A hurricane was expected in the vicinity of a hotel. The police ordered everyone within a 25-mile radius to evacuate, and television stations broadcast the plans for evacuation. The hotel ignored the warnings and did not inform its guests of the evacuation directive. As a result, the hurricane caused extensive damage to guests' property. Is the hotel liable for the loss under these circumstances?
A) No, a hotel is not liable when the cause of the damage was an act of God.
B) No, a hotel has no liability for guests' property.
C) Yes, a hotel is liable when it could have avoided the damage by the exercise of reasonable care.
D) Yes, a hotel is absolutely liable for all loss caused to guests' property when they are at the inn.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hotel has a duty of care towards its guests and should have informed them of the evacuation directive so that they could have taken appropriate measures to protect their property. By failing to do so, the hotel breached its duty of care and could be held liable for the resulting damages. The fact that the cause of the damage was an act of God does not absolve the hotel of its liability if it could have avoided the damage by taking reasonable care. Option A and B are incorrect as they do not address the hotel's duty of care towards its guests. Option D is incorrect as absolute liability is not applicable in this situation.

A Hurricane Was Expected in the Vicinity of a Hotel