Marriott Hotel Franchise Accused of Premises Liability in Parking Garage

The Marriott Hotel has distanced itself from a premises liability filed against one of its franchise locations in Connecticut in which the hotel was accused of failing to exercise due care and security in one of its parking garages. It was approximately three years ago that a woman was raped while in her vehicle in the parking garage of a Marriot Hotel and Spa in Stamford, Connecticut. Her two children, both under the age of 7 at the time, were forced to be witnesses to the horrendous crime. The woman has now filed a premises liability lawsuit against the hotel because of what she believes was inadequate security in and monitoring of the parking garage. The damages that the woman is seeking have not yet been specified by her attorney. The woman has also accused Marriott of attempting to intimidate her and her family into foregoing the lawsuit altogether. She claims that they threatened to disclose the identities of her and her family to the general public. The Marriott has denied any such claims and says that they have never attempted or even come close to to disclosing those identities to anyone.

Marriott did, however, potentially make a mistake in their defense against the woman’s premises liability claims. Attorneys from Marriott’s insurance company in Connecticut made the claim that the woman herself failed to exercise adequate care for herself, her safety, and the safety of her children while in the parking garage of the Marriott Hotel in Connecticut. The statement shocked women’s advocates all over the nation, and after learning of what was said in the courtroom, the Marriott International Chain urged those lawyers to retract their defense. Because of the strong outcry that has occurred from women’s advocates, the Marriot International Chain has distanced itself from the proceedings and left it in the hands of the franchise in Connecticut.

Although it is unlikely that the Marriott lawyers meant harm in their defense, many believe that they are virtually laying the blame on the woman for the traumatic events that happened to her. After seeing and hearing the reaction of outraged and offended guests and citizens, the lawyers apologized for the wordage used during the defense and assured those involved that they had no intention of placing responsibility for the rape on the victim. It is not yet clear how the Marriott lawyers will proceed from here on out in the trial.

There are many victims of sexual assault who don’t know where to turn for help. Oftentimes, personal injury law offices are the best place to go for support in sexual assault claims. Personal injury attorneys help victims get compensation for the wrongs that have been committed against them. In the case of the rape victim and Marriott Hotel, her lawyers are undoubtedly working to help her receive damages for the crimes committed against her while on the hotel’s property. In this instance they are filing a premises liability lawsuit against the hotel for what they believe were inadequate security conditions.

If you are ever injured due to the negligence or intentional harm of others in California, consider hiring San Diego or Los Angeles personal injury attorneys to help you deal with your case.