Danny Sikka Published in Hospitality Law “Hotel Found Not Liable in Stabbing Death at Private Party”

Danny Sikka provided the commentary for the article, “Hotel Found Not Liable in Stabbing Death at Private Party,” published in the October 1, 2007 issue of Hospitality Law. The article examines Farooq v. MDRB Corp., d/b/a Ramada Inn Hotel et al., a case that was filed by the mother of a man stabbed to death at a private party at a hotel. The case was dismissed by a District Court because the mother failed to show that the hotel and security staffs were negligent because they did not prevent another patron from entering the party with a knife.

Danny notes that, “Hiring an outside security company can increase the protection of hotel guests.” However, “if an outside security company is used, communication among the outside security team, the hotel security, and the event planner should take place prior to the event to minimize situations like the one in the Farooq case.” Danny points out that, “It would be nearly impossible to check all guests entering the hotel for weapons, and the level of staffing required to do so would be cost-prohibitive…. The best a security officer can do is simply monitor the guests and call the proper authorities if a situation arises.”