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Subscribe to RSSTwo former guests at a downtown Los Angeles hotel where the decomposing body of a 21-year-old Canadian tourist was found in a water cistern have sued the hotel.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court by Steven and Gloria Cott against the Cecil Hotel, one week after Elisa Lam was discovered at the bottom of a 4-foot-by-8-foot tank on the building's roof, The Associated Press reported.
The Cotts say that when they paid $150 for a two-night stay at the 15-story hotel they were promised running water safe for drinking and washing.
During their visit, Lam's body was found by a maintenance worker after hotel guests complained the building's water pressure was too low, police said.
The Vancouver, B.C., native had been last seen on Jan. 31 and is the subject of an LAPD homicide investigation, according to NBC Los Angeles. An autopsy was performed, but the official cause of death has not been disclosed.
Los Angeles health officials announced last week that water from the hotel's tanks does not contain harmful bacteria.
Ho / AFP - Getty Images
This undated image released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Elisa Lam of Vancouver, Canada.
Samples taken from inside the water cistern and within the building all tested negative for fecal coliforms and total coliforms, according to Angelo Bellomo, director of environmental health for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
"It's likely there was sufficient chlorine in the tank to destroy any bacteria that might have otherwise been present," Bellomo said.
A do-not-drink order is still in place in the building, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Representatives for the Cecil Hotel did not return calls for comment.
Related: No harmful bacteria in hotel water tank where dead tourist was found
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This lawsuit is a no brainer - how could the hotel not secure something so vital as the water tanks??? I hope the guests take them to the cleaners.
Unless they were physically harmed by this, their lawsuits should be thrown out. Just because it happened doesn't mean it brought actual, quantifiable harm to any of the guests. Our overly litigious society is eating itself alive with stupidity and fear of being sued by everyone for everything. It's like a bunch of feral dogs ripping each other to shreds over a rotting carcass.
You know we're screwed when parents feel the need to ask other parents to sign waivers before allowing friends of their children to attend birthday parties at their houses, for fear of being sued if the child's friends hurt themselves in the normal course of being kids. And it's lawsuits just like this, and these asinine class action suits against Anheiser-Busch over beer and such, that are to blame.
This whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The water was tested to be "safe"...ok...so why is there a "do not drink" still in effect? Hmmmmm....
Betty...it is greedy people like you that make scum sucking lawyers the bottom dwellers they are....all you want is money for nothing...just like the greedy folks in the law suit....
Typical liberals...always looking for something that doesn't belong to them and that they haven't earned.
Some people just look for opportunities to sue.
I hope they get nothing. I don't even know of a single person who drinks the water when out of town in a hotel anyway. They all drink bottled water. The only way they would have a case is if they got sick and it was proven that it was from the water...
The hotel should ship a couple cases of bottled water to the Cott's house just for a laugh.
Betty, sounds like you work for the hindsight committee. What is your recommendation for future "security" measures to apply to all water supply tanks ?
the thing I noticed in the article last week, was that they said they tested it. The article also said it was not hooked up to the water supply.
Just a couple freeloaders hoping for an "entitlement" payout because they really deserve it...really, imagine the suffering they went through.
And there is one more conspiracy theory no one has thought about: it is possible a hotel employee is behind the grisly scene and therefore access could have been possible. If I am correct, all emergency access to the building's rooftop were locked. The only other possible way for anyone to get to the top was probably by way of the fire escape. This is still an ongoing investigation so without much information any civil lawsuit brought against the hotel could be prolonged or tossed. Intent to harm guests is already out the window. Negligence will have to be proven but that will come through the investigation at best. And if no one was harmed by drinking the water, there is not much they stand to get from the suit other than a refund for their stay. HINT: they should have left the hotel immediately upon discovery of the body in the water tank. If they stayed, doubt they will have anything to explain since there are numerous hotels in the area.
Funny, in Iowa in any given county, the largest thief of tax dollars will be a "conservative" 'christian" republican.
I doubt you neocon bag boyz even realize the government spends about 50% on corporate welfare than social welfare. You just keep parroting what your masters tell you. God what losers you are. Might as put a bull ring in your nose.
Julieann,
Below is my post when the story first came out on Feb 20th...
ArmedWombat,
WTF are you even talking about?! I think your rant is on the wrong story dude. If not, then take your meds or something. Loser.... Two way street dude...
You need to be led around by your tongue ring to the correct location...
I suppose this dose bring up a security issue. If a body made it in that tank, it could just as easily been open to terrorists to poison. These tanks should be secured and the coming and goings of ALL personnel strictly monitored. I think opening a tank like that should literally set off alarms.
Dee-3628888
Some overbearing city regulation most likely.
Reminds me of a story that happened to me several months ago... I had booked a room in a nice, upscale hotel who had guaranteed me a good night of sleep. However, to my dismay the next morning, I woke up unrefreshed, with a dull pain in my lower back. I was furious, and fervidly yearning for someone to test my patience. Lucky for me, hotel management had the AUDACITY to assume my night of sleep went well when they said, "Safe travels sir, thank you for staying with us and I do hope you enjoyed our comfortable beds."
A trigger erupted in my head, I exploded and went off on what some are calling the most obscene, putrid, cyclonic outburst this side of the Mississippi River since 1993.
I took them to court and we reached a settlement through third party arbitration. I received $953,000 for my hardships and sore back. I mean, they had promised me a comfortable night of sleep. How dare them lie to the likes of ME? I am now celebrating my near death experience in a penthouse on South Beach.
Moral of the story: S*** happens, Betty. No one will respect you with that current mindset.
I'm not a religious person, but preach on L.J. Rhodes, preach on.
What a low life idiot you are Betty.
....ummm, yeah, right. I just don't see them asking if the water was safe when they checked into the hotel. C'mon, when was the last time ANYONE did that? Canuks or not, it's not something that a normal person would ask when booking a room.
Is your water tank secured? Should you be sued for everything because your water tank is vulnerable to compromise? You are what is wrong with America today. You want to suck money from a hotel with a freakin water tank on it's roof no different than thousands upon thousands of hotels and other like building across the U.S. and all over the world. This is a fine example of why our court systems over ghastyly over budget in costs wich has ultimately squandared billions of tax dollars and has raised insurance cost on all citizens and companies. It's like America has turned into some awful, horrible animal that's feeding on it's own intestins and doesn't even realize it. You Betty, are a walking, talking example of that animal that our country has deteriated to.
Betty's way of thinking is not the only issue. You have a society that is bent on money first. People a vary distant 3erd behind general selfishness. I would not be to surprise at all of the woman found in the tank was ultimately the victim of something that could be traced back to money or greed.
We live in a country so enamored with money and the " get yours first " mentality that we can not see human life as anything other then something to be disrespected and destroyed when it gets in the way of something we want.
It is certainly not just the attitude of ligation for everything possible.
Betty you are a twit and I echo what the others are saying as you are poster child for what is wrong with America and society today; but not holding my breath for you to grasp how wrong you are. Unless they got sick, they don't have a leg to stand on; even then how would the hotel be responsible, you think they purposely put the body there?? What type of security do they need on the tanks? It was on the roof that was fenced in with alarm. Honestly simple no trespassing or authorized personal only beyond on this point signage should be enough. After that it is the persons fault for going someplace they shouldn't be. Lets apply your logic to highways, should we fence in all highways because someone is too dumb to stay of one and wonders into oncoming traffic? Perhaps sue the driver for not yielding and expecting a person to be walking in the middle of a highway. Makes sense right???
BS lawsuits like this have got to stop and are more of a reason why we need reforms to stop this nonsense, it is one of the key things killing this contry - Days is right on target. Billions wasted on crap like this. Only winners are the lawyers and guess how many are in elected positions? More of the problem.
I am curious as to what happened to cause this. Might be some foul play involved here. Sorry for this girls family, after all someone did die but who cares about that, where's my money.
It is time
Technically, the hotel quests were drinking broth.
Give me a break. Not everybody left of center agrees that this lawsuit should go forward.
The hotel is another victim in all this. It must be extremely damaging to their image that so many people have died in their hotel. [man, getting to be too many to be a coincidence]. These people--sigh, probably entitlement minded republicans for all we know--are victims trying to sue other victims. There is no realistic way that the hotel would figure out that there was a dead body in their water tank.
These people would sue if some dead body was spreading mold into their bathroom from behind the wall. It has nothing to do with political party. It's just selfishness, and that is a rather widespread vice. Though if you asked me the GOP is selfish--that's just an opinion to balance out the political garbage spewing on this thread.
Lawsuits also require proof of damages. It seems the hotel was not intentionally negligent and the plaintiffs do not appear to be damaged in any way.
The United States, the country where everyone wants a hand-out. This country is going down, and fast.
If you want to know what's wrong with America these days, take a look at Paul Ryan.
Willing to accept government aid in his youth and then try to destroy it later for political purposes?
Sets up a fake charity video of him scrubbing already clean pots?
Argues for entitlements and the "dribble-down effect"?
wants to criminally prosecute women who have abortions?
Homophobe? doesn't comprehend climate change? How I could go on.
Strato, people like you are so incredibly pathetic that you are attacking Paul Ryan on an article about people suing a Hotel becasue they don't like that the water may have been tainted.
Do you ever feel like you are just a nutball? You should.
I am not "sue happy" but I know I would be extremely upset to know that I was up close and personal with a dead body via the water that was in my hotel room. I'd sue, too. Gross! Those tanks should be locked up tight and not available to anyone but maintenance personnel.
FYI I'm responding to other people who are attacking the left because of a murder in a hotel.
I think that endless political garbage is pathetic. But I didn't start it. Have a nice day.
stratocumulus
What, are you like 6 years old? When has that excuse EVER worked???
To keep it on the politcal talking points that apparently strato likes, "Bush started the deficit, so it is fine for Obama to keep raising it." Essentially, 'HE started it'
There were complaints about the water pressure and that is why they even checked that tank. "A do-not-drink order is still in place in the building," So I think we need to double check the guy checking the bacteria levels.
It is a sad testament to our society that the first instinct is to sue. As a former hotel manager I can tell you that the cost of "frivolous" lawsuits is one of the reasons that room rates are as high as they are. The insurance cost continues to go up because of drive by ADA lawsuits from people who have never stayed at the hotel, people who sue because they turned their ankle walking across the grass instead of the perfectly good sidewalk that was provided and those wonders who break a glass in their room and then file suit because they cut themselves on a hotel glass.
As Creek Dog said the roof was secured and it was most likely a hotel employee unless the alarm is not monitored or goes off so often that the staff ignores it. In that case the hotel would be negligent. I know I would be seriously grossed out after this situation (even the thought of showering in water that had a dead body gives me the heebie jeebies) but suing the hotel is just a way they see for a fast buck.
Oh, and Markutk, I really hope you were being sarcastic. If not, let me tell you as someone no longer in the business you are the type of guest we hated. If you have a problem in the hotel, tell the front desk, if they don't fix it ask for a manager, go up to the general manager if you have to. If you get no satisfaction go to their corporate office. But not getting a good night's sleep just because you didn't like the bed? Unless it was old and broken down you don't even deserve your money back. If a guest is disturbed throughout the night (but realize this is not your home and you may hear doors slamming, etc), you have no heat or air conditioning, no hot water, the room is not what you booked (you were downgraded up on check in) you may be entitled to a free night or breakfast...not thousands of dollars. Give them a chance to make you happy, don't immediately jump to suing a business.
I'm not even going to think of a witty remark. All I'm going to say is yes, it was pure, unadulterated sarcasm. Next time pay attention to my context clues and in this instance, the last two lines of my previous post... I'm upset with myself for even responding to this.
I generally add a few drops of bleach to any glass of water that came from a tub containing a rotting human. Just seems to round out the flavors & help the digestive tract.
LMAO - thank you, Marge. I will remember this tip. Too funny.
Another crop of sue-happy morons looking for a quick payday. How is the hotel supposed to know some psycho put a girl's dead body in their water supply? What are they supposed to do, conduct a "dead body" inspection daily? You know what, you need to just chalk this up as an unpleasant experience and MOVE ON. If your health had become negatively affected by the body in the water, you'd have a case. But as it is it's just a gross thing that happened that no one could expect. Your real suit should be against the creep who put that unfortunate girl in the water in the first place. But THEY probably don't have deep pockets, do they? Call off the ambulance chasers; you look silly.
Ya Saffie, I'm with you. Show me the damages you sue happy morons. Oh, the mental anguish.
I bet these people suing are the same ones who complain about the high cost of everything.
Saffie - my thoughts exactly. If the hotel had no knowledge that a dead body was in their water tank, and no one got sick from it, there should be no case. Even if people got sick from it, all the hotel should owe them is paying their medical bills. As far as we know, the hotel was completely innocent in this - and in fact, they are victims, too. This incident cannot be good for business.
Can't we just slap idiots like this in the face for costing taxpayers?! I mean, we are the ones that get to foot the bill for them taking up time in the courts for this retarded c rapp! I'm so sick of people like this. Maybe someone can start a vigilante butt whoopin squad and pay people like this a little visit.
I know this is slightly off-topic & a tad inappropriate, but do you suppose it's fair to say the hotel gave their guests a big tank of chop-suey?
Just asking if you stayed there and drank the water how would you feel about it than? I'm sorry I can see their point on this. If it were me I would be a bit concerned about it. Think about it? Drinking water that a decomposing body was in. That doesn't seem real refreshing to me.
Comment removed by poster.
Thank goodness....
It was supposed to post as a reply to another comment, but it ended up as its own thing, which made it make no sense, so I had to delete the text and replace it with the whole deleted bit.
Didn't you guys see what happened to Eric Cartman after he drank Kenny's ashes? OMG! That would be horrible.
It isn't the hotel's fault. Talk about greedy people. Agree with other posters who said if they were not harmed then throw the suit out. This poor young lady lost her life and all they can think about is their wallets!
wonder if this is the same couple that sued Carnival Cruise Lines?
"it isn't the hotels fault"...What??....so i guess it's not their fault that two prior serial killers also resided there. Right? or if this young lady would have been HIV Posative, that no harm no foul....Right? that's only because YOU are not a victim, so that mean's nobody else should have a right to sue if they are. I guess it wouldn't be the hotels fault if the fire sprinklers wouldn't have worked due to a body clogging up the water system too.
EWWWWEEEEEEE!!!!! I would be sickened deep down to my core if I found out that I had drank the juices of a rotting corpse....I hold no ills towards anyone suing this hotel even if it just results in better security practices.
taking a bit of poetic license eh ? What would you recommed as a better security practice for all millions of supply tanks used in the US ? And we assume you won't complian about paying for those practices.
Your supply of water...what security practices are used....when is the last time you saw a security guard climb up the water tower to peak in ?
Geez, a one up incident, no harm done, and now we should sue, and we should spend billions to address the few who would be "sickened deep to their core"....after drinking rotting juices. rotting juices :) Don't forget fish go to the bathroom in your water supply :)
How do you know you haven't already?
-going to the bathroom in the drinking water ain't all the little fishes do!
Tilladahun
The water was found to be safe so no, you wouldn't be "sickened" just grossed out. No damage done should mean no lawsuit. The only potential issue would be breech of contract and in that case you should get not one penny more than you paid for your stay there.
when in doubt...use the water from the toilet tank
Some will sue over anything. They did not get sick and I am sure worst things have been in their mouth.
This would be an excellent after dinner drink for the lady eating cop.
What's the word?...oh yeah, "frivolous"
There's no negligence on the part of the hotel so I have no idea what the suit would stand on.
LUV That DIRTY WATER!
Next time, don't vacation in a Los Angeles hotel. Go on a cruise or something.
I'm going to sue the Ballagio in Vegas. Last time I was there they found a body in Lake Meade.
Beat me too it!
I am going to sue my neighboorhood. One time I was at the pool some kid pooped in it.
What happens if a body is tossed into a public water reservoir? Can the entire community that is provided water from that pond sue the county or state? Where does it end?
A young lady was murdered and her body dumped in a cistern. Doesn't that strike any chords of compassion in anyone? Litigious fools. I would require them to be tested for any harmful components in their bloodstream before a court even considered opening its doors to this lawsuit. I once sucked an earwig into my mouth through my straw at a Wendy's. I didn't think of suing, even though I was grossed out. I did get a free #1 combo out of the experience, though.
That comment is grosser than the original story...
+1
Perhaps they should consider suing fruit and produce growers after all we do tend to consume small amounts of insects that come from fruits and veggies no matter how much we clean them..some one has lost her life and all these people can think about is monetary gain..btw..a Wendy's combo sounds pretty good right about now..
A freak occurance should not result in a lawsuit. Yeah, it's gross. I would not be comfortable with the thought of drinking that water. I would not sue either. If you are that paranoid, drink bottled water and take a bath.
It could have maybe happened anywhere, however I think staying at a more upscale hotel chances are less likely.
ah, america.
when you can't make money yourself, then sue for someone else's cash.
So funny I can't stop laughing.
I do believe during the original reporting of the story they said the tanks were left unlocked and therefore the hotel 'allowed' access to something they shouldn't have. I believe this is why they are suing. The fact that they were negligent in stopping someone from accessing the water supply to the hotel. I'm not saying they should sue, but I would guess that is why. As far as not being 'injured', well, they may not physically be injured, but I'm sure anyone who stayed there during that time is probably emotionally damaged to some extent.
this is their grounds for lawsuit. Right in the