Sex Trafficking Claims Against Hotels

Pittsburgh Injury Lawyer Takes on Hotels Enabling Sex Trafficking

Logue Law Group assists victims subjected to forced prostitution in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Sex trafficking often involves harrowing violence and exploitation, much of which takes place in hotels across the United States. Unfortunately, some hotel owners choose to ignore these atrocious crimes, and in some cases, even accept drugs or sexual favors to disregard the abuse occurring on their premises. At the same time, large hotel chains earn royalties when traffickers use their franchised rooms.

For survivors seeking justice, filing lawsuits against well-known hotel corporations such as Wyndham, Red Roof Inn, and Best Western provides a path to hold these companies accountable. Logue Law Group, based in Pittsburgh, has extensive experience representing clients in these high-profile cases. Led by Attorney Sean Logue, we are unwavering in our mission to help survivors find justice and secure compensation for the abuse they’ve endured.

What is Sex Trafficking?

Sex trafficking involves manipulating or coercing a person to perform commercial sexual acts, sometimes under horrifying circumstances. Federal law defines it as facilitating a commercial sex act involving minors under 18 or occurring through force, fraud, or coercion.

Specific Examples of Sex Trafficking Include:

• Force – This includes cases of physical violence, kidnapping, sexual assault, or confinement within a hotel room. Even if someone initially consents to commercial sex work, patterns of violence, such as beatings to prevent them from leaving, classify the situation as trafficking.
• Fraud – Traffickers often lure victims with false promises of financial assistance, housing, gifts, or drugs. Common tactics involve emotional manipulation, convincing individuals that the situation is temporary or based on love and care.
• Coercion – Traffickers may rely on threats, whether of violence, deportation, or public humiliation, to force compliance from victims.

These criminal activities include recruiting, transporting, harboring, and soliciting victims for sexual exploitation.

Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) has been a critical tool in combating human trafficking. Initially passed in 2000 and updated several times, this federal law holds individuals and businesses, including hotels, accountable if they knowingly benefit from trafficking activities.

Hotels play a significant role in enabling trafficking as evidence often points to managers and staff understanding what is happening, especially in cases involving minors. Per TVPRA, even having a “reasonable opportunity to observe” such behavior is sufficient for legal culpability, placing further pressure on hotels to enforce preventative measures.

Legal Action Against Hotels Assisting Traffickers

A federal judge has authorized lawsuits against hotel chains under the TVPRA. Several cases have been filed already, with plaintiffs seeking consolidation into multidistrict litigation overseen by a single judge. Given the common practices of negligence across these establishments, consolidating claims allows for a more unified adjudication process.

However, these lawsuits face complex legal hurdles. Many franchised hotels operate under the brand names of large companies but are locally owned, enabling corporate entities to attempt to deflect liability. Major corporations such as Hilton, Marriott, and Choice Hotels have also attempted to avoid accountability by failing to issue security guidelines. Nevertheless, the widespread use of hotels in trafficking operations provides strong arguments for holding these corporations responsible for their continued negligence.

Litigation Challenges for Survivors

Even after escaping the horrors of trafficking, taking legal action is rarely easy for survivors. Many carry fears of retaliation or physical harm, while others grapple with misplaced shame or guilt. However, the TVPRA exists to empower survivors, offering a pathway to seek justice. Pursuing a claim against hotel corporations that allowed such heinous acts to take place may be the best course of action to secure rightful compensation.

If you are a survivor, finding a compassionate and skilled Pittsburgh car accident lawyer is the first step toward building a strong case and overcoming these barriers.

Contact a Pittsburgh Injury Lawyer About a Claim

At Logue Law Group, we represent victims of trafficking in lawsuits against hotels and their franchisors, operators, and owners. With groups in Pittsburgh, Attorney Sean Logue and his team are here to guide you through the complexities of the legal process while offering the empathy and expertise you deserve.

If you’re ready to explore your legal options, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call 844.PITT.DUI or reach out to us online for a free consultation. Your path to justice starts here.