Hotels are supposed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for guests to relax – and you may rely on that when you book your reservations this year for a vacation.
However, hotels often fail to provide adequate security measures, which can put you and your family at great risk of harm. This kind of “negligent security” is a serious issue, leading to assaults, robberies and even death.
What types of security measures should hotels have in place?
Negligent security at hotels refers to situations where a hotel fails to take reasonable measures to protect guests from foreseeable harm caused by criminal activity. Hotel owners and managers aren’t ignorant of the dangers to their guests, so they cannot pretend not to know that safety is an issue.
Their obligation can intensify if they are aware of previous problems on the hotel’s property, whether due to thefts in the parking lot or break-ins in guests’ rooms.
Some of the measures hotels might be expected to take to protect guests include having:
- Properly trained security personnel who can monitor the premises
- Properly trained staff who can respond to emergencies
- Clear communication with guests about known hazards (like a rash of thefts in other, nearby hotels)
- Security cameras in common areas, such as lobbies, hallways and parking lots to discourage criminal activity
- Adequate lighting in all public areas, including stairwells and hallways or areas around vending and ice machines
- Secure entry points, such as keycard access, that limit access to hotel guests and staff only and keep out strangers
- Adequate screening procedures for visitors and vendors so that they’re not inviting a predator into the hotel
When hotels fail to step up and take adequate security measures (usually because of the inconvenience or cost), they can be held responsible for injuries and other losses. This can include things like your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Injuries and other personal losses aren’t what anybody expects to bring home from vacation. If you’re injured through your hotel’s negligent security, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance.