A premises liability case may claim hotel liability if it has inadequate security. This would depend on whether or not reasonable care was exercised to maximize safety.
Hotel Liability When a Patron Has Been Injured
Injuries stemming from a lack of security could result in the hotel being liable. This can stem from violence or criminal acts by other guests or third parties. However, it usually must be proven that there was negligence involved.
This means that the injuries a guest sustained would have been foreseeable by the hotel. An example would be failing to lock an entry into the side of the hotel. If someone were to come in and cause an injury, it may be considered foreseeable that this could happen.
It can be a little more challenging if another guest was responsible for causing injury because it is generally difficult for a hotel to foresee this. As a result, several factors will need to be considered, such as what led to the injury and what type of security was lacking (personnel, locks, etc.).
Types of Inadequate Security in a Hotel
There are many different circumstances in which a hotel may demonstrate a lack of security. As already mentioned, unlocked entryways is one example. But it also could include malfunctioning or unused locks on doors and windows.
In addition, the guest’s room might be lacking in security if others can see in through a peephole, there is a missing chain lock, a telephone isn’t provided to make an emergency call, or if sliding glass doors don’t have blocking devices (bars) or an alarm system to indicate it’s been opened. These are just some examples.
An attorney from the Law Office of Jason R. Schultz can help determine if a hotel’s negligence regarding inadequate security may be cited in a personal injury claim and if a claim against the hotel can be filed. Call us at (404) 474-0804 and download our eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Accident Cases in Georgia – The Truth About Your Injury Case.