Ladies, clean up afterwards!

[Svend]

Hotel Guests Sue Over Vegas Condom Shocker
Claim: Girl, 5, found used rubber, placed item in her mouth

JULY 18--Claiming that their young daughter discovered a used condom in a Las Vegas hotel bed and then put the rubber in her mouth, a Scottish couple is suing Caesar's Palace for negligence and emotional distress. According to a lawsuit filed July 13 in Clark County District Court, five-year-old Caitlin Kilcoyne found the condom during a July 2004 Sin City visit with her parents Gerald and Jacqueline. Caitlin "found a used condom in the made up bed in her room...and placed the condom in her mouth," notes the complaint, a copy of which you'll find below. The Kilcoynes contend that, following the incident, they incurred expenses for medical treatment, hospitalization, x-rays, drugs, and "evaluation and treatment of Caitlin's condition." The lawsuit does not indicate what, if any, lasting damage was caused to the child. The complaint, which seeks in excess of $10,000 in damages, claims that the family has suffered "shock, horror, fear, anxiety, and distress."
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0718062condom1.html

 

[Jade4u]

I think any parent would freek out about that.

 

[tboy]

Interesting topic and you could debate both sides forever. On the parent's side they/us should expect a reasonably clean and prepped room upon arrival but to what extent is the hotel liable if it isn't?

On the hotel side the parents should have been keeping a closer watch on their child and should have taught them not to put unknown items into their mouths. So what would have happened if she had put a mini bottle of scotch in her mouth from the mini bar? Or stuck her finger in an outlet? (they are different over here, than scotland).

As for emotional distress, I am sure the docs would have explained to the family that not many diseases survive outside the body for any length of time so the chance of her contracting anything serious is negligable.

With this in mind I wonder why the hell they took x-rays?

If you read the entire report it states that both the parents were in close proximity to the child when she put it in her mouth...Umm why didn't they umm stop her?

This event was 2 yrs ago, I wonder why they waited so long and you'd think by this time they would have discovered if the child contracted anything?

They are also suing for loss of earnings they will incur DURING THE TRIAL (well, I don't know about this because they wouldn't incur these losses if they weren't suing so..)

ANyhow, I can see the hotel wanting the condom to check and see if it wasn't the parent's and if they don't have it to exaimine, it will be up to the plaintiffs to prove that it isn't and they didn't plant it (not totally unreasonable).

ANyhow, yes, make sure you toss out your condoms after you're done...and word of warning for parents, don't assume a rented room is as safe as your home because they AREN'T child proof.

 

[rip_hymen]

I for one call Bullshit on this one. This is so stupid and unbelievable that it MUST be American. I have a 6 year old and she doesn't go around puting things in her mouth at random, especially something she finds in a bed. She also knows better than to touch a light socket or an electrical outlet. She was taught those lessons quite some time ago. I think that this is just another opportunity for a frivilous lawsuit and big payoff. Like "larry the cable guy" says, I'm gonna sue Hustler for giving me carpal tunnel.

 

[Jade4u]

Actually, Hepatitis B can live outside the body for a week or more.

 

[tboy]

Actually, Hepatitis B can live outside the body for a week or more.

and after 2 years they would have found this by now yet don't say a word in the lawsuit.....

 

[Thousand]

Sorry tboy, the parents have every right to sue the hotel.

Think not who is at fault, but think of how things could be better prevented in the future. The most effective and controllable way to prevent this is to bring management's attention to the cleaniness of the rooms. When they know they could sued for at least $10,000.00, they would put cleaniness as their priority.

It's not possible for guests to check every place for condoms and needles. Beside, the main reason why people pay a bit more to go to a hotel is for the cleaniness, safety, and luxury. If the hotel couldn't provide that, then I think the hotel should have refunded the money.

I am surprise that Caesar's Palace didn't settle this under the table. This could damage their reputation.

Thousand

 

[Thousand]

and after 2 years they would have found this by now yet don't say a word in the lawsuit.....

They probably have filed another lawsuit, but they probably have to wait for another 2 years for the hearing.

 

[Sasha Jones]

Sure, a 5 yr old prolly doesn't go around putting everything she sees in her mouth quite like a 1 yr old, but for a child who had never been taught or shown what a condom is she migh very well have thought it was a balloon.

But x-rays? Seriously, you have got to be joking.

 

[Meister]

The complaint, which seeks in excess of $10,000 in damages, claims that the family has suffered "shock, horror, fear, anxiety, and distress."
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0718062condom1.html

You know the parents must have been from Europe when they asked for only 10k. A North American couple would have sued for 100000 dollars plus legal costs and would have been showcased on nightly specials with "Nancy Grace".

 

[goodtime]

Think a mother last year sued the city as her child play with a used condom in downtown park.

Beside, the main reason why people pay a bit more to go to a hotel is for the cleaniness, safety, and luxury. If the hotel couldn't provide that, then I think the hotel should have refunded the money.

I am surprise that Caesar's Palace didn't settle this under the table. This could damage their reputation.

Thousand

They probably run the DNA sample to see if the person has a record - domestic or import. Weapon of pleasure...

Think of the free ad this brings. Caesar is lover-friendly hotel.

 

[tboy]

You know the parents must have been from Europe when they asked for only 10k. A North American couple would have sued for 100000 dollars plus legal costs and would have been showcased on nightly specials with "Nancy Grace".

Nevermind 100K, a N.A. couple would have listed it as a cool mill at least....

As for what to expect when staying at a hotel, yes you can expect a reasonably clean and safe room but remember: the maids have what 10 minutes to clean and check the room and something like a condom in a bed would be hard to spot. Especially if the bed didn't look used.

I bet that Ceasar's DID make an offer to settle this out of court but the couple refused due to future possible health risks. Hell, Ceasar's probably makes 10K a minute. I'd say this will be settled out of court with a non-disclosure agreement because if it gets out that they settled for a large amount and why, everyone will be doing this.

As for the child thinking it was a balloon, well, they shouldn't be putting balloons in their mouth either! What if they were in a park and she found one? That would be even more scary.

Just another example IMHO of bad parenting.

 

[isastud]

Do you have a child?

Tboy,
Do you have children? Depending on the age of the child, it is perfectly reasonable and expected that everything goes in the month. It is a tough job being a parent and to blame the child and/or parent is not reasonable in MHO.

The condom should not have been in the bed, period. Certainly I expect the sheets to be changed when I check into a room and I certainly expect not to find condoms and other signs of sex in my cleanly changed bed.

If this had happened to me, I would be very upset too. Hepatitis B and C are very serious and can and do survive outside of the body for a very long time.

 

[Papi Chulo]

Hotel Guests Sue Over Vegas Condom Shocker
Claim: Girl, 5, found used rubber, placed item in her mouth

JULY 18--Claiming that their young daughter discovered a used condom in a Las Vegas hotel bed and then put the rubber in her mouth, a Scottish couple is suing Caesar's Palace for negligence and emotional distress. According to a lawsuit filed July 13 in Clark County District Court, five-year-old Caitlin Kilcoyne found the condom during a July 2004 Sin City visit with her parents Gerald and Jacqueline. Caitlin "found a used condom in the made up bed in her room...and placed the condom in her mouth," notes the complaint, a copy of which you'll find below. The Kilcoynes contend that, following the incident, they incurred expenses for medical treatment, hospitalization, x-rays, drugs, and "evaluation and treatment of Caitlin's condition." The lawsuit does not indicate what, if any, lasting damage was caused to the child. The complaint, which seeks in excess of $10,000 in damages, claims that the family has suffered "shock, horror, fear, anxiety, and distress."
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0718062condom1.html

I don't see what this has to do with the ladies... the hotel staff did not do their job properly when preparing the room.

For all you know, it was not even a "working lady" who had rented the room previously... it may have been a gay male couple.

 

[High_Roller]

WHERE in the bed?

I think it's reasonable to expect that the sheets be changed and that the comforter be straightened out. And that whatever items are found either get thrown away or placed in lost and found if they are of any value.

But underneath the bed, between the boxspring and the floor? Hahahaha. I sincerely doubt if any hotels clean underneath there, let alone play "what-if" scenarios for children. And how? I don't know of too many vacuum cleaners that can reach down there.

You're better off not going down there.

 

[tboy]

Exactly my sentiments!

The housekeeper in charge of changing the bed linens should be fired!

Forget about condoms, what about bed bugs...now that is just plain disgusting. I remember there was a story late last year of a woman who had severe bed bug bites all over her body and sued this resort in the Islands!

Bottom line I am AMERICAN, I travel and stay at different hotels in the states and pay damn good money too but I for one would not hesitate to get crazy on the hotel for not changing my FUKKING LINENS!

"Bottom line I am AMERICAN, " lol that is tff....to quote one of your own border patrol officers when he was questioning one of your countrymen who was trying to cross the border without ID: BIG FUCKING DEAL..... So you being american gives you what, special treatment? LOL I guess that is why americans have a bad rap: they think everywhere they go, they expect nothing but the best, exactly the way it is at home. Well, sorry, the world doesn't revolve around you guys, get used to it!

Anyhow, if you think a hotel room is prepared perfectly everytime and will be as clean as your own home, then give your head a shake. It ain't.....you can't expect ANYONE to be perfect ALL the time. Heck, even FEDEX works on a 90% efficiency rate (and with shipping 10 million packages a day, they lose a million of em).

To expect a housekeeper to catch everything, in every room, every day, well, that's just ludicrous.

Bottom line is the housekeeper should be reprimanded NOT fired.

No I don't have kids, but if I did, at 2 they would know not to put strange objects in their mouth. EOS.

If I had a 5 yr old, I certainly wouldn't take them to vegas, disneyland maybe but not vegas...wtf were they thinking? If you take a child to a place who's nickname is "sin city" don't be surprised if people GASP sin there!

Let me ask you this: if they took the kid to McD's and there was a fry under the table and the kid ate it would they sue McD's? Probably but if the parents didn't teach the kid not to eat off the floor, then that is THEIR problem, not McD's.....

 

[Meister]

Heck, even FEDEX works on a 90% efficiency rate (and with shipping 10 million packages a day, they lose a million of em).

That seems high. I have used Fedex for about 15 years averaging 1 box a day. They have lost 1 shipment so far.

 

[JoyfulC]

Isn't there some law requiring at least a total change of sheets and towels (whether used or not) in between guests?

When I stay in hotels, I usually try to keep the beds made (for obvious reasons), but when I leave, I tear them down so that there's no mistaking that they should be re-linened.

That said, though, one would think that hotels would remake all beds and at least do a cursory check under them and throughout the room before clearing it for the next guest.

I don't believe it, though. Last time I stayed in Kingston, my last appointment of the evening had a cell phone that vibrated. Hours after he left, I heard a noise that sounded very much like this. I was convinced he'd dropped his cell -- although it turned out later to be the way the wind was hitting the vent in the fresh air outlet. I got up several times and searched the room -- reluctantly finally searching under the beds. Let's face it, they don't clean under them too much!! Even the bedspreads are not changed all that often and are rife with all kinds of bio-agents. YUCK!!

I'd rather work at my place. Clean sheets. Clean towels. Peace of mind!!!!

..c..

 

[GirlFriends Toronto]

this, that and the other

The lawsuit does not indicate what, if any, lasting damage was caused to the child. The complaint, which seeks in excess of $10,000 in damages, claims that the family has suffered "shock, horror, fear, anxiety, and distress."
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0718062condom1.html

$10,000 sounds really really cheap. Not a good bargaining tool to start.

I think a few more zeros need to be added.

Also keep in mind it's Caesar's Palace.

off topic:
Some wonder why I think it is disgusting to see girls do photo shoots on hotel bedspreads. Remember Mike Tyson's DNA was found with many other samples and could not be used as evidence.

this-used condoms
that-nasty bedspreads
the other-bed bugs

even the best hotels should be heavily scrutinized.

 

[tboy]

That seems high. I have used Fedex for about 15 years averaging 1 box a day. They have lost 1 shipment so far.

I agree, I've never lost a shipment with them either but then again, we're probably doing the easy ones, like within canada, or canada-us.

They probably misplace more between continents or in places like zimbabwe-kenya.....(where the lions eat the delivery guy lol).

I forget what business book I was reading but it had stats like this (documented) for various business models etc. It was from a few years ago so with new technology they have probably reduced their deficiency rate.