motel holdup

[traxx]

"My fiance and I were robbed at gunpoint by 4 men at a motel in southern Florida on Sept 1st 2001. The total ammount of cash and property taken from us was approximatly $2000.00
This motel has had a history of this sort of activity going on, the police that responded told us that they were actualy working a detail on this particular motel because of the incidents in the past. Even though the motel has had a problem with this sort of activity going on, they provided no warning to its guests and they're security guard did not come on duty until 1 hour after dark. The motels insurance co. has contacted us and asked us what we wanted from the motel and we gave them a dollar amount to settle out of court. We have not been able to get a response back from the insurance co. as to wheter or not they will settle with us or if we have to sue them. It has been over a month now and they wont return our calls and our patience has run out. Do we have a valid claim against the motel for being negligent by not providing warning or proper security for its guest in light of the occurances of robberies in the past. Also if we do have a case against them what type of attorny should we seek and what kind of damages?

 

[JETX]

Before worrying about how much and how liable, I would first send the insurance company a letter CERTIFIED RRR. Advise them you would like to try to resolve this issue without an attorney and that they should contact you in writing before a specific date (give them two weeks or so from receipt). Let them know that if you don't hear from them, that you will be retaining counsel and will let your attorney handle this matter.

In the interim, talk with a few attorneys on the phone. Then, if the insurance company doesn't contact you, get YOUR attorney involved. Depending on the specific circumstances they could have some liability.