Author Archives: Ida

by | January 18, 2013 · 8:53 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Arkansas Hotel General Manager Arrested For “Promoting Prostitution At Property”; Rented Rooms Hourly To Accommodate Sex For Money

“…a serious crime because it’s such a spider web into other facets, robberies stem from this, assaults, rapes…Police say the activity not only violates state statutes regarding prostitution but violates the city’s Hotel Prostitution ringssexually oriented business ordinances…”

The general manager and employee of a Fort Smith hotel were arrested Tuesday (Jan. 15) for promoting prostitution in the business, according to police. A six-month investigation revealed general manager John Lee Rohlin, 42, and his employee Jonathan Richard Bean, 28, regularly rented rooms at the Season’s Inn on south Waldron to individuals by the hour to accommodate men and women engaging in sex for money, a police report states.

The arrests stunned guests Thursday afternoon. “It will be scary because it’s something illegal you know,” said Monsour Alhussain, a hotel guest. A confidential informant tipped off the police about the prostitution in June, according to police.

Both men were booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center and released on $1,500 bonds.

For more:  http://5newsonline.com/2013/01/17/hotel-employees-arrested-on-promoting-prostitution-charge/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Arkansas Hotel General Manager Arrested For “Promoting Prostitution At Property”; Rented Rooms Hourly To Accommodate Sex For Money

Filed under Crime, Guest Issues, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | January 17, 2013 · 10:06 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Michigan Motel Fire Starts In Bathroom Fan And Results In “Complete Loss” To Building

“…it appears the fire started in a bathroom fan on the motel’s second floor, although a direct cause wasn’t immediately identified…(firefighters) made an initial handline attack and were able to stop it from spreading Motel Firesouth, but the fire did come around and spread indoors through the additional building…”

A metro Detroit motel that has been around since the 1960s is now a complete loss after fire tore through the building early Thursday morning. WWJ’s Ron Dewey reports the fire broke out around 2 a.m. at the Flamingo Motel on Groesbeck Highway in Fraser.

Firefighters from Fraser and Roseville responded and worked for about two hours before the fire was extinguished. Fraser Public Safety Lieutenant Dan Kolke said damage to the building is extensive.

All 10 of the motel’s occupants were able to get out safely and uninjured. Lilly Eilem said she saw the firetrucks outside her window, but didn’t put two and two together until she heard Meeks pounding on her door, telling her to get out.

Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

For more:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/01/17/two-firefighters-injured-in-motel-fire/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Michigan Motel Fire Starts In Bathroom Fan And Results In “Complete Loss” To Building

Filed under Fire, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance

Tagged as , , , ,

by | January 16, 2013 · 7:39 am

Hospitality Industry Health Risks: New York Restaurant Sued By Guest Who Choked On Fish Bone; Throat Surgery To Repair Perforated Trachea

“…She was brought to Lenox Hill Hospital, where she required surgery and a four day stay. Doctors found a Hospitality Industry Lawsuitmicro perforation of her trachea and she was unable to speak for two weeks after being discharged…”

An Upper East Side restaurant that specializes in serving fish is now choking on a lawsuit because of a tiny little bone that lodged in the throat of one of its customers. Claire Amiano, a Michael Kors specialist at Saks, is suing Fulton NYC, a fish restaurant on East 75th Street, saying that she needed emergency throat surgery in August 2012 because a filet of fish she ordered for dinner was not entirely deboned as promised.

Papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court say when Amiano started to choke, employees called 911 and offered her olive oil and bread to dislodge the bone.

Fulton is owned by Joseph Gurrera who founded the small local chain of Citarella stores which offer high end groceries. He also created Tutto Italiano, an Italian specialty shop.

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Health Risks: New York Restaurant Sued By Guest Who Choked On Fish Bone; Throat Surgery To Repair Perforated Trachea

Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Injuries, Insurance, Liability, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | January 15, 2013 · 7:48 am

Hospitality Industry Safety Risks: California Hotel Faces “Negligence Lawsuit” Over Carbon Monoxide Leak From Hotel Pool Boiler

“…(the plaintiff) was a guest at the time of the evacuation, which was believed to be caused by a boiler leak…claims the hotel was not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors resulted in exposing paying guests to hotel Carbon Monoxide Poisoninghazardous levels of the gas… he’s claiming negligence and requesting the hotel cover costs of general damages, medical bills, potential loss of revenue and legal fees…”

A carbon monoxide leak that prompted the evacuation of the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport hotel in Burlingame in November prompted a lawsuit from a guest who was staying at the hotel. On Friday, a lawsuit was filed against the hotel on behalf of Robert and Diane McNamara by San Francisco-based attorney Richard Schoenberger.

Firefighters were called to the hotel at 150 Anza Blvd. to test its air quality and evacuate guests around 1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, according to news reports at the time.

