Seattle Hotel Sexual Assault Lawyer

If you’ve experienced a sexual assault at a Seattle hotel, it’s important to know that you have rights and options for seeking justice. At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., our sexual assault and sexual abuse attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable for keeping you safe. We have an office in Seattle, and 7 other offices nationwide, staffed by hotel rape and sexual assault lawyers who will pursue justice and compensation on your behalf.

Our team of 16 award-winning attorneys has been recognized by “Best Lawyers”® and “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report for the past nine years. Since opening our doors in 1971, we’ve handled over 4,000 cases and recovered more than $500 million for our clients.

Your Rights as a Victim of Hotel Sexual Assault

Survivors of sexual violence in hotels often feel overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure of where to turn. While the criminal justice system may prosecute the perpetrator of a sex crime, these criminal cases alone do not always provide the full measure of justice or compensation that survivors deserve. As experienced sexual abuse lawyers, we at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. want victims to know that they have important legal rights beyond the criminal courts.

Hotels have a legal duty to keep their guests safe. When a hotel fails to provide adequate security, ignores reports of suspicious behavior, or hires staff without proper background checks, it can be held responsible if sexual abuse victims are harmed on the property. This means survivors may pursue a civil lawsuit against the hotel itself, seeking compensation for medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like the immense pain and suffering caused by the assault.

Unlike the criminal justice system, which focuses on punishing offenders, civil claims give survivors the power to hold corporations accountable and obtain the resources needed for healing and recovery. Our firm has decades of experience representing victims of sexual violence in hotels, resorts, and other establishments, and we know how to build strong cases that expose negligence and demand justice.

Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported. With the right legal team, sexual abuse victims can take decisive steps toward reclaiming their lives and ensuring that those responsible, both individuals and institutions, are held accountable.

Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Sexual Assault in the Hospitality Industry?

When sexual violence occurs in a hotel, resort, or other hospitality setting, the trauma is compounded by the fact that guests expect these establishments to provide a safe environment. Survivors often wonder not only how to pursue justice against the perpetrator but also who else may be legally responsible for allowing the assault to happen. At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., we help victims identify all parties that may be held accountable, ensuring the strongest possible case for justice and compensation.

1. The Perpetrator

The individual perpetrator who committed the assault can and should face prosecution through the criminal system. Beyond criminal offenses, they may also be sued in Washington state civil court.

2. The Hotel or Resort

Even those who do not face criminal charges can be held liable. Hospitality businesses have a duty to protect their guests. If a hotel fails to provide adequate security, ignores prior complaints, or hires employees without proper background checks, it can be held liable for negligence.

3. Third-Party Contractors

Many hotels rely on outside vendors such as cleaning companies, security providers, or excursion operators. If a contractor’s employee commits a sex crime or if the company failed to properly supervise staff, they may share responsibility.

4. Corporate Ownership and Management Companies

Large hotel chains often delegate management to third-party operators. Both the parent corporation and the management company may be liable if their policies, cost-cutting measures, or lack of oversight contributed to unsafe conditions.

5. Security Companies

If a hotel outsources security and guards fail to prevent or respond appropriately to an incident, the security company may also be held accountable.

Common Challenges Faced in Hotel Sexual Assault Cases

Survivors of hotel sexual assault often face unique obstacles when seeking justice. At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., we understand these challenges and know how to overcome them with compassion and legal expertise.

The Victim Didn’t Come Forward Soon Enough

One common issue arises when a survivor doesn’t inform local law enforcement immediately after the assault. Hotels and defense attorneys may try to use this against victims, suggesting the incident never happened. In reality, many survivors feel unsafe or intimidated in the moment, especially when traveling in an unfamiliar city or country. We work to show that a delay in reporting does not diminish the truth of what occurred.

The Encounter Was Consensual

Another challenge occurs when the perpetrator claims the encounter was consensual sexual contact. Our attorneys know how to gather evidence, secure witness testimony, and highlight inconsistencies in the attacker’s story to prove that the incident was not consensual but a crime.

The Victim Didn’t Seek Medical Treatment

Survivors may also be criticized if they didn’t get medical treatment right away. We remind courts and juries that trauma often prevents victims from seeking immediate care, and we work with medical and psychological experts to document the lasting impact of the assault.

It Was the Victim’s Fault

Perhaps the most damaging defense tactic is blaming the survivor, arguing that it was the victim’s fault because of what they wore, where they were, or how much they drank. At our firm, we fight aggressively against this harmful narrative of creating “reasonable doubt,” making clear that the person responsible for a sexual assault is the perpetrator and, in many cases, the negligent hotel that failed to provide a safe environment.

By anticipating these challenges and countering them with evidence, expert testimony, and decades of trial experience, a dedicated attorney from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. ensures survivors have the strongest possible case to achieve justice.

We Seek Justice and Compensation for Those Sexually Assaulted in Washington State

After a devastating attack, it’s crucial to know that you have rights and avenues for seeking justice. At Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., our experienced legal team is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping victims of sexual assault move forward with their lives. Recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report every year since 2016, our attorneys are well-versed in personal injury law, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

With over 250 years of combined experience, we are uniquely equipped to maximize your financial compensation and demand accountability from those who either directly or indirectly caused your attack. Schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation today to start taking back control of your life. Reach us through our secured contact form or by phone at 877–233–1238 for your no-obligation case evaluation.