WASHINGTON STATE HOSPITALITY LAW MANUAL Third Edition Editors and Contributors
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WASHINGTON STATE HOSPITALITY LAW MANUAL Third Edition Editors and Contributors Editor-in-Chief and Contributor: Irvin Sandman, Sandman Savrann PLLC Associate Editors and Contributors: Bryan Helfer and Nathan Luce, Foster Pepper PLLC Samantha Noonan Andria Ryan, Fisher & Phillips LLP Sandip Soli, Cairncross & Hempelmann PS Assistant Editor and Contributor: Janice Goh, University of Washington Law School Intern In 2012, the Washington Lodging Association published the Washington State Hospitality Law Manual, Third Edition, to help its members better understand the complex laws and regulations that govern lodging operations in Washington State. The edition was compiled under the leadership of Irv Sandman of Sandman Savrann PLLC in his role as editor-in-chief. It is the generosity of Irv Sandman and his team of authors and attorneys that has made it possible for the Washington Hospitality Association to provide this invaluable resource to its membership. This Manual is intended to provide education and general understanding about some of the significant legal issues facing hotels and their operations. It is not intended as legal advice, and legal counsel should be consulted before making a legal decision impacting your business. It is also important to note that federal, state and local laws and regulations are constantly changing. You and your legal counsel should make sure that you know and understand the most current laws and regulations that govern your operations and when considering your response to any legal issue. The third edition builds upon the important work of Dennis McLaughlin, Dennis McLaughlin & Associates PS, whose first two editions of the Manual also served as important reference tools for Washington hoteliers and attorneys. 510 Plum St SE, Olympia WA 98501 | Phone: (360) 956-7279 www.WAHospitality.org | StayinWashington.org © Copyright 2012 by Irvin W. Sandman and Washington Hospitality Association WASHINGTON STATE HOSPITALITY LAW MANUAL Third Edition © Copyright 2012 by Irvin W. Sandman and Washington Lodging Association Editors and Contributors Editor-in-Chief and Contributor: Irvin Sandman, Sandman Savrann PLLC Associate Editors and Contributors: Bryan Helfer and Nathan Luce, Foster Pepper PLLC Samantha Noonan, Williams Kastner Andria Ryan, Fisher & Phillips LLP Sandip Soli, Cairncross & Hempelmann P.S. Assistant Editor and Contributor: Janice Goh, University of Washington Law School Intern With special thanks for his authorship of earlier editions and his contributions to this third edition: Dennis McLaughlin, Dennis McLaughlin & Associates PS 30704 00004472 v9 Table of Contents ABOUT THE EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS ..................................................................................... 1 USE OF THIS MANUAL ....................................................................................................................... 4 PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................. 5 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 7 PART I : THE INNKEEPER AND ITS GUEST........................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1 : Innkeeper’s Duty To Receive Guests And Its Right To Refuse Guests ....................... 11 1.1. Duty to Receive Guests ...................................................................................................... 11 1.2. Federal Law ........................................................................................................................ 11 1.3. Washington Law ................................................................................................................. 12 1.4. Limited Right to Refuse Guests ......................................................................................... 15 1.5. Parties for Underage Guests.............................................................................................. 16 1.6. Summaries and Conclusions .............................................................................................. 18 Chapter 2 : Guest Reservations ...................................................................................................... 20 2.1. Form and Effect of Agreement .......................................................................................... 20 2.2. Hotel Remedies .................................................................................................................. 22 2.3. Guest Remedies ................................................................................................................. 22 2.4. Overbooking ....................................................................................................................... 23 2.5. Catering, Banquet, Meeting and Convention Contracts .................................................. 23 2.6. Gift Certificates and Cards ................................................................................................. 24 2.7. Summaries and Conclusions .............................................................................................. 24 i Chapter 3 : The Innkeeper’s Right To Evict A Guest, Tenant, Patron Or Others .......................... 26 3.1. Distinction Between Guest and Tenant ............................................................................ 26 3.2. Eviction Rights in General .................................................................................................. 26 3.3. Application of Criminal Laws. ............................................................................................ 27 3.4. Eviction for Violation of Hotel Policies .............................................................................. 27 3.5. Eviction for Overstaying ..................................................................................................... 28 3.6. Eviction Due To Illness ....................................................................................................... 28 3.7. Eviction of Persons Other Than Guests ............................................................................. 29 3.8. Summaries and Conclusions .............................................................................................. 30 Chapter 4 : Guest Rights To Privacy ............................................................................................... 31 4.1. The Innkeeper’s Right to Protect the Guest’s Privacy ...................................................... 31 4.2. The Innkeeper’s Obligation to Protect the Guest’s Privacy ............................................. 33 4.3. Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................................ 34 Chapter 5 : The Innkeeper’s Duty to Protect Guests from Injury ................................................. 35 5.1. Reasonable Care Rule ........................................................................................................ 35 5.2. Contributory v. Comparative Negligence .......................................................................... 36 5.3. Violation of Laws and Regulations—Negligence “Per se” ................................................ 37 5.4. Cases: Fact Patterns and Decisions .................................................................................. 38 5.5. Keys and Access Cards ....................................................................................................... 44 5.6. Acts of Hotel Employees .................................................................................................... 45 5.7. Acts of Other Guests and Patrons ..................................................................................... 46 5.8. Use of Exculpatory Language ............................................................................................ 47 5.9. Hotel Security Tips ............................................................................................................. 47 ii 5.10. Working with Insurers and Counsel ............................................................................... 49 5.11. Summaries and Conclusions .......................................................................................... 50 Chapter 6 : The Innkeeper’s Liability for Guest Property .............................................................. 52 6.1. Washington State Statutes Limiting Liability .................................................................... 52 6.2. “Valuables” ......................................................................................................................... 53 6.3. Other Personal Property .................................................................................................... 55 6.4. Unclaimed Property ........................................................................................................... 55 6.5. Handling Mail for Hotel Guests ......................................................................................... 56 6.6. “Intangible Property” ......................................................................................................... 56 6.7. Liability for Guest Vehicles ................................................................................................ 57 6.8. Training ..............................................................................................................................