Sacramento, CA asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Landlord - Tenant and Wrongful Death for California

Q: Can hotel staff enter your room to check and see if you are okay after another guest alerts staff that they were worried

My father died from complications from pneumonia after he was face first on the floor of his hotel room for 3 days. My dad's friend alerted the hotel staff that he was very worried about my dad and thought that they should open my dad's room and check on my dad. The hotel staff dismissed my dad's friend. My dad's friend took his concerns to a social worker who called the paramedics and then my dad's room was opened and my dad was found unconscious. My dad died in the hospital 11 days later. The hotel staff initially dismissed the social workers concerns and then lied to the social worker and told her that my dad was fine and that my dad had been seen the day before outside of the hotel. The social worker knew she was being lied to because my dad had mobility issues .Is the hotel liable for not acting upon the concern about my dad's well being?

1 Lawyer Answer
William John Light
William John Light
Answered
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Possibly. Although, if there were concerns about your father's health, there was nothing stopping his friend from also calling 911. He didn't have to stop at calling the hotel front desk. As a result, there is likely a huge causation issue. Nevertheless, a consultation with a wrongful death attorney would be worthwhile to discuss all aspects of the potential claim.

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