Premises liability: Hotel sued for handling of shooting

Recently, New York residents and people around the world learned of the horrific mass shooting that occurred at a country music festival. More than 58 people were killed and hundreds more were injured. Although the investigation of the shooting are far from being finalized, premises liability lawsuits are already being filed in civil court against the hotel and concert owner.

One of the lawsuits filed is by a college senior. She is a surviving victim and is seeking compensation of approximately $15,000 to cover her medical bills. A bullet from the alleged shooter struck her below her right arm, passed through her breast tissue and part of her liver.

The lawsuit is filed against MGM Resorts who is the owner of the Las Vegas hotel that the alleged shooter used to reign terror on the crowd below. The hotel overlooked the Route 91 Harvest Festival that had approximately 22,000 people in attendance. The hotel is accused of inadequate security and handling of the incident. Reportedly, a security guard approached the shooter’s room to investigate a complaint and was shot in the process, but it is claimed that no other recorded action by the hotel was taken for six minutes, allowing the shooter ample time to attack the crowd. The concert owner has been named in the lawsuit as well for an inadequate number of exits.

After tragedies such as this mass shooting, thorough investigations occur to reveal areas of improvement in security, protocols and other safety measures that could prevent future mass causalities. Although the shooter in this case carries the majority of fault for his alleged actions, a civil court will determine if the hotel and concert venues were negligent in not preventing the tragedy, or in not acting sooner to reduce the number of victims. In New York, attorneys familiar with premises liability lawsuits can assist victims in this state of their legal rights and options with respect to a civil court claim.

Source: sonomastatestar.com, “SSU student injured in Vegas shooting sues hotel,” Nate Galvan, Oct. 17, 2017