by CNN reviewed 75 different cases of hidden cameras in Airbnb properties, finding that the problem is ubiquitous across the United States. In one case, victims of a disgraced Airbnb host were awarded $45 million after it was found that the host had amassed over 27,000 videos of guests. Some of these included indecent images of underage people.

Drug or Alcohol-Facilitated Assault

Airbnb has strict policies on drug use, including banning property owners from encouraging or allowing drug use. However, this does not stop Airbnb guests or hosts from perpetrating assaults while under the influence. In one instance, a woman was date raped at an Airbnb by a Bumble date.

Verbal Harassment or Threats

The First Amendment does not protect verbal harassment and threats, which can open a person up to criminal or civil action. Unwanted sexual comments, threats of physical harm if the person doesn’t comply, or stalking behavior can all lead to a lawsuit.

How Airbnb May Fail to Protect Guests

Airbnb could be responsible for sexual assault by failing to require safety measures like locking doors, providing insufficient host training on how to respond to emergencies, or failing to ban individuals who have received complaints about inappropriate behavior. They may also have failed to perform background checks on hosts.

Liability in an Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Joint liability is the legal doctrine by which multiple parties can share liability for a personal injury. Liable parties in a sexual assault lawsuit can include the platform, landlords, and potentially the host if this was a co-guest arrangement.

We will review all legal claims that may apply to your case and take action against any liable party.

Property Hosts or Co-Guests

Hosts should ensure that all guests are kept safe by providing adequate security, using reprogrammable keycards, and vetting any third-party contractors who may offer services to them. Fellow guests can also be held liable for their conduct, including if they assaulted you or your family member.

Airbnb as a Platform

Airbnb should have effective emergency response protocols and provide adequate safety measures to protect guests from potential danger. This includes performing thorough background checks, removing hosts with multiple complaints, and following up on any incident reports.

Property Owners or Landlords

Property owners and landlords can be held responsible under premises liability laws if their tenant uses the property as an Airbnb but fails to take all necessary precautions.

How to Protect Yourself When Booking an Airbnb

While a survivor is never responsible for being assaulted, every Airbnb guest can take precautions to keep themselves safe while on vacation. Follow these tips during every trip to reduce your risk of sexual violence.

Use Superhosts
Verify the safety features at the property, like locks
Check for hidden cameras as soon as you check in
Bring a portable door lock for your bedroom or sleeping area
Let others know where you will be and ask them to check in
Check your drinks for signs of date rape drugs

What to Do After a Sexual or Physical Assault in an Airbnb

Your primary focus after a sexual assault should be your physical safety. Seek medical attention from the closest hospital as soon as possible, and inform the staff that you have been sexually assaulted.

The Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016 requires that rape kits be provided free of charge to all survivors, and that the rape kit must be preserved for at least 20 years (Public Law No: 114-236). You should not be charged for any forensic examination.

In addition to gathering forensic evidence and providing you with medical care, hospitals can contact the police on your behalf. These medical records also demonstrate that you had injuries consistent with assault.

Importance of Reporting to Local Law Enforcement

After seeking medical assistance, your next step should be to work with law enforcement. Even if you choose not to pursue a criminal case, filing a police report is a key part of the legal process. You should also contact Airbnb after any sexual assault to file a complaint.

How an Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawyer Can Help

Sexual assault allegations require significant evidence, which we can help you secure. Our legal team will review any prior complaints about the host or the offending guest. If there is such an incident report filed, Airbnb can be held liable for ignoring previous complaints or failing to adhere to the company’s safety protocols.

Thanks to our years of experience, our team can protect your legal rights while pushing for maximum compensation based on the evidence.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit After an Airbnb Sexual Assault

You have several legal options after an assault, including filing a civil claim against the perpetrator and the company. You do not need to file criminal charges in order to be eligible for a civil case, though our legal team can use evidence like police reports to help you secure compensation.

Compensation Awarded to Sexual Assault Victims

You may receive a variety of damages in a civil case, such as the following.

Medical Expenses and Therapy Costs – While you should never be changed for medical bills related to a rape kit, you may require therapy and prescriptions to help you recover. We can ensure these are included in a settlement.
Lost Wages and Career Disruption – Many survivors find themselves unable to work after an assault due to PTSD and distress. If you had to take time off work or change careers due to the assault, we can calculate your losses.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress – Your physical pain and emotional trauma should not be discounted. Using tools like injury multipliers, we can incorporate damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life into your settlement.
Punitive Damages in Severe Cases – If your case goes to trial, a jury may award punitive damages. These are meant to punish the perpetrator for wanton disregard and recklessness. Not every jurisdiction allows for punitive damages, and they will not be provided if you settle out of court.

Impact of Airbnb Physical Assault and Sexual Abuse on Survivors

Sexual assault can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person’s life. Common issues that survivors face include nightmares about the event, anxiety, guilt, and shame. Some individuals experience extreme responses shortly after the attack but recover, while others may have a delayed reaction that causes severe distress even years later.

Statute of Limitations for Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawsuits

In many jurisdictions, sexual assault cases are treated differently from most other injury lawsuits, especially if they involve children. Survivors may have extended time to file lawsuits.

As every state is different, it’s critical to work with an experienced attorney familiar with your region’s statutes.

FAQs

Can You Sue Airbnb for Sexual Assault or Physical Attacks?

Yes, you can sue Airbnb, but liability can be challenging to prove. Airbnb removed its clauses requiring arbitration of sexual assault cases, but they may still attempt to avoid accountability. You need an experienced Airbnb attorney on your side to demonstrate how the company failed to protect guests.

What if the Airbnb Attack Involved Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is an incredibly serious offense, and we can help you get justice. Our trauma-informed attorneys are experienced working with child victims, including how to gather evidence sensitively. In most states, the statute of limitations is tolled, or paused, until the victim turns 18.