The carbon monoxide was traced to a boiler that feeds the hotel pool and a spa, Central County Fire Chief Don Dornell said at the time. The unit was immediately shut down, and carbon monoxide levels dissipated, he said. At the time, it was reported that there were no injuries nor was treatment required of anyone. Guests were able to return to their rooms shortly after 5 a.m. Crews remained at the hotel monitoring the air throughout the morning.

For more:  http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=1761499&title=Carbon%20monoxide%20leak%20at%20hotel%20sparks%20lawsuit

2 Comments

Filed under Guest Issues, Health, Insurance, Liability, Maintenance, Management And Ownership, Pool And Spa

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | January 14, 2013 · 8:31 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Texas Restaurant “Natural Gas Fire” Caused By Faulty Water Heater; Damage Estimated At $15,000

“…When firefighters got to the scene, the cook there told them that he heard the hot water heater pop and Restaurant Firethat’s when they saw the fire… Crews immediately evacuated the restaurant and the surrounding businesses, but they also had to cut the gas off before they could put out the fire, which was located in the restaurant’s mechanical room…”

Fire officials said a hot water heater is to blame for a natural gas fire at a Chinese restaurant on the city’s northwest side. The fire broke out at about 4:18 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Hunan Chinese Restaurant.

Fire officials said this natural gas fire caused about $15,000 worth of damage.

Nobody was hurt in the fire and the surrounding businesses opened back up later that Sunday.

For more:  http://www.ksat.com/news/Officials-Water-heater-causes-fire-at-Chinese-restaurant/-/478452/18116632/-/dt62eg/-/index.html

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Texas Restaurant “Natural Gas Fire” Caused By Faulty Water Heater; Damage Estimated At $15,000

Filed under Fire, Insurance, Maintenance, Risk Management, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | January 13, 2013 · 8:00 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Massachusetts Motel Fire Starts In “Old Sauna Room” Used For Storage; “Extensive Smoke Damage” Estimated At $50,000 To Concrete Building

“…The fire started in an old sauna room on the first floor next to the main office…the room was being used by Motel Firethe owner for storage…several second-floor motel rooms received extensive smoke damage…”

The Travelodge on Rte. 9 in Natick was evacuated Saturday morning after a two-alarm blaze struck, forcing occupants outside and damaging several rooms. Fire Chief James Sheridan said the department responded to the 1350 Worcester St. motel after receiving multiple 911 calls for a fire beginning at 11:11 a.m.

Sheridan said the building was evacuated, as the first firefighters on the scene saw heavy smoke and fire. They aggressively suppressed the fire and knocked it down quickly.

Sheridan said the department struck a second alarm upon getting to the motel, with firefighters from Framingham and Wellesley covering the central station.

He estimated roughly $50,000 in damages to the concrete building. As of 1:30 p.m., the department was still cleaning up at the scene, he said.

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Massachusetts Motel Fire Starts In “Old Sauna Room” Used For Storage; “Extensive Smoke Damage” Estimated At $50,000 To Concrete Building

Filed under Fire, Guest Issues, Maintenance, Management And Ownership

Tagged as , , , ,

by | January 12, 2013 · 7:49 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Restaurant Franchisee Settles EEOC “Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Lawsuit” For $2.5 Million; Managers Made Working Conditions Intolerable

The EEOC’s suit charged that Carrols subjected a class of women – including many teenagers – to egregious sexual harassment at Burger King locations throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. EEOC alleged that the harassment, which ranged from obscene comments, jokes, and propositions to unwanted touching, EEOCexposure of genitalia, strip searches, stalking, and even rape, was perpetrated by managers in the majority of cases. According to the EEOC, Carrols also retaliated against some of the women by cutting their hours, manufacturing discipline against them, and even firing them, while it forced more women to quit because the harassment made their working conditions intolerable.

Carrols Corporation, the world’s largest Burger King franchisee, will pay $2.5 million and take significant remedial steps to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. The lawsuit alleged discrimination against 89 female employees around the country, many of whom were teenagers when they worked for Carrols.

Sexual harassment and retaliation for complaining about it violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit (Civil Action No. 98-cv-01772 FWS/TWD in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York) after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

Under the terms of the publicly-filed consent decree resolving the case, Carrols will pay $2.5 million in compensatory damages and lost wages to the 89 victims. It also will implement a number of measures to increase employees’ awareness of Carrols’ anti-harassment policies and to improve Carrols’ response to complaints brought forward under those policies. Those measures include enhanced training for Carrols’ managers in preventing and responding to harassment; improved mechanisms for tracking harassment complaints; notices posted in all domestic Carrols Burger King locations informing employees about the lawsuit’s resolution and their rights under federal anti-discrimination laws; and an injunction prohibiting further harassment and retaliation.

For more: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/1-9-13.cfm

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Restaurant Franchisee Settles EEOC “Sexual Harassment And Retaliation Lawsuit” For $2.5 Million; Managers Made Working Conditions Intolerable

Filed under Employment Practices Liability, Insurance, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | January 11, 2013 · 10:34 am

P3 Hospitality Industry Risk Report: “ADA Pool Lift Update” Presented By Loss Control Specialist Marco Johnson Of Petra Risk Solutions (Video)

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/57192729 w=500&h=281]

The January 31, 2013 ADA pool lift compliance deadline is fast approaching. Petra Risk Solutions’ Loss Control Specialist,  Marco Johnson, offers a P3 Hospitality Risk Update – ‘ADA Pool Lift Update’ – to help clear up some of the confusion about the requirements of this new ADA law.

P3 (Petra Plus Process) is the Risk Management Division of Petra Risk Solutions – America’s largest independent insurance brokerage devoted exclusively to the hospitality marketplace.

For more information on Petra and P3 visit petrarisksolutions.com or call 800.466.8951.

2 Comments

Filed under Guest Issues, Injuries, Insurance, Legislation, Liability, Maintenance, Pool And Spa, Risk Management, Training

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | January 10, 2013 · 9:29 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel “Fire Alarm System” Fails During Basement Fire; Over 70 Guests Evacuated After Electrical Panel Circuit Found “Dead”

“…the hotel had a small fire in its basement over the weekend, and the fire alarms did not go off…(it was) found that the hotel’s electrical panel that controls the fire alarms was dead and the alarms didn’t work…the fire alarms for hotelshotel’s general manager said they had to evacuate more than 70 guests Tuesday, and they’ve been working since then to replace the fire alarm system..”

A hotel in a Scranton shut down Tuesday night because of a problem with its fire alarm system. It turns out, that hotel may have been without fire protection for weeks, maybe even months.

Scranton firefighters received a tip call from a former employee of the Clarion Hotel in Scranton. That call unraveled what could have been a big problem for the hotel and city officials.

The city’s director of inspections and permits, Mark Seitzinger went with firefighters to check out the tip calls claim.

“It’s dangerous, as of the other day they had 75 occupants or patrons of the building, that’s 75 people not including employees that are at risk because there’s no fire system,” said Seitzinger.

On the city’s advice, hotel managers made the call to evacuate all of those 75 guests and sent them to nearby hotels. Among the displaced were realtors who were supposed to have a certification class at the Clarion, but they had to change their plans and move to another venue in Clarks Summit.

For more:  http://wnep.com/2013/01/09/hotel-replaces-faulty-fire-alarms-following-small-fire/

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Pennsylvania Hotel “Fire Alarm System” Fails During Basement Fire; Over 70 Guests Evacuated After Electrical Panel Circuit Found “Dead”

Filed under Fire, Guest Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Risk Management

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | January 9, 2013 · 7:34 am

Hospitality Industry Employment Risks: Maryland Restaurant Settles EEOC “Disability Discrimination And Retaliation Lawsuit” For $47,000; Deaf Prep Cook Was Harassed And Mocked

“…(the plaintiff) was harassed by a former management official because of his disability, through mockery (e.g. being called “vermin” instead of “Vernon”), and through threatening physical conduct…(his) prep cook EEOCduties were removed and that he was transferred to a dishwasher position because of his disability….In addition to the $47,814 in monetary relief to Davis, the two-year consent decree resolving the lawsuit enjoins McCormick and Schmick’s from violating the ADA, including with regard to harassment and retaliation…”

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Inc. will pay $47,814 and provide other relief to settle a disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

According to the EEOC’s suit, Vernon Davis, who has been deaf since childhood and uses American Sign Language and reads lips to communicate, satisfactorily performed his duties as a prep cook at the McCormick & Schmick’s National Harbor restaurant in Oxon Hill, Md. Prior to being hired by the defendant, Davis had obtained culinary training and had worked in several other restaurants.

After Davis and others complained about Davis being subjected to disability discrimination, the restaurant demoted him to a janitorial-type position and cut his hours because of his disability and in retaliation for the complaints, the EEOC charged. Four months later, McCormick and Schmick’s unlawfully fired Davis because of his disability and in retaliation for his complaints, the EEOC alleged in its lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Southern Division, Civil Action No. 8:11-cv-02695.

Comments Off on Hospitality Industry Employment Risks: Maryland Restaurant Settles EEOC “Disability Discrimination And Retaliation Lawsuit” For $47,000; Deaf Prep Cook Was Harassed And Mocked

Filed under Employment Practices Liability, Labor Issues, Liability, Management And Ownership, Training

Tagged as , , , , , ,