CHICAGO — A Chicago woman has filed suit against Hilton Hotels and a spa services company at Hilton's Highland Dallas Curio hotel in Dallas, alleging they did not do enough to prevent sexual abuse she claimed occurred during a massage, prompting her to flee and fall down a stairwell in an attempt to seek help.
On Aug. 19, the woman filed her complaint in Cook County Circuit Court, naming as defendants spa operator Exhale Enterprises VIII Inc.; Hilton Worldwide Inc. d/b/a Hilton Hotels; hotel operator, The Curio Collection; The Highland Dallas; The Curio Collection,Ltd. d/b/a The Highland Dallas; and the masseur, individually and as an agent, employee and or apparent agent of Exhale Enterprises VIII Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Inc. and The Curio Collection Ltd., alleging negligence, sexual harassment and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
According to the complaint, the woman alleges that on Feb. 29, she was receiving a massage from the male masseur at the hotel, when he allegedly touched her inappropriately and refused to stop when the woman asked him to. He then allegedly reluctantly allowed her to leave the room. The woman then alleged she attempted to use the hotel's stairs to descend to the lobby to seek help, but tripped and fell, suffering broken bones. The woman holds the corporate defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to properly screen their employees and properly maintain their staircase free of any hazard that could cause injuries to their guests. They hold the masseur responsible for his alleged actions.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendants of more than $2 million, plus court costs. She is represented by Michael Kosner of The Deratany Firm in Chicago.