Any US Lawyers out there....

[Launch Mini]

that might be able to help me.
Short version of my story.
While staying in a Hotel near Disneyland, our room was robbed.
Police, management etc were all notified.
In reviewing our "room key access" we determined that there was an "extra" key made for our room, and during the day of the robbery, this key was used to access our room.
However, only 11 minutes before this key accessed our room, one of Housekeepings keys was used to enter our room.
Then 2 hours later, housekeeping again entered our room, using a differnt key.
From what I have gathered, the Hotel & their insurance co, are only covering $250/location of theft. ( ie pouch, purse, etc)
Now the value of items stolen was not important (FYI $800 cash & one gold chain were stolen), BUT the lack of concern by anyone in charge is baffling me.
The Hotel is refusing to answer any of my questions ( who issued this KEY #4, when was it issued, why was housekeeping in our room so many times that day, etc)
They supposedly conducted their own investigation, but are not releasing this to either me nor their Insurer.

Considering Civil Charges against the Hotel, if it was "an inside job", but would like some US Legal advise first.
Thanks in Advance.
At this point I am not publicly announcing the Hotel involved.
If your going to Disneyland, PM me and I will tell you which hotel NOT TO STAY AT.

This is a follow up to my ROAD TRIP post.

[Leighton]

I remember your post well and what you went through was terrible. I'm not a lawyer, but I've been involved in my share of litigation. Most of the time, it is my lawyer friends that are ahead at the end of the day, but that's business. Nothing against the legal profession, just my experience to date! California uses small claims court to settle disputes under $7,500 USD. But you need to weigh travel, legal fees, etc. as to whether or not it is worth it.

Here's some info on California small claims court: http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-artic...ims-court.html

One more thing. This type of injustice can really get into your crawl and get you so emotionally worked up you want to go on a quest for justice. Sometimes, this can end up costing you more than a simple settlement. I've learned this the hard way.

Good luck!

[Terry Newton]

I've been sued and I have sued and consider it the cost of doing business today. Lawyers do not frighten me much as I am an expert witness and end up on the stand many times. I also take clients to small claims court on a routine basis. I am being sued presently and am rather ho-hum about it as I have a great law firm representing me on this matter. My riding buddy is a lawyer and, I almost married an attorney who now works for the attorney general's office. Her father, who recently passed away, was a lawyer and, her brother was her father's law partner. I am in Rotary with many attorney's, from good to great firms and, several private practitioners.

I agree with the comment that sometimes it costs more to pursue these matters. Any lawyer will tell you that you can sue. They love your money, it does not take much cost to file, they sometimes do it like wallpaper to see what sticks, and, just because they will file for you does not mean you will win jack .

You can do the leg work for the small claims court but the hotel will probably have better legal tactics. I am sorry for your loss.

Terry Newton

[rpryan55]

The answer to your concerns is in your post: "Now the value of items stolen was not important (FYI $800 cash & one gold chain were stolen), BUT the lack of concern by anyone in charge is baffling me." American courts only renumerate you for monetary losses in a case like this. If the value of what was stolen is unimportant to you, so is the opportunity to litigate.

You're angry. I would be, too. But, as nothing of tremendous value was taken, the courts cannot help you. "Justice", as that term is used by you and I, is something the courts simply can't provide.......

Sorry about your experience, tho.

[redshirt1957]

There are two types of people in the States.

Lawyers and

those that think they are lawyers.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

There are two types of people in the States.

Lawyers and

those that think they are lawyers.

And we get the latter every time.

[rpryan55]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

There are two types of people in the States.

Lawyers and

those that think they are lawyers.

If this was directed at my post, well.......I'm in the first group, Bubba.

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by rpryan55

If this was directed at my post, well.......I'm in the first group, Bubba.

No, not directed at you or your post as I know you are an attorney. Post was more along the lines of poking fun at all the jail and locker room lawyers. While working the Olympics for many years my speciality was international contract law. Hard to believe from reading my posts.

[Art161]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

No, not directed at you or your post as I know you are an attorney. Post was more along the lines of poking fun at all the jail and locker room lawyers. While working the Olympics for many years my speciality was international contract law. Hard to believe from reading my posts.

Joe, I thought you specialized in intergalactic law.

[Oscar]

Gee, didn't someone back peddle quick then............I almost saw a suit coming on...............:justk iddi

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by Oscar

Gee, didn't someone back peddle quick then............I almost saw a suit coming on...............:justk iddi

Hey, was your post directed at me. FYI, I am in both groups. Now analyze that.

[Leighton]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Hey, was your post directed at me. FYI, I am in both groups. Now analyze that.

OK, I'll bite... While Contract Law was your specialty, Divorce Law was not???

[TimeToGo]

My riding buddy is a lawyer and, I almost married an attorney who now works for the attorney general's office. Her father, who recently passed away, was a lawyer and, her brother was her father's law partner. I am in Rotary with many attorney's, from good to great firms and, several private practitioners.

But does this qualify you as an attorney? It doesn't!

Sorry, thought it was funny. It reminds me of a famous quote from the movie "My cousin Vinny"

MR. TROTTER: Ms. Vito, Whats your current profession?
MONA LISA: I’m an out work hairdresser.
MR. TROTTER: An out of work hairdresser? Now in what way does that qualify you as an expert in automobiles?
MONA LISA: It doesn’t.
MR. TROTTER: Well in what way are you qualified?
MONA LISA: Well my father was a mechanic(attorney). His father was a mechanic (attorney). My mothers father was a mechanic (attorney), my 3 brothers are mechanics (attorneys), 4 uncles on my fathers side…
MR. TROTTER: Ms. Vito your family is obviously qualified, but uh, have you ever worked as a mechanic?
MONA LISA: Yeah in my father’s garage, yeah.

you get the pictures...