TRY ME!
Hotel Theft Legal Options
Summary
If your belongings were stolen from a hotel room in California, you can file a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Additionally, you may consider pursuing a small claims court case for the stolen items and poor room conditions. Gather all relevant documentation, such as police reports and communications with the hotel, to support your case. The small claims court limit in California is $10,000 for individuals. Consulting a local attorney can provide further guidance on your rights and options.Full Conversation
I had my personal belongings, wallet which had my ID, my gas card among other things, $*. It was stolen from a hotel, Travelers Motel, where I was given a voucher for a night stay by a shelter that gets you out of temperatures below * degrees.
I'm really sorry to hear that, ****. Have you already reported the theft to the police and the hotel management?
Yes I have reported the theft to both the hotel manager as well as the program that issues me the voucher (which was $*/night) and the shelter said they can't do anything but I feel they should be able to look into or do something. I had just got my ID to be able to get the voucher. The hotel manager has done nothing and has behaved like she doesn't know what happened.
Hi ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Here are some general steps you can take in California:
- File a Police Report: Ensure you have reported the theft to the local police.
- Request Review: Ask the hotel to review any surveillance footage.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all communication with the hotel and shelter.
- Seek Legal Advice: Consider contacting a local attorney for further assistance.
Would you like to be connected to a local lawyer who can help you with your case?
- File a Police Report: Ensure you have reported the theft to the local police.
- Request Review: Ask the hotel to review any surveillance footage.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all communication with the hotel and shelter.
- Seek Legal Advice: Consider contacting a local attorney for further assistance.
Would you like to be connected to a local lawyer who can help you with your case?
When I got there to get the room she took my info and voucher to check me in, then realized she didn't have a room. So she ended up putting me into what was a storage room with a single mattress in there. Later giving me a regular room which was completely unsanitary, had the garbage and mess from who ever was last in there. No bedding changed and bed empty of linens period, old wet towels on the floor with no new towels. Sink was grimed with hair and gunk because of the slow drain, plumbing wasn't working right.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, it sounds like you have been through a tough situation. Since you've reported the theft and the hotel manager has not been helpful, you might consider taking further action. Here are some additional steps you could consider:
- File a Complaint: Report the hotel's conduct to the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Small Claims Court: Consider filing a claim in small claims court for the theft and poor conditions.
- Legal Consultation: Consulting a local attorney could provide you with specific guidance and help you understand your rights.
Would you like more detailed information on any of these steps?
Hi ****, it sounds like you have been through a tough situation. Since you've reported the theft and the hotel manager has not been helpful, you might consider taking further action. Here are some additional steps you could consider:
- File a Complaint: Report the hotel's conduct to the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Small Claims Court: Consider filing a claim in small claims court for the theft and poor conditions.
- Legal Consultation: Consulting a local attorney could provide you with specific guidance and help you understand your rights.
Would you like more detailed information on any of these steps?
After I was put into the room and got my belongings in, I went outside to have a cigarette..there's no smoking inside..when I came back up about * minutes later there was a couple in the room, that fast! I went to tell the manager and she just had them bring anything in there down which was only my wallet with my ID, $, and gas card missing from it.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, it seems like you have had a very difficult experience. Given the circumstances, filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs and considering small claims court might be beneficial.
Would you like more detailed information on how to proceed with filing a complaint or taking your case to small claims court?
Hi ****, it seems like you have had a very difficult experience. Given the circumstances, filing a complaint with the California Department of Consumer Affairs and considering small claims court might be beneficial.
Would you like more detailed information on how to proceed with filing a complaint or taking your case to small claims court?
Yes please.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, here are the steps you can take to file a complaint and consider small claims court:
Hi ****, here are the steps you can take to file a complaint and consider small claims court:
Filing a Complaint:
- Contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs: Report the hotel's conduct and your experience. They can investigate and take appropriate action.
- Website: www.dca.ca.gov
- Phone: (*) *-*
- Contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs: Report the hotel's conduct and your experience. They can investigate and take appropriate action.
- Website: www.dca.ca.gov
- Phone: (*) *-*
Small Claims Court:
- Claim: You can file a claim for the stolen belongings and the condition of the room.
- Limit: In California, the limit is $*,* for individuals.
- Preparation: Gather all your documentation, including police reports, communications with the hotel, and any evidence of the room conditions.
Would you like more detailed steps on how to file a small claims court case?
- Claim: You can file a claim for the stolen belongings and the condition of the room.
- Limit: In California, the limit is $*,* for individuals.
- Preparation: Gather all your documentation, including police reports, communications with the hotel, and any evidence of the room conditions.
Would you like more detailed steps on how to file a small claims court case?
I walked around the whole night and I have an elderly father who has medical problems with his lungs and walking. He was able to stay where he waited for me to come for him in his truck which the whole thing caused us both to be in the element of the weather and completely was a health hazard and risk of both our wellbeing! I wasn't able to get the manager to even just give me a room for the next night or the voucher back so I could take it back to the shelter and get another with the next days date since I didn't stay. All my belongings were gone as quickly as *-* min. After waiting in a storage closet with a mattress in it for a couple hours.. maybe less.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, it sounds like you have had a very difficult time. Given the circumstances, it seems like you might benefit from taking legal action. Here are the detailed steps for filing a small claims court case:
- Identify the Defendant: This would be the hotel or its management.
- Complete the Forms: Fill out the necessary court forms, such as the Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (Form SC-*).
- File Your Claim: Submit your completed forms to the court clerk. There will be a filing fee.
- Serve the Defendant: Ensure the defendant receives a copy of the filed forms. This can be done via personal service or substituted service.
- Prepare for Your Hearing: Collect all relevant evidence, such as receipts, photos, police reports, and witness statements.
Would you like more detailed instructions on any specific part of this process?
Hi ****, it sounds like you have had a very difficult time. Given the circumstances, it seems like you might benefit from taking legal action. Here are the detailed steps for filing a small claims court case:
- Identify the Defendant: This would be the hotel or its management.
- Complete the Forms: Fill out the necessary court forms, such as the Plaintiff’s Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court (Form SC-*).
- File Your Claim: Submit your completed forms to the court clerk. There will be a filing fee.
- Serve the Defendant: Ensure the defendant receives a copy of the filed forms. This can be done via personal service or substituted service.
- Prepare for Your Hearing: Collect all relevant evidence, such as receipts, photos, police reports, and witness statements.
Would you like more detailed instructions on any specific part of this process?
She wouldn't give me a receipt or a copy of my check in cars or the voucher from the care center.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, it sounds like you’ve had a really tough experience. Given your situation, filing a small claims court case seems like a strong option for you. Here’s what you can do if you don't have a receipt or the voucher:
- Obtain Witness Statements: Get statements from anyone who can confirm your story.
- Document Everything: Keep all records of communications and take photos if possible.
- Request Copies: Ask the shelter for a copy of the voucher or any documentation they have.
Would you like more detailed instructions on any specific part of this process?
Hi ****, it sounds like you’ve had a really tough experience. Given your situation, filing a small claims court case seems like a strong option for you. Here’s what you can do if you don't have a receipt or the voucher:
- Obtain Witness Statements: Get statements from anyone who can confirm your story.
- Document Everything: Keep all records of communications and take photos if possible.
- Request Copies: Ask the shelter for a copy of the voucher or any documentation they have.
Would you like more detailed instructions on any specific part of this process?
I have no evidence, except I hopefully can get a copy of the information they took to issue me the voucher at the care center and possibly see if they can show the voucher was cashed for the fee of the night stay which I will do first thing. Is there anything you suggest that I can do immediately to have the manager compensate anything? I have no $, no ID now, to even get started on any of this. My phone has no wifi..I'm using my cousin's phone to have this conversation.
Case Rating: *
Hi ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Document Everything: Write down all the details of what happened, including dates, times, and names of people involved.
- Request Copies: Go to the care center and request a copy of the voucher and any related documentation.
- Contact Legal Aid: Look for local legal aid organizations that might offer free assistance.
- File a Police Report: Ensure you have an official record of the theft.
Would you like more detailed information on how to proceed with any of these steps?
Hi ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Document Everything: Write down all the details of what happened, including dates, times, and names of people involved.
- Request Copies: Go to the care center and request a copy of the voucher and any related documentation.
- Contact Legal Aid: Look for local legal aid organizations that might offer free assistance.
- File a Police Report: Ensure you have an official record of the theft.
Would you like more detailed information on how to proceed with any of these steps?
Start a new chat