Legal Question in Personal Injury in South Carolina
My car was broken into at a hotel
I was at the beach when my car was broken into. The
car was one of three that the thieves hit that night. All
the cars were in the parking deck and the hotel DID
have security guards on duty. The security gate that is
usually used, was not being used whileI was there.
Do I have a case based on the negligence of the hotel
staff/security?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: My car was broken into at a hotel
You might, but it depends on a whole lot more information, such as did they guarantee the cars' safety,was security part of the service, etc.
Re: My car was broken into at a hotel
I will assume that security was not part of your agreement, and that the hotel did not assume any liability (they almost never do); in fact, most lots have some language somewhere indicating that they accept no liability. You could theoretically have a case, but it would indeed depend on a host of factors, including the history of criminal activity in the area, and the cost of measures for more security. The other issue is that of "causation"; i.e., would an extra guard, or extra lighting, or even the security gate have made a difference. (E.g., if they approached the lot on foot, then the absence of the gate seems moot.) As a general matter, such cases are difficult to win; perhaps the hotel would pay you some nuisance value. (Sometimes you simply lose. Perhaps some auto insurance would cover such a loss (if you had that coverage).)