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South Carolina Hotels and Motels Injuries Lawyer
Legal help when negligent security leads to assaults and injuries in hotels, motels, Air BnBs, and inns
Negligent security in hotels and motels refers to situations where the establishment fails to provide adequate security measures, leading to harm or injury to guests or visitors. Hotels and motels have a duty to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and security of their guests. When they fail to do so, they may be held liable for any resulting harm.
The South Carolina negligent security attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC hold premises owners responsible when you suffer assault or injury in a hotel, motel, inn, Air BnB, or other similar property. With millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and jury verdicts for our clients, we have the experience and the tenacity to help you or a loved one when you are injured or suffer losses through no fault of your own.
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How Can We Help?
- What is a South Carolina negligent security case?
- What types of incidents can occur in hotels and motels with inadequate security?
- Who is liable for my South Carolina negligent security claim?
- Do you have a negligent security attorney near me?
What is a South Carolina negligent security case?
A negligent security case against a motel or hotel can arise when a guest or visitor is harmed due to the establishment's failure to provide adequate security measures. These cases typically involve the claim that the motel or hotel was negligent in its duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for guests. Here's an example of a negligent security case involving a motel:
A guest staying at a motel is assaulted and robbed in the parking lot while returning to their room late at night. The parking lot is poorly lit, lacks security cameras, and there are no security personnel present.
In this scenario, if it can be demonstrated that the motel was aware of previous criminal incidents or the likelihood of such incidents occurring due to inadequate security measures, and they failed to address those risks, the motel may be considered negligent.
Other examples of negligent security can include:
- Emergency response issues. Inadequate emergency preparedness, such as the absence of proper fire safety measures, lack of functioning alarms, or inadequate staff training, can jeopardize guest safety during emergencies and lead to increased harm or injuries.
- Negligent hiring and training. Failure to properly screen and train staff can result in incidents such as theft, assaults, or invasions of privacy by employees who may have malicious intentions or lack the necessary skills to maintain a secure environment.
If successful in establishing a negligent security claim, the guest may be entitled to compensation for damages. This can include medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, property loss, and any other relevant losses resulting from the incident.
It's important to consult with our attorneys, who are experienced in premises liability and negligent security cases, to evaluate the specific details of the incident and assess the viability of a claim against the motel or hotel. We can provide legal guidance and information pertinent to your specific case.
What types of incidents can occur in hotels and motels with inadequate security?
Hotels and motels with negligent security measures can be susceptible to various types of incidents that can pose risks to guests and visitors. These incidents can include:
- Assaults and robberies. Inadequate security measures, such as insufficient lighting, lack of security personnel, or malfunctioning locks, can increase the risk of guests being subjected to physical assaults or robberies by intruders or other guests.
- Shootings. It’s not illegal to carry a firearm into a hotel or motel, but guests should be reasonably certain they will not be shot while staying there. Failure to install surveillance cameras, safes with locks, or adequate lighting can leave a hotel/motel open to liability.
- Burglaries and thefts. If the hotel or motel fails to implement proper security measures, such as secure entry systems, surveillance cameras, or safes in rooms, guests may be vulnerable to burglaries and theft of their personal belongings.
- Sexual assault or sex trafficking. Insufficient security measures can contribute to an environment where guests (like women and children) may be exposed to sexual assault by staff or other guests.
- Drownings. Any establishment with a pool should have adequate safety measures in place to ensure that visitors cannot access that pool off-hours. This means installing gates and/or locking doors and adequate lighting; it may also mean providing life-saving equipment and/or a lifeguard during the day.
- Unauthorized room entry. If the hotel or motel does not have effective access control systems or fails to monitor room key distribution, there is a risk of unauthorized individuals gaining access to guests' rooms, potentially resulting in theft, invasion of privacy, or harm.
These incidents can result in physical injuries, emotional distress, financial losses, and damage to personal property. It is the responsibility of hotels, motels, and inns to implement reasonable security measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of their guests and visitors.
Who is liable for my South Carolina negligent security claim?
Liability for a hotel or motel negligent security claim can depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. The following parties can potentially be held liable for a hotel negligent security claim in South Carolina:
- Hotel, motel, inn, or Air BnB owner. The owner of the premises may be held liable if they fail to provide reasonable security measures to ensure the safety of their guests. This includes implementing adequate lighting, surveillance systems, access control measures, and security personnel based on the property’s risk level.
- Hotel operator/management company. If the hotel or motel is operated or managed by a separate entity or management company, they may also be held liable for negligent security if they were responsible for maintaining the security of the premises and failed to fulfill their duty of care.
- Security company. If the property has contracted a security company to provide security services, the security company may be held liable for any negligence or failure to provide adequate security measures that contributed to the incident.
- Third parties. In some cases, liability may extend to third parties if they were directly involved in the incident. For example, if an assault or theft was committed by a staff member, that individual may be held personally liable in addition to potential liability on the part of the hotel.
Determining liability in negligent security claims can be complex and requires a thorough examination of the specific facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips can help investigate your case.Top of Form
Do you have a negligent security attorney near me?
McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC is located at 1539 Health Care Drive in Rock Hill, SC. If you are too ill or injured to visit us, we can see you in the hospital or meet via telephone or video conference.
We also maintain offices in or near Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville, and serve clients throughout the State of South Carolina in all 46 counties, including Sumter, Anderson, Orangeburg, Hilton Head, Aiken, and Spartanburg.
Experienced South Carolina hotel and motel negligent security law firm
If you or a loved one were injured or assaulted at a motel, hotel, inn, or Air BnB, the attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips are here to help. We know how to hold the correct parties responsible and work to secure compensation for your losses. To schedule a free case evaluation, call our offices at 803-327-7800 or fill out our contact form today. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, proudly serves people throughout South Carolina.