Warner Robins, GA
As a hotel sex trafficking lawyer, Attorney Josh Palmer represents survivors in civil lawsuits against the hotels and businesses that profited from their exploitation. Hotels and motels are among the most common places where sex trafficking happens. When a hotel owner, operator, or brand profits from rooms rented to traffickers and ignores the warning signs, federal law may allow survivors to hold that business accountable.
Your conversation with us is confidential. You do not need to have reported to police, and you do not need to have all the details figured out.
Yes, in many cases. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) gives survivors the right to file a civil lawsuit under 18 U.S.C. § 1595. That law reaches not only the trafficker, but also anyone who knowingly benefits from participating in a venture that they knew, or should have known, was engaged in trafficking.
For hotels, that “benefit” is often the room revenue paid by traffickers or their buyers. Courts look at whether the hotel took part in an ongoing business relationship with the trafficking venture and whether staff or management knew or should have known what was happening. Depending on the facts, claims may be brought against:
The businesses that operated the property and collected the room revenue.
Companies that ran day-to-day operations, hiring, and staff training.
Brands that controlled policies, training, reservation systems, or security standards.
Like other premises liability cases, these claims focus on what a property owner knew and failed to address. A civil case is also separate from any criminal case. You do not need a criminal conviction of the trafficker to bring a civil claim.
Many hotel cases turn on what staff saw and ignored. Common red flags include:
Hotel industry groups and major brands have known about these warning signs for years. When a property kept renting rooms anyway, that history can matter in a lawsuit.
Every case is different, and no result can be guaranteed. Depending on the facts, a TVPA civil claim may seek:
The TVPA generally allows a civil action to be filed within 10 years after the cause of action arose. If the survivor was a minor at the time, the deadline is generally 10 years after the survivor turns 18, whichever is later. Other state-law claims may have shorter deadlines, so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as you are ready.
We discuss options for protecting your identity, including asking the court to let you proceed under a pseudonym such as “Jane Doe.”
You set the pace. You will not be pressured to share more than you are ready to.
We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
For cases outside Georgia and North Carolina, we may work with trusted co-counsel licensed in your state.
Civil hotel trafficking cases are brought against the businesses that profited, not necessarily the trafficker. Many cases resolve without trial, and we will talk with you about every step before it happens.
You may still have a claim. The TVPA’s 10-year deadline, and the extension for survivors who were minors, give many survivors time to come forward. A free consultation with a hotel sex trafficking lawyer can help determine whether your claim is still timely.
That does not prevent you from bringing a civil claim. Many survivors were forced into situations that led to arrests. Tell us what happened so we can evaluate your options.
No. Hotel records, reservation data, surveillance policies, and other evidence are obtained through the legal process. You only need to share what you remember.
You survived something no one should endure, and the businesses that profited may be held responsible. Call Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm or send us a confidential message to schedule a free consultation.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support 24/7, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.