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Charles Spitz Examines the Legal Implications of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning for HospitalityLawyer's CONVERGE

March 26, 2014

Hospitality Practice Group Co-Chair Charles W. Spitz examines recent media exposure regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning in hotels, motels, and resorts in the March 2014 issue of HospitalityLawyer's CONVERGE newsletter.

The heightened issue has garnered attention among such major media outlets as ABC News’ 20/20, USA Today, and CNN. After detailing three recent carbon monoxide poisoning incidents, Mr. Spitz notes that:

"For the owner/operators in these and other carbon monoxide poisoning cases, the potential legal implications are severe. Not only could criminal charges be brought against the hotel proprietors, but any civil suits for negligence and/or wrongful death would present the potential for significant exposure, including the imposition of punitive damages. Thus, the question becomes: What is a hotel owner, operator or management company to do to prevent these catastrophic scenarios?"