Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

I recently found myself in South Florida at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel where I was attending a wedding. The property is simply beautiful and one of the most highly rated hotels in the country. However, as an experienced traveler, I had one of the most disappointing hotel experiences ever including what I consider to be a breach of security and invasion of privacy which had the potential to lead to a dangerous and unfortunate outcome. I posted a review on tripadvisor.com and upon reading other reviews, noted several similar negative experiences concerning items disappearing from the room and other issues that could lead to potential liability for the hotel operator.

As an experienced hotel inadequate security and hotel premise liability lawyer, my experience and the experience of others as mentioned on various travel advisory websites, including but not limited to tripadvisor.com, call to mind the old adage that one should never judge a book by its cover. When you go to a 5 star hotel such as the Mandarin Oriental it is nice to assume that general hotel security measures will be in force, but one should not fall into a zone of absolute comfort and security. During the Thanksgiving holiday season, many of our readers will travel away from their homes and expect that their hotel will be their safe “home away from home”. Hopefully it is the rare occasion where one will run into a safety issue at a hotel; however, chance favors the prepared mind and it pays to always take a bit of precaution even at the finest hotels.

Never let anyone in your room unless you can accurately verify who the individual is. Take a rubber door stop which can prevent unauthorized entry to the room. Try not to exit or walk in dimly lit areas without another person or security. If you are a female, ask for a female server if you use room service. Always use the in-room safe. While the safety and privacy of hotel/motel resort and cruise ship guests should be a top priority for hotel owners and operators, unfortunately many times this is not the case. Typically we do not learn about inadequate security, invasion of privacy, or premise liability situations at hotels until an easily avoidable tragedy has occurred.

The Pennsylvania inadequate security and premise liability law firm of Reiff and Bily has over three decades of experience handling negligent security cases on behalf of victims who have been assaulted, robbed, or had an invasion of privacy at a hotel, motel, or resort. If you have suffered a physical injury, robbery, or assault because of negligent security or breach of security, we will begin an immediate investigation of your case to preserve evidence and properly prepare your case against the wrongdoer. Our skilled premise liability lawyers have been protecting the rights of injured consumers since 1979, and always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Recently a young boy drowned while swimming at night in a swimming pool owned by a major hotel chain while attending a wedding reception. Although alcohol was involved, there were numerous other violations pointing to owner/operator negligence for swimming pool operations and premise liability which led to the tragic death. Recently I was a guest at another major hotel chain with an indoor pool and was surprised to notice that the hotel did not secure the pool at night by locking doors even though claiming it was closed during evening hours. The hotel’s actions indicated that guests were allowed to swim at night and the area was dimly and darkly lit. The hotel also had business and social functions ongoing in the lobby and bar areas and it was very possible for guests who were intoxicated to enter the pool.

In the hotel swimming pool drowning accident case where the boy drowned, an aquatic safety consultant was retained and stated that the hotel was negligent in that it failed to secure the pool at night with locked doors or gates even though they claimed it was closed during evening hours. Routine pool controls and patrols were not conducted for safety and the pool was lacking safety signs, rescue and resuscitation equipment. There was no one on staff ultimately in charge of the pool and in fact, many of the safety breaches which led to the finding of liability on behalf of the hotel chain were in violation of the company’s written policies.

As an experienced Philadelphia hotel safety and Philadelphia swimming pool accident lawyer for over thirty years, I understand that safety is priority number one and that hotels and motels owe the highest duty of care to those who visit the premises as customers to insure their safety and protect them from significant harm or death. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a swimming pool accident, please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

What started out as an evening event with laughter, smiles, cider, and ginger snaps for a large family group ended up as a frightful hayride adventure resulting in broken bones, bruises, neck and back injuries when the seats and trailer being pulled by the truck broke apart. One of the young ladies was pinned underneath the side of the trailer that fell. According to one of the parties, the trailer had a shaky feel to it and as it gained speed going down the hill seemed to disintegrate.

Haunted hayrides seem innocuous and innocent to those of us who welcome Fall and look forward “Kodak” moments with the kids. Unfortunately, dangers that lurk about hayrides are not limited to those dressed in costumes attempting to scare the daylights out of you. The real dangers lie in defectively manufactured, designed and maintained trailers, that are covered with hay and blankets, and often overloaded when they carry the hay riders. Many times hayrides are operated by profit driven individuals or businesses who fail to understand that safety of the rider is paramount to profitability. Hayride operators owe a duty to their riders to properly maintain and inspect the trailer, seats, and railings, as well as provide proper and safe control and supervision of the riders. Many times the truck is being operated by someone with a curious or questionable background and if they take a sharp turn or make a sudden stop or travel too quickly down a hill, there may be an accident waiting to happen. According to news reports, this past weekend many hayride accidents occurred throughout the United States due to failure to have proper safety restraints or restrictions and governance.

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to those injured in hayride accidents. While I don’t wish to take the fun out of life, I just want you to make sure that before you go on a hayride, do a little bit of due diligence and recognize that accidents do happen. Make sure the facility has an excellent record of success and safety and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The experienced hayride and amusement accident and premise liability lawyers of Reiff & Bily have evaluated thousands of cases involving catastrophic injuries, broken arms, and unfortunately wrongful deaths, and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims and their families. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As a Philadelphia car accident and catastrophic injury lawyer who has been representing catastrophically injured victims, and their families, for more then three decades, I worry that internet and television marketing by many lawyers has led to a high number of victims and their families receiving what many would consider to be improper and inadequate legal representation. Many lawyers just look for an “Easy A”. Too many times attorneys hoping to earn a quick and easy referral fee will spend tens of thousands of dollars even hundreds of thousands of dollars a month designing websites or TV advertising that inaccurately portrays their abilities. It is the goal of these attorneys to make perspective clients believe they are hiring experienced attorneys, who have recovered multi-million dollar verdicts, and are amongst the top car accident lawyers, truck accident lawyers, S.U.V. van rollover lawyers, medical malpractice lawyers, and Products liability lawyers in the field.

Lately I have received an alarming number of phone calls from seriously injured car and truck accident victims who were mislead by what I call a “parasite lawyer”. A “parasite lawyer” is a lawyer who oftentimes lacks experience but attempts to conceal this by purchasing “black hat” internet links and creating embellished website content to make prospective clients believe they are hiring an experienced lawyer or law firm to represent their legal interests when in reality they are hiring a lawyer who simply thereafter refers their case to another attorney for a fee. I call this the “Easy A” system whereby an inexperienced attorney, or an attorney who has no interest in representing you or your loved ones, tacks a fee onto your recovery for doing nothing more then referring your case to another attorney. Frequently many of these marketing attorneys operate their websites from out of state and have creative advertising joint and cooperative ventures with other lawyers and law firms creating the illusion that they are something more then they really are. Always pay attention to the disclaimers and small print at the bottom or end of the advertisement as it quickly passes you by.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, truck accident, tractor trailer accident, bus accident, boat accident, S.U.V roll over accident, 15 passenger van rollover accident, amusement park accidents, premise liability accident, slip and fall accident, burned in a fire, bitten or attacked by a dog, the victim of inadequate security, falsely imprisoned, sexually assaulted, injured on a cruise ship, injured on a plane, in a construction accident or injured as a result of a defective product or medical malpractice you may be eligible to recover for your injuries.

As an experienced and highly rated Pennsylvania Super Lawyer with decades of experience, whose law firm has handled and collected hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for catastrophically injured victims, and their families, as well as those who have sustained wrongful deaths, I strongly advise that you personally interview the attorney who will be handling your legal case. Do not be afraid to ask for references. Make sure that he or she is regularly available to meet and speak with you about your case as it develops. Make sure your case is not being handed over to a paralegal or newly graduated lawyer who might lack the required experience. Inquire whether or not the lawyer has ever had any disciplinary issues or is even licensed to practice law in your state. Inquire about independent and non biased reviews of your lawyer from third party ranking or rating organization. Check the attorney's ranking on Avvo or the Martindale-Hubble record of standing. Never be afraid to get a second opinion from another lawyer if you don't like what you are hearing or don't feel comfortable as the case develops.

After all you only get one bite at the apple, and the selection of your lawyer may be one of the most important lifetime decisions that you will ever make.
Chance will always favor the prepared mind.

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a $4 million dollar jury award for a couple robbed and injured in 2008 at a Jackson, Mississippi extended stay motel. During an attack at the hotel, the victims sustained facial damage and a permanent eye injury, as well as post traumatic stress disorder after hearing the assailants talk about a rape during the physical attack. Although the victim was not raped and the three assailants were never captured, the verdict insures that the motel guests will now have necessary money for medical care. Additionally as a result of the verdict, a significant message was sent to the motel who subsequently upgraded motel security making it a safer place for customers and employees.

As an experienced Pennsylvania hotel attack, and negligent security lawyer, it is important that hotel owners and operators be held accountable when they fail to protect their customers from crime and attacks. While many of us read bold advertisements boasting about new and special beds or renovated rooms, it is essential for hotel and motel operators to insure the safety and privacy of motel guests as a top priority. As experienced hotel attack and negligent security lawyers, we are very well aware that this is not always the case. In the instant case, the facts reveal that the hotel operator had ignored the safety of its employees and customers. Facts were alleged stating that the manager had been robbed four times at gun point in the six months leading up to the victims attack and the manager of the hotel was begging the corporate office for a security guard to protect the guests and employees of the hotel and he was turned down. The couple alleged in the lawsuit that the hotel operator knew or should have known that it had inadequate security and that strangers, trespassers, and loiters frequently came into the property.

Since 1979, the experienced premises liability and inadequate security and hotel attack lawyers of the Philadelphia personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily have aggressively represented clients who have been injured on another’s premises. If you or a loved one has sustained a physical injury or robbery due to negligent security or hotel attack, it is best to contact an experienced hotel attack and negligent security lawyer to begin an immediate investigation into your case, as well as preserve evidence to properly prepare your case. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. We are greedy for justice in protecting the rights of injured consumers since 1979. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Pennsylvania swimming pool, drowning, and water accident attorney who also has investigated many amusement and water park catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases over the last three decades, I am always sad to learn of news concerning the death of a young child.

On Wednesday, July 6, 2011, a six year old boy was killed after jumping into a swimming pool at Knoebels Crystal Pool located in Elysburg, North Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. According to news reports, life guards found the boy under water and pulled him from the pool and performed CPR. He was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center where he later died. The cause of death is not known and is under investigation. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the 6-year old. According to news sources, the boy was said to be in the shallow end of the pool, jumping in and out of the water.

It appears that the summer of 2011 is unfortunately proving to be one quantified by catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths at local amusement parks, swimming pools, and water parks, as well as drownings at private and public swimming pools.

As an experienced Pennsylvania water park, amusement park, and swimming pool accident attorney, I am curious why the child was not spotted sooner and whether or not the water park had proper supervision and training of life guards and safety personnel, whether the pool was properly maintained, and whether or not there were breaches of any of the federal and state guidelines concerning the operation of the swimming pool and amusement attractions. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the victim for their tragic and heartbreaking loss and we ask that all of our readers keep this grieving family in their thoughts and prayers.

Continue reading "Boy Dies In Pennsylvania Amusement Park Swimming Pool Accident - Experienced Pennsylvania Swimming Pool and Water Accident Attorney Weighs In" »

Many hotels and motels are now requiring housekeepers and security staff to know more than how to clean. For security purposes, hotel maids are being taught to become more savvy about signs of dangerous drugs left behind by guests or in rooms that would indicate the potential for suspicious behavior. Some hotel and motel officials claim that rooms were rented temporarily and set up as drug manufacturing or meth labs. Obviously this presents a dangerous situation for other guests or employees in the hotel, as well as preventing employees and other guests from the dangers of exposure to chemicals utilized in the drug manufacturing process. Housekeepers are advised to keep their eyes peeled for danger signs left in rooms including but not limited to acetone, Muriatic acid, Ephedrine based cold tablets, bunsen burners, blow torches, or liter plastic bottles filled with tubes. Hotel security has also been advised to express concern to motel or hotel operators if they see many garbage bags in a room or a lot of matchbook covers left behind and are increasingly being trained to watch out for abnormal behavior.

Hotel attacks in inadequate security or negligent security cases generally involve the failure of motel and hotel owners to implement reasonable and ordinary safety and security measures for the protection of their customers from crime. The experienced Philadelphia hotel attack and inadequate security lawyers of Reiff & Bily know that in a tightened economy many hotel and motel owners and operators take shortcuts as they are more often concerned about profits rather than safety. Unfortunately our skilled and experienced Pennsylvania hotel and motel injury and attack lawyers learn about inadequate security or hotel attack cases after an easily avoidable tragedy occurs.

Continue reading "Many Hotel Workers and Maids Are Being Trained To Identify Signs Of Dangerous Drugs When Cleaning Rooms and Bathrooms - Hotel Attack and Inadequate Security Lawyer Weighs In" »

The Pennsylvania inadequate security and premises liability law firm of Reiff & Bily has been representing individuals and their families who have been victimized as a result of inadequate hotel security for more than three decades.

In the last year, we have noted a dramatic increase in inquiries concerning hotel safety violations which we felt closely paralleled a tightening economy combined with a decrease in hotel occupancy levels necessitating cut backs on safety, guards, and concerns. Many hotels and motels failed to provide their staff even with the most minimal critical safety training. Failing to recognize that safety must always be a priority and that one headline incident or claim can result in a tremendous loss of business due to negative publicity is a fatal error for many hotel and motel operators. While many hotel chains advertise that the new comfortable bed is their number one priority, they never speak about safety or security.

Hotel operators and owners are obligated to protect the safety and lives of hotel guests and staff through their preventive security measures. Even today as I check in almost regularly to some fairly high end hotels, I note that many of the corridors are poorly lit and there are tunnels, nooks, or crannies in parking lots or building spaces where crimes can easily be committed. New or inexpensive technology is an important part of meeting hotel safety requirements such as closed circuit cameras in elevators, hallways, and parking lots. If a hotel or motel is located in an intercity or high crime area, the owner and operator has an obligation to take steps to secure the premises by hiring highly qualified security guards as well as training the staff and implementing safety procedures to ultimately insure the safety of their customers.

Continue reading "Hotel Security Lawyer Notes A Dramatic Increase In Hotel Inadequate Security Related Claims" »

On the evening of October 22nd and 23rd, Joseph Finley claimed that his wife Laura was murdered inside the Biltmore Hotel where he and his wife had checked in as paying guests when he was in Los Angeles auditioning for “America’s Got Talent”. News sources indicate that Laura Finley was beaten to death inside the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Joe Finley alleged that it was because of “the luxury hotel’s shoddy security”. A complaint was filed against Millennium and Copthorne Hotels LLC d/b/a Millennium Biltmore Hotel. It was alleged that the Biltmore’s 683 guest rooms were booked “at or near capacity” the night Laura Finley was killed but Finley alleges that there was inadequate security because the hotel was remodeling its first and second floors which had become a crash pad for transients. Finley further alleges that the Biltmore knew of the trespasses and “other serious crimes against hotel guests and their property, including but not limited to assaults with deadly weapons, thefts, and other disturbances by transients and other uninvited parties”. Finley also claims that the dangers were obvious, “as evidenced by the following items scattered on those two floors: (1) open alcohol bottles, (2) empty food containers, (3) filthy clothing, (4) cigarette butts, (5) wrappers, (6) bottles full of urine, and (7) dirty blankets. More telling, he claims, is the door which lead to the street was propped open by a piece of brick that was tied to that door by a shoestring. During their first night at the Biltmore, Finley claims his wife was locked out of her room and in the morning a Biltmore security officer found her at the bottom of the staircase, naked from the waist up wearing only pants inside out with her diamond rings missing. Finley claims his wife was “murdered by a transient or uninvited third party who gained access to the defendant Biltmore Hotel through the unsecured floor on the first floor of the hotel which was near where Laura Finley’s body was found. Finley and his three children by their lawyers demanded damages for wrongful death and negligence.

Inadequate and negligent security legal cases involve the failure of business proprietors such as hotel and motel owners and operators to implement reasonable and ordinary security measures for the protection of their customers from crime necessary for the protection of customers. Safety and privacy of hotel and motel guests should be the top priority for owners and operators. However, this many times is not the case. Usually we hear about an inadequate security case after an easily avoidable tragedy occurs.

Continue reading "Man Alleges Hotel Responsible For His Wife’s Murder As She Was A Guest" »

On November 14, 2010, a powerful explosion ripped through the Grand Riviera Princess Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Seven people were killed. The investigation indicated that a leaking gas line was to blame. Although eight emergency phone calls were made to secure medical attention, hotel security forces prevented ambulances and police from entering the resort complex, stranding all emergency personnel at least a kilometer from the blast site.

As an experienced negligent security and premises liability attorney, this situation presents what appears to be in my opinion a “train wreck” with evidence of gross negligence. In fact, reports indicate that one of the hotel representatives or managers in the lobby was quoted as saying “stop everyone” to security guards when emergency forces went to enter the premises. To add insult to injury, according to news reports, the hotel staff chased away journalists and investigators, beating them with sticks and fire extinguishers. This is a classic example of placing image and profitability over safety. Nothing is more precious than a human life and rather than let those properly trained to attend to the victims, frantic hotel workers untrained in safety and medical procedures with inadequate safety equipment and having no idea how to deal with an emergency attended to the unfortunate victims. In fact, the wife of a gentleman who passed away with her son in the explosion stated that a lifeguard showed up with a box of band aids.

As an experienced hotel safety and inadequate security and premise liability lawyer, I am very much aware that the safety of hotel, motel, resort, and cruise ship guests must be a top priority for owners and operators. Safety of guests should never be an option. Unfortunately this is often not the case, as this case indicates. It is essential that hotel and motel owners be oriented towards the security and safety of guests. If they had been in the situation at hand, perhaps 7 lives and countless other catastrophic injuries could have been saved and/or prevented.

Since 1979, the experienced inadequate security and hotel safety lawyers of the Pennsylvania hotel safety law firm of Reiff & Bily have aggressively represented clients and their families who have been injured on the premises or resort of another, including hotels, motels, inns, apartment homes, shopping malls, casinos, and cruise ships. Effective January 1, 2011 the Reiff & Bily law firm has joined forces with the legendary Beasley Firm in Philadelphia who since 1958 has been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of their clients and have hundreds of millions and multi-million dollar verdicts, settlements, and awards to their credit.

For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.

A confidential settlement has been made between the Marriott Hotel and a woman identified as Jane Doe who was sexually assaulted in the Stamford Marriott parking lot in front of her children at gunpoint. The assailant was a native of Danbury, CT and a transient carpenter and had evidently roamed the Marriott parking garage looking for victims before targeting a then 40-year-old mother. A report was made indicating that another woman called the police reporting that a man matching the assailant’s description had been following her around the garage approximately an hour before the attack. Another woman reported that her ATM card was stolen from the garage that afternoon. The complaint filed alleged that the assailant had been in the hotel garage acting suspiciously for days leading up to the sexual assault and further that hotel security staff failed to notice him or make him leave. According to a deposition in the case, the hotel had no security director or internal security police at the time of the assault. Lawyers hired by Marriott attempted to claim that the victim was careless and negligent and failed to exercise due care for her own safety and the safety of her children. Safety and privacy of hotel and motel guests should be the top priority for owners and operators of hotels, particularly Marriott.

As an experienced inadequate and negligent security lawyer who has handled a number of inadequate security cases involving assaults and attacks at hotels and apartment houses, I am all too familiar with situations involving poorly lit corridors, tunnels, nooks, crannies, parking lots, and other areas where crimes can easily be committed. In the case at hand, the prior behavior of the assailant, which was reported to the hotel staff, should have led them to take action to investigate and remove him from the premises. The fact that the hotel had no security director or internal security police is a significant factor in determining liability. Of course, each case is unique. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury or assault while in a hotel or apartment house, it is important to contact an experienced inadequate security and hotel attack lawyer who has the resources and investigators to carefully analyze the circumstances of the injury and work with the appropriate law enforcement officials. It is important to examine past incidents of criminal abuse at the location and surrounding areas that should have put the property owner on actual or constructive notice that the facility was potentially dangerous to customers and visitors.

Any casual reader of the news understands that over the last few years the number of assaults and attacks on a small and large level has risen sharply when it comes to hotels. Most hotels offer easy access with a comparatively low security and inadequate measures. In a tightened economy, chances are many of the security guards have been improperly trained or are temporary. When people go to hotels they are generally there to relax and so they may not always have their guard up and often falsely assume that they are safer than at home. In this tightening economy, obviously the level of risk of an assault or an attack increases and therefore, in this inadequate security and hotel attack lawyer’s opinion, it is extraordinarily important to have visible security measures to deter an assault or an attack. I have even noticed false and inoperable closed circuit cameras in some hotels and motels which is just a joke. Anybody who is carefully planning an attack will normally be very much aware of this situation. If you are at a hotel and observe suspicious activity, you should notify the desk at once and make sure they act upon it.

If you or a loved one is injured at a hotel due to inadequate security, please feel free to contact one of the inadequate security and premise liability lawyers of Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. Our record of success speaks for itself, and as always, we do not get paid unless we make a successful recovery on your behalf.

A jury recently awarded millions of dollars to the estate of a 20-year-old and 17-year-old who were in their apartment when an intruder entered and fatally shot them. Although the crime remains unsolved, the mother of the slain siblings, on behalf of their estate, sued the company that owned and managed the premises alleging negligent security. Important to the decision is the fact that the plaintiffs offered evidence that for several months preceding the crime the complex front entrance gate was frequently broken and left open and that in the previous three years there were nearly 20 crimes permitted on the premises. Despite this factor, the plaintiffs claimed that management failed to properly warn tenants or properly repair the gate or make other safety provisions. They also contended that while the gate was broken, the complex should have posted a security guard at the entrance to check the identification of guests and record license plate numbers of entering vehicles, actions which would have deterred intruders.

When many people visit hotels or resorts, they assume that they are safe if not safer than being at home. However, many times just the opposite proves to be true. As an inadequate security and premises liability lawyer who has handled many cases of physical attacks in hotels and other premise liability matters, I am quite familiar with sexual assaults and physical assaults that have occurred in hotel or resort settings. Sometimes rapes or attacks are caused by hotel employees or outsiders due to inadequate security. It takes expertise of an inadequate security lawyer and premise liability lawyer to fully investigate the case and hold the responsible parties accountable for fair compensation and to hold the attackers criminally responsible for their actions. In this crippled economy, inadequate security and criminal assault cases are becoming more and more frequent.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, while a guest at a resort, hotel, or while on a cruise ship, please contact one of the inadequate security and premise liability lawyers at Reiff & Bily for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

On Sunday, October 17, 2010 news sources claimed that three tourists were attacked and robbed in their room in two separate attacks at the Grotto Bay Beach Hotel in Hamilton, Bermuda. According to the news source, a man brandishing a bladed article and blunt object demanded money from an elderly couple staying at the hotel. The man gained entry into the hotel at 5:10 a.m. and escaped with a quantity of cash. The two American victims, a 60-year old man and 61-year old woman, were injured and taken to a Bermuda hospital for treatment. Another man gained entry to a hotel room at the Wharf Hotel in Bermuda at 4:00 a.m. demanding money from the occupant.

As a Pennsylvania inadequate security and premises liability lawyer, I recognize that the safety and privacy of hotel, motel, resort, and cruise ship guests must be the top priority for owners and operators of these establishments. However, many times this is simply not the case. The lack of security in hotels often leads to tragic consequences. Many times hotels have poorly lit corridors, tunnels, nooks, crannies and other areas where crimes are easily committed. Hotel owners must be oriented towards the security of their guests and must insure that security equipment is installed, maintained, and regularly used, and that their employees and security guards have their employment and criminal backgrounds properly checked. Technology is an important part of meeting today’s security requirements and surprisingly most hotels do not take proper security and staffing procedures and there seems to be an increase of criminal activity in hotels.

Since 1979 the experienced inadequate security lawyers of Reiff & Bily have aggressively represented clients who have been injured on another’s premises including hotels, motels, inns, apartment homes, and shopping malls. Our careful investigation has many times been able to reveal that a breach of security was easily preventable and therefore, the owner of the hotel or property was civilly liable to the injured party for monetary damages. If you have experienced a negligent security or assault case or premise liability case or are a victim of physical assault or robbery, please contact one of our experienced premise liability and inadequate security lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Many times sexual assaults, robberies, and attacks occur in hotels, motels, malls, shopping centers, apartment complexes, stores, amusement parks, parking garages, or other commercial facilities due to inadequate security, inadequate lighting, improper premise or building design.

Unfortunately, as an experienced Philadelphia premises liability and inadequate security lawyer, I have witnessed and investigated many cases involving catastrophic and permanent injuries and unfortunately the death of victims due to inadequate security or poor premise design. Most of the inadequate security and premise cases involve a crime or action that takes place on a property when the owner fails to take proper care and precautions to protect guests and visitors from a hazard which was known or should have been known by the owner.

In this tightening economy, many negligent owners, operators, and landlords take short cuts and do not take the proper steps to insure a safe, crime-free environment. The owner of the property has a duty to exercise reasonable care in the management of the premise to insure that visitors are protected from unreasonable risks of harm. Many people believe that there may not be a case due to the fact that the person who committed the crime may have no assets. However, a proper investigation by an experienced premises liability and inadequate security lawyer can focus on the responsibilities of the property owner and may prove the existence of a safety issue and further prove that the owner or operator failed to do something about it.

Premise liability and inadequate security cases can be extremely expensive to prosecute and require a degree of specialization. It is important to hire a lawyer that specializes in this type of case to make sure that the victim is fully compensated for the injuries sustained. The experienced Pennsylvania premise liability and inadequate security law firm of Reiff & Bily is available for a free no obligation consultation if you or a loved one is a victim of such an offense. For more information contact us online at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

A 7-year girl was gang raped at a crime-ridden apartment building in Trenton, New Jersey after her stepsister sold her to a group of men at a party according to news sources. The incident occurred at Rowan Towers owned by Interstate Realty and Management Company. According to news sources, there have been many lapses of security at this apartment building despite complaints by tenants requesting cameras and a lot of other things to improve their security and safety concerns. A spokesperson for the owner stated that they lack the expertise to handle security on their own and will hire an outside consultant. The apartment complex sits on a stretch of West State Street near downtown Trenton surrounded by blocks of abandoned and boarded up homes, yet it is fronted by a well manicured lawn and features a colorful playground and basketball courts. Safety and privacy of tenants and residents should be and must be a top priority for owners and operators of apartment homes. As this case reveals, many times this is simply not the case. Many times accidents such as this occur at apartment complexes due to poor lighting, inadequate security, and lack of easily affordable technology and security devices such as closed circuit cameras. Because of such inadequate security, many unsuspecting guests or tenants are robbed, shot, killed, raped, stabbed, or assaulted.

Continue reading "Rape Of 7-Year Old At Apartment Building Spotlights Inadequate Security Issues" »

The United States hospitality and hotel industry is struggling through one of the worst financial crisis in more than 20 years. I recently stayed at a brand new 5 star luxury hotel in Florida and the desk manager mentioned to me that his occupancy rate was 30%. Occupancy rates nationwide have been hovering at below 60% this summer. Revenue has taken the steepest dive in 22 years according to industry analysts, and hotel analysts do not expect the hotel industry to rebound to profitability until 2011 or later. Not so surprisingly, headlines are now claiming that terrorists are aiming for hotel and other easier to hit “soft” targets as government security measures continue to improve for more noteworthy and populated facilities. Additionally, there has been an increase in criminal activity and premise liability claims in United States hotels.

Despite the increasing threats and criminal activity, many hotel owners and managers have been reluctant to equip buildings with more security measures which are expensive, cumbersome, and serve to inconvenience guests, but in the long run prove to be worthwhile. More than a billion travelers stay at hotels each year and many of them become victims despite the false sense of security that a locked door and staff provide. As hotels cut back on costs and personnel as the recession worsens, several veterans of the hotel industry state there is greater likelihood of increased burglary and criminal assault. These economic times are prompting cuts in security and driving up incidents of theft including thefts and assaults perpetrated by hotel staff and other premise liability offenses.

The experienced premise liability and inadequate hotel security lawyers of Reiff & Bily have received an increasing amount of calls regarding these issues to represent the unfortunate victims. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of inadequate security at a hotel, please feel free to contact one of our lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced hotel inadequate security and premises liability lawyer, I was quite concerned as I read news reports surrounding the violent stabbing murder of Sara Bejjani at the Essex House in Manhattan by a longtime housekeeping employee.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Bejjani who had been peacefully residing inside the luxury hotel at the time of her stabbing. Shockingly, according to news sources, the 29-year housekeeping manager had worked for the hotel since he was 17 and was known to have a “flash temper.” According to police, he replied that he “showed up drunk” before his 6:00 a.m. shift on Saturday and used his key to get into Ms. Bejjani’s 10th floor apartment and then admitted “I just lost it.” Police videotaped the confession of the housekeeping manager who had been eyeing the victim for weeks and said he choked Ms. Bejjani who was found with a jump rope up around her neck and then stabbed with a 10-inch bread knife.

Continue reading "Drunken Housekeeping Manager At New York’s Famed Essex House Hotel Confesses To Stabbing Murder Of Resident - Hotel Security Lawyer Weighs In" »

As an experienced Philadelphia inadequate security and premises liability lawyer, I have written many articles in the past advocating that the safety and privacy of hotel, motel, resort, cruise ship guests and restaurant and business guests should be the top priority for owners and operators. However, many times this is simply not the case. Usually when we hear news about assaults and crimes in many of these facilities, an easily avoidable tragedy has occurred. Crime analysis and mapping is an important process when conducting a security assessment on the lack of due diligence by a business owner. Many times crime data is available which will indicate that a locale is highly susceptible to criminal incidents. Business owners should take a proactive stance against possible crimes or assaults on their properties.

The experienced inadequate security lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been successful in alleging that safeguards were not proper or adequate to protect their clients who were injured or unfortunately killed from a tragic lack of attention to safety. In our careful evaluation of inadequate security and assault cases, we try to determine a history of similar incidents on the property, the surrounding area and whether or not the location is highly suspect for criminal activity, and if in fact the business knew or should have known of the problems, what they did to prevent an occurrence of a crime event or assault and what preventative measures they had taken, including but not limited to lights, cameras, gates, locks or security guards.

Continue reading "Crime Analysis and Crime Mapping: An Essential Element In The Proper Investigation And Prosecution of A Negligent Security Case" »

According to news sources, Philadelphia police made an arrest in the violent robbery of two tourist at the Philadelphia Marriott located at 12th and Market Streets. According to the news sources, police claimed that Anthony Thomas, 28, of West Philadelphia followed a 52-year old female guest from the elevator to her room shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30th. Investigators claim that a knife was put to the throat of the hotel guest and she was robbed. Lt. Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia police stated “He drew knife, he cut the female across the mouth and face and proceeded to demand money from her and threatened to kill her during the course of the incident”. Police also reported that on August 6th, Mr. Thomas forced his way into the room of a Marriott guest from Sacramento, California and robbed her at knife point. Police suspect that the assailant may be involved in a number of other recent robberies in center city Philadelphia.

Inadequate security lawyer, Jeffrey Reiff, of the Philadelphia inadequate security and premises liability law firm of Reiff & Bily has been successfully representing the rights of negligent security cases on behalf of victims of physical assaults or robberies since 1979. The safety and privacy of hotel and motel guests should be the top priority for owners and operators of hotels. However, many times we find this is simply not the case. Because of inadequate security at hotels and motels many unsuspecting guests are robbed, shot, killed, raped, stabbed or assaulted in parking lots, corridors, hallways, rooms or other common areas. Many times there is a breakdown in the property owners security system which cannot only encourage criminal activity but can also result in the property owner’s liability to the crime victim for negligence. First and foremost, our thoughts go out the victims and their families, we hope that these fine and unsuspecting individuals recover quickly and completely from their injuries.

Continue reading "Prominent Philadelphia Hotel Is the Scene Of Violent Assault and Robbery Of Tourists" »

Last month, two women were raped and assaulted in a prominent Boston hotel and additionally, two women were tied up in another New England hotel by an assailant dubbed “The Craiglist Killer”. A USA Today story reported an experienced hotel manager of a Northbrook Illinois hotel was followed into a room by a man and was tied up and choked.
With the downturn in the economy and the recession also comes increased security concerns at a hotel. A greater likelihood of more criminal activity. According to a story published in USA Today, Philip Farina, CEO of Enterprising Securities, a San Antonio company that links security programs for hotels, notes “We are absolutely seeing an increase in crimes at hotels”. Farina also notes that hard economic times are especially driving up incidents of theft including the amount perpetrated by hotel staff. Not so surprisingly, as hotels attempt to stay profitable they are cutting back on necessary security.

The experienced Philadelphia hotel security and inadequate security law firm of Reiff & Bily has been handling hotel assault cases and premise liability assault cases involving hotels since 1979. We believe and the law recognizes that the safety and privacy of hotel/motel resort and cruise ship guests should be the top priority for all owners and operators of the hospitality industry; however, this is often not the case.

Continue reading "Hotel Crime and Security Concerns An Increasing Issue In Recession" »

In April a woman was raped and beaten by a stranger in a parking garage of a well known Boston hotel. According to news sources, the Boston police department asked the Radisson Hotel, who owns the garage, to remain quiet about the attack stating that any publicity could “compromise their chance to catch the individuals” according to a hotel spokesman. Sources also revealed that the police arrested a suspect in the rape but only 11 days later after a second victim was attacked in a similarly violent fashion in the same garage. A controversy has now arisen regarding how much information should be released to the public about sexual assaults.

The same news article revealed that police departments across the country did not have uniform guidelines about releasing warnings to the public about a sexual predator. The Philadelphia police claim that they issue electronic bulletins to media outlets every time a woman reports being raped by someone she didn’t know. Lt. Frank Vanore, a spokesman for the Philadelphia police department, is quoted as saying “We feel it is important to notify the public because any one of these could be someone that is a predator”. According to news sources in the Boston case, the first attack occurred on April 19th in the garage at the Radisson Hotel Boston which is located downtown. At approximately 5:30 in the morning, a woman was on the 5th floor in the garage heading to work when a man asked her for directions. The police then say he attacked her and when she started to scream, police said he threatened to throw her to the street below. The attacker raped the woman repeatedly and then ran when he became aware of passerby. On April 30th, a woman identified her attacker from a photo but police could not locate him. At 3:00 a.m. the next morning, less than 12 hours after the alleged rapist was identified, police say he attacked again at the same location at the same garage but this time on the 2nd floor and the second woman claimed that the attacker dragged her by her hair, beat her and raped her. The suspect was arrested later that day.

Incidents like this are not isolated incidents and in fact, are more common than the general public is aware of. Another interesting issue is presented by this case, namely that hotel owners and hotel managers must take all reasonable and necessary steps to make sure that injuries, deaths and criminal activity does not occur to patrons, visitors or workers while on their property. Hotels have a general duty to reasonably protect guests from harm caused by other guests or non-guests and an affirmative duty to make the premises reasonably safe for their guests. An accident or criminal action that takes place on a hotel premises may be grounds for a hotel liability claim or lawsuit. In this instance, the hotel had prior notice of criminal activity on the premises. Hotels have a general obligation to protect their business invitee from “hidden dangers”. This may include the following: installing proper lighting in hallways, stairwells, parking lots and other dark areas and making sure that proper security is enforced when there is notice of criminal activity.

Continue reading "Two Sexual Assaults in One Month At Boston Hotels Raises Many Issues Of Concern" »

As an experienced inadequate-security lawyer, I have been blogging about security concerns at hotels and resorts for many months prior to the unfortunate occurrence last week at two Mumbai luxury hotels. The terrorist attacks in Mumbai once again reveal that inadequate security is always a risk at a gathering place for travelers and hotel guests.

Continue reading "Mumbai Hotel Attacks Trigger New Debates About Inadequate Hotel Security - Philadelphia Inadequate-Security Lawyer Weighs In" »

The Philadelphia inadequate security and premises liability lawyers of Reiff & Bily are receiving more calls than usual concerning breaches of security at resorts and hotels. Traditionally, hotels are filled to capacity during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday season; this year however, hotels are not booking up due to the severe economic downturn in the economy. Surveys indicate that there will be 600,000 fewer travelers staying in hotels this Thanksgiving. As a result, hotels will be forced to cut back on their expenditures in areas that will affect the well-being and security of their patrons.

Recently, we have received an unusual number of reports of hotel thefts, assaults and food poisoning. We urge our clients and others to take extra steps to secure themselves, their children and valuables when traveling and staying in hotels.

Sometimes these attacks are from hotel staff and employees; other times they are instigated by outsiders who are improperly on the premises.

If you or a loved one are injured or attacked while staying at a hotel or resort, please feel free to contact the attorneys that specialize in “inadequate security” at the firm of Reiff & Bily so that we may assist you as soon as possible.

PENNSYLVANIA HOTEL LIABILITY LAWYER, PENNSYLVANIA HOTEL LIABILITY LAWYER, JEFFREY REIFF, WEIGHS IN

According to a story published on September 28, 2008 by the Sunday News in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, inspectors for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, responding to consumer complaints at the Holiday Inn in Lancaster County, were surprised when they found a laundry list of offenses. According to the article, when the hotel’s walk-in refrigerator failed, hotel employees moved the contents to a guest room for cooling. The room’s air conditioner was turned all the way down to 65 degrees, 25 degrees higher than the maximum temperature allowed by Pennsylvania State Health guidelines. On the same day of the food inspection, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement Officers searched the hotel and found that it was selling liquor without a license and had been doing so for over a year when the ownership changed hands and new owners never sought to renew the liquor license. It is reported that Treasury officials claim that the hotel had failed to pay taxes since July 21st and it is impossible to determine how much the hotel owes due to the fact that the figures come from the hotel’s monthly reports which are not accurate or complete either (according to the report). According to records, the State Department of Revenue placed a lien on the property for $29,259.28 in unpaid sales taxes for November and December 2007. Employees of the hotel paint and even grimmer picture for this Lancaster County Holiday Inn. They state that paychecks have been late, have been bounced and they have been paying insurance premiums out of their paychecks, yet, this hotel is not actually carrying insurance, according to reports.

One employee found this out the hard way when he went in for surgery and was told he did not have insurance, even though he had been paying for it through his employer. It was further reported that housekeeping employees have been instructed to rinse out and reuse disposable supplies in guest rooms. This included refilling used shampoo bottles and rinsing out and reusing trash bags. It was further reported that utilities and cable have been shut off at the hotel for failure to pay bills and that the building has failed fire code inspections as well.

Continue reading "HOLIDAY INN IN LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA DOESN’T PLAY BY THE RULES - ARE THEY PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS AT RISK?" »

Imagine this scenario, you go to a restaurant or franchise later in the evening to enjoy a meal and you are assaulted, stabbed or shot by one of the restaurant’s employees. Imagine another scenario, you are at your home, order takeout, and the delivery man comes and assaults or kills you or a loved one.

In the last few months, Philadelphia personal injury attorney, Jeffrey Reiff, was contacted by individuals who had each suffered a separate and catastrophic incident as mentioned above.

Many restauranteurs employ security systems, attend conferences, hire the best security consultants and set forth rules to insure a safe, crime free workplace and the safety of their customers and employees. But despite the focus on security, horrible crimes are defeating the best systems in place. According to an article published in Nations Restaurant News (www.nrn.com) since 2003, 341 restaurant employees and an unknown number of guests have been murdered on restaurant properties according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although the number of deaths fell more than 25% between 2003 and 2004, the number is headed north again, jumping nearly 21% from 73 deaths in 2005 to 88 deaths in 2006.

The NRN article quotes Chris McGoey, head of Crime Doctors, a security consulting firm with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, “All the studies I’ve seen say that late night retail and your businesses (restaurants) are the leading sites of employee homicides in the United States and the number one place for male fatalities in the workplace”. Mr. McGoey goes on to state “As more chains open 24 hours, we will experience more workplace violence, serious injuries and death in the restaurant business because I don’t think your industry gets it”.

Continue reading "AS THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO WORSEN, RESTAURANTS EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO LIABILITY AND OTHERS TO HARM WITH INCREASED LATE NIGHT HOURS, INADEQUATE SECURITY AND IMPROPER BACKGROUND CHECKS ON EMPLOYEES - A PHILADELPHIA INADEQUATE SECURITY LAWYER WEIGHS IN." »

The safety and privacy of hotel guests should be the top priority for hotel owners and operators. Many times, this simply is not the case. Many hotels, cruise ships and apartment homes are actually full of poorly lit corridors, tunnels, nooks and crannies, and other places were crimes can be and are easily committed. Lack of security in hotels, motels, apartment houses and on cruise ships is a big issue for the tourism and rental housing industry and also an issue that we do not often hear too much about. Usually when we do hear about it, an easily avoidable tragedy has occurred.

Recently, a hotel security guard, with an unrevealed lengthy arrest record, sexually assaulted a teenage occupant of a hotel in Panama City Beach, Florida and then threw his victim from a sixth floor balcony, according to Panama City Florida police. The girl hit two lower roofs, landing in a second floor stairwell, suffering serious injuries. The security guard was questioned by police and released without realizing that he was wanted on an outstanding warrant from the State of Indiana. This attack happened at 1:00 a.m. at a Panama City Beach resort where the security guard was on duty and supposed to be protecting guests from such an event. Research after the violent crime indicated that the security guard had an extensive criminal history, including convictions for burglary, escape, auto theft and receiving stolen property, as well as shoplifting and marijuana possession charges. (article)

Hotel owners, apartment owners and cruise ship operators must be oriented towards security of their guests in today’s world and they must insure that the proper security equipment is installed, maintained and regularly used, and that security guards have their employment and criminal backgrounds properly checked. Technology is an important part in meeting today’s security requirements. Surprisingly, a survey conducted of hotel managers by The Cornell School of Hotel Administration revealed that most hotels made no changes to safety and security staffing or procedures in the year following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Many times horrific injuries and incidences occur at hotels and motels due to poor lighting, inadequate security, locks that do not function, and the lack of easily affordable and available technological security devices such as closed circuit cameras. Because of such inadequate security, many unsuspecting guests are robbed, shot, killed, rape, stabbed or assaulted in hotels, motels, shopping malls, apartment parking lots, office buildings, condos and/or cruise ships.

Continue reading "SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF HOTEL GUESTS IS A TOP PRIORITY; ARE YOU REALLY SAFE WHEN YOU CHECK INTO YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME - A PENNSYLVANIA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER SHARES HIS THOUGHTS" »