Many survivors of sexual assault may not realize that they may have the right to sue and receive monetary justice from someone other than the perpetrator. This can be done in addition to a criminal prosecution and recovery from crime victim funds.
In Illinois, more than one person may be responsible for someone’s injuries. Hotels can sometimes be held liable for their negligence in allowing a criminal act to occur on their property. For example, a woman is attacked in her hotel room at a hotel by either an employee or by someone who broke into her room because the lock was broken. In the first instance, it later turns out that the employee had a criminal history of attacking women, but the hotel failed to conduct an adequate background check prior to hiring this person. A lawsuit can be filed against the hotel for their role in the attack for negligent hiring or negligent supervision. In the second instance, it turns out the hotel knew that the lock in the room was broken and another guest had previously complained that someone tried to access their room. Courts have found that innkeepers owe their guests a “duty” to act reasonably in protecting their safety against criminal acts of third parties. If you have been the victim of an attack, it is important to reach out to an experienced civil justice lawyer. Statutes of limitations may affect a survivor’s ability to pursue monetary justice, and each case is unique and its facts must be carefully analyzed.
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