Feb 21, 2025

Know Your Rights, How to Stay Safe and What To Do If You Were Affected by Negligent Hotel Security

In recent times, all accross the nation, women are speaking up and warning eachother about frightening and dangerous situations they have suffered due to hotel negligence. Unfortunitley these things have happened in our own back yard too, right here in Atlanta. It’s a frightening, traumatizing, and many women, quickly become filled with fear and uncertainty when hotel security fails to uphold their responsibility to keep you safe.

Legal Guide to Negligent Hotel Security in Atlanta Blog Cover Image

If you were assualted by a stranger who gained access to your room, or if you were harmed in a poorly lit parking lot or stair well, we can hold that hotel accountable. We understand these situations leave you feeling vulnerable, violated, and unsure of what to or who to trust. We would like to invite you to schedule a completely free, no-risk meeting with one of our negligent security laywers. You don’t have to go through this alone. We’re trusted by the community, and we will do everything in our power to help you move past this and get compensation for injuries and emotional trauma.

Are Hotels Required to Ensure Your Safety? – Yes.

Hotel owners and management have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for their guests. Under Georgia premises liability laws, hotels must take necessary precautions to prevent foreseeable dangers, which may include:

  • Providing Adequate Lighting – Hallways, parking lots, and stairwells should be well-lit to deter criminal activity.
  • Hiring and Training Security Staff – Some hotels require security personnel to patrol the premises, especially in high-crime areas.
  • Ensuring Key Card Security – Room keys should be coded specifically for each guest to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Maintaining Locks and Surveillance Systems – Broken door locks, malfunctioning security cameras, and lack of emergency response systems can put guests at risk.
  • Screening Hotel Employees – Background checks and proper training should be conducted for all staff members who have access to guest rooms.

When a hotel neglects these responsibilities, serious security breaches can occur, putting guests in harm’s way.

Hotel Safety Tips for Women

Women, in particular, can be at higher risk when staying at hotels alone. If you have to travel alone, taking extra safety precautions can increase security.

  • If the hotel clerk announces your room number and your name out loud, do not accept the room key. Instead, request a new room and ask that your information remain private.
  • Be aware of your surroundings in elevators. If you feel uncomfortable or notice someone suspicious, step out and wait for another elevator.
  • Avoid entering a stairwell alone. Stairwells are often secluded and poorly monitored, making them potential danger zones.
  • Reinforce your hotel room door. Bring a portable door lock, door wedge alarm, or rubber door stopper to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Request a room on an upper floor. Avoid staying on the ground level, as these rooms are easier targets for break-ins.
  • Do not answer the door for unexpected visitors. If someone claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk to confirm before opening the door.
  • Always lock and chain your door. Use all available locks, including the deadbolt and security latch, whenever inside your room.
  • Check for hidden cameras. Conduct a quick scan of your room using a flashlight or camera lens to detect unauthorized surveillance devices.
  • Park in well-lit areas. If you are driving, choose a parking spot near the hotel entrance and avoid isolated areas.

What to Do If Someone Entered Your Hotel Room Without Your Consent

If somone entered your hotel room without permission, take immediate action:

  1. Secure Yourself and Leave the Room – If you feel unsafe, exit immediately and go to the front desk or call hotel security.
  2. Report the Incident – Notify hotel management and insist that they file a formal report.
  3. Check for Missing Belongings – Document any stolen or tampered items.
  4. Determine if You Feel Safe Enough to Stay– If you feel in danger, it’s best to relocate. See the additional tips below to find different accomidations descreetly.
  5. Call the Police – If theft or an assault occurred, file an official police report to create a legal record of the incident.
  6. Document Everything – Take photos of your room, any damage, and request security footage from the hotel.

What to Do If a Stranger Had a Key to Your Hotel Room

If someone else had access to your hotel room key card, this is a serious security breach that must be addressed immediately.

  • Confront Hotel Management – Demand to know why another person had access to your room and request security footage of key card activity.
  • Ask for a Refund – If you feel unsafe, request a refund and check out of the hotel altogether. See the steps below to ensure your safety when checking out and finding new accomidations.
  • Contact Law Enforcement – If you believe criminal intent was involved, file a police report.
  • Contact a Lawyer – A premesis liability lawyer in Atlanta will hold the properly accountable for their neglignce, advocate for you and help you get max compensation.

Steps to Take If You Decide To Check-Out of Your Hotel

If a stranger gained access to your room, deciding to stay can put you at risk, and if you decide to take legal action, defense can be made that the situation must not have been bad enough because you decided not to leave. Follow these steps to check out descreetly and find different accomidations:

  • Double check that none of your belongings are missing.
  • Document everything before leaving the room.
  • Document any signs of hidden cameras in your room (such as blinking red lights in air vents, unusual holes in irregularly placed items, reflective lights in electronic devices when the lights are off).
  • Speak to the clerk about why you’re checking out, have them give you proof that a formal report was filed. Request a refund.
  • Find a safe place in the lobby or dining area.
  • Search for a nearby hotel or contact your employer if you are on a work trip.
  • Call the new hotel and briefly explain what happened, most hotels will gladly offer extra hospitality. You can request for them not to disclose any personal information about you outloud when checking in and ask them to monitor that you aren’t being followed.
  • Do not discuss your plan on where you are going or what you are doing with anyone.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings, do your best to ensure you aren’t being followed or watched.
  • If you suspect you may still be in danger, call 911.

What to Do If You Were Injured Because of Negligence at a Hotel

If you suffered an injury at a hotel due to lack of security, poor maintenance, or negligent staff, you may be eligible to file a premises liability claim. Common hotel-related injuries include:

  • Assaults or attacks due to inadequate security.
  • Slip and falls caused by wet floors, uneven carpeting, or broken handrails.
  • Injuries from faulty hotel equipment (elevators, gym machines, pool facilities).
  • Food poisoning from contaminated hotel food.
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning due to poor ventilation.

What Compensation Can I Seek in a Negligent Hotel Security Claim?

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Take Legal Action Against a Negligent Hotel in Atlanta

No one should have to fear for their safety when staying at a hotel. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to a hotel’s negligence in Atlanta, you have the right to seek compensation. At Spaulding Injury Law, we hold hotel owners accountable for failing to provide proper security and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait—contact us today for a free consultation and let us protect your rights and help you move forward.