Hotels and motels should be safe places to stay and work. The property’s owner and operator are obligated to maintain safe premises. Attacks against guests and employees can be prevented in many cases if the hotel operator follows common-sense practices and employs reasonable security measures.
If you were raped or sexually abused in a hotel or motel, you might have a civil claim against the owner or operator. Contact the attorneys at Phillips Law Group to learn more about hotel sexual assault lawsuits.
Businesses that invite people to enter their premises have a duty to keep their guests safe. While the specifics of this duty vary somewhat according to the law in the state where the business is located, its basic principle is applicable in every state.
Hotels and motels must protect their guests from crimes committed by other guests, hotel staff, and intruders. Businesses offering rooms to paying guests should provide:
Other protective measures may be appropriate depending on the property’s location, clientele, and other factors.
An attorney from Phillips Law Group can investigate the circumstances surrounding a hotel sexual assault case. When they find evidence that the property’s owner or operator did not take reasonable steps to protect guests from criminal attacks, they can file a civil lawsuit. The hotel’s liability is based solely on its failure to protect against violence toward its patrons, and the outcome of any criminal proceeding against the assailant is irrelevant.
When a hotel did not use reasonable care to ensure safety, a guest could sue the property owner or operator, or both, for their losses. Depending on the circumstances, other parties also could be liable.
The survivor could claim the cost of any medical treatment required for physical injuries and the psychological impact of the assault. Damages could include the cost of medication to treat anxiety or insomnia, therapy, support groups, and incidental expenses required to access these resources. If a survivor misses work after the assault, they could claim lost wages and the value of any paid time off used during their recovery.
Survivors can also claim damages for pain and suffering. These damages could encompass elements such as challenges with intimacy after an assault, new fears of being alone or travel, and other factors that diminish the quality of the survivor’s life post-assault.
Hotel staff whose duties bring them to the guest rooms are vulnerable to assaults by guests. In most states, workers cannot sue their employer for the assault. They must rely on the workers’ compensation program for medical care and a partial wage while they are unable to work.
A survivor assaulted at work could potentially sue their employer in some states. In all states and depending on the circumstances, they may have a legal claim against a third party. An attorney can review the laws in the state where the incident occurred and advise a hotel sexual assault survivor about their civil lawsuit options.
If you were raped or sexually abused while staying in a hotel or motel, you can hold the property responsible for failing to protect you. Phillips Law Group pursues hotel sexual assault lawsuits on behalf of survivors.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group are both skilled litigators who will fight to get you justice and compassionate human beings who will handle your case with sensitivity. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your hotel sexual assault case.
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