Imagine staying in a hotel and waking up in the middle of the night to find a bat hanging in your room. That’s exactly what happened to a Phoenix family during their trip to Las Vegas. Now, they have filed a lawsuit against the hotel. Marcus Rucker, the head of the family, discovered the bat and unfortunately had to kill it to ensure everyone’s safety. The incident was reported to the hotel and the health department, who recommended rabies testing and treatment. This distressing experience has prompted the family to take legal action, claiming negligence on the part of the hotel. They are seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of ensuring the security and cleanliness of hotel rooms to prevent such unsettling encounters.
Background
Imagine you’re staying in a hotel and you wake up in the middle of the night to find a bat hanging in your room. This is exactly what happened to a family from Phoenix when they were visiting Las Vegas for a volleyball tournament. Marcus Rucker, the head of the family, discovered the bat in their room at the New York New York hotel. The incident has prompted the family to file a lawsuit against the hotel for negligence. Let’s take a closer look at the details of the incident and the subsequent legal action.
The Incident
In April of last year, Marcus Rucker and his family were staying at the New York New York hotel in Las Vegas. Along with his wife and kids, two of his kids’ friends were also staying in the room. In the middle of the night, Rucker heard a noise and woke up to investigate. To his shock, he discovered a bat hanging on the curtains in the room.
Concerned about the potential danger of the bat, Rucker made the difficult decision to kill it, fearing that it might bite someone in the room. After disposing of the bat, the family reported the incident to the hotel and the Maricopa County Health Department. The health department recommended testing the bat for rabies or getting rabies shots immediately.
The Lawsuit
Following the bat incident, the Rucker family decided to take legal action against the New York New York hotel. In their lawsuit, they allege that the hotel was negligent in allowing the bat to enter the room and endanger their safety. They are seeking at least fifteen thousand dollars for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
The lawsuit brings attention to an important issue of hotel liability and duty of care towards guests. It raises questions about the hotel’s responsibility to maintain a safe and bat-free environment for its guests.
Rabies Concerns
One of the primary concerns in this situation is the potential for rabies. Bats are known carriers of rabies and their bites can transmit the disease to humans. When the Rucker family reported the incident to the Maricopa County Health Department, they were advised to either test the bat for rabies or immediately receive rabies shots.
Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects the nervous system. It is crucial to take immediate action when a potential rabid animal is encountered to prevent the spread of the virus.
Preventing Bat Intrusions
Bats are highly skilled creatures when it comes to finding their way into confined spaces. According to Juan Ortiz, a pest control expert with 20 years of experience, bats only require less than half an inch of space to sneak into a home. This time of year happens to be the Valley’s heavy season for bat activity, as they pass through the area.
To avoid bat intrusions in your home or hotel room, it is recommended to have your property inspected to ensure that all cracks and vents are properly sealed off. Conducting regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent bats and other pests from entering your space.
Expert Opinion
Juan Ortiz, the pest control expert, emphasizes the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid bat encounters. He recommends having homes thoroughly examined and sealed off from potential entry points. By closing off all cracks and vents, you can significantly reduce the risk of bats finding their way inside.
Ortiz also advises individuals to seek professional help if a bat intrusion occurs. Bats should never be handled without proper knowledge and precautions. It is always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with these potentially rabid animals.
Hotel’s Response
As of now, there has been no official comment from the New York New York hotel or its parent company, MGM. The hotel is yet to respond to the lawsuit and the allegations of negligence. It remains to be seen how the hotel will address the situation and what measures they will take to prevent such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
Discovering a bat in your hotel room can be a distressing experience, as the Rucker family can attest. Their encounter with the bat at the New York New York hotel in Las Vegas has led them to file a lawsuit against the hotel, claiming negligence. The incident raises concerns about guest safety and the duty of care that hotels owe their patrons.
It is crucial for hotels and property owners to take proactive steps in dealing with bat intrusions and other potential hazards. Regular inspections and maintenance can help minimize the risk of these encounters, ensuring a safe and enjoyable stay for guests.
As for the Rucker family, their lawsuit aims to achieve compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The outcome of the legal proceedings will shed light on the hotel’s responsibility and may set a precedent for similar cases in the future. Ultimately, this incident serves as a reminder for both guests and hoteliers to prioritize safety and take swift action in response to potential threats.