What to Do If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted at a Hotel

From budget motels to luxury resorts, hotels are supposed to provide safe environments for their guests. Unfortunately, however, even the most highly rated hotels can be the scenes of criminal activity, including violent crimes such as sexual assault. Whether the assault was committed by another guest, a third party who made their way on to the premises, or one of the hotel’s own employees, it can be difficult to know where to turn if you’ve been sexually assaulted at a hotel. Here are some of the most important steps to take:

• Document potential evidence of the crime. Take photos of the crime scene and any visible injuries you may have, record any details you remember, and if there were any witnesses, speak to them and ask for their contact information.
• Notify hotel management. Insurance companies generally require hotels to file a report whenever they become aware of a criminal incident on the premises. Ask to speak to a manager and notify them of your experience, providing as much detail as you can while being sure to stick to the facts.
• Report the incident to law enforcement. Filing a police report as soon as possible can help improve the chances that the perpetrator will be brought to justice, and can also be valuable to your case if you choose to pursue a civil lawsuit.
• Seek medical attention. In addition to getting treatment for your injuries, having medical records documenting any evidence of the assault will also be important in a lawsuit.
• Contact an attorney with experience handling sexual assault cases. As with other commercial properties, hotels have a duty to provide reasonable security measures to help deter crime and keep their guests safe. For example, hotels should ensure that guest rooms are equipped with functioning locks on both the doors and windows, common spaces—such as stairways, parking lots, and courtyards—are well-lit, and employees are properly screened and required to undergo background checks if appropriate. If the hotel fails to implement these security measures, they may potentially be held liable for criminal incidents, including sexual assaults, that take place on their properties.

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With extensive experience handling negligent security lawsuits against hotels and other businesses, the team of attorneys at Leighton Law offers both the skill and the compassion needed to represent sexual assault victims. If you have experienced sexual assault or another violent incident while staying at a hotel in Florida, call us today at 888.988.1774 to schedule a consultation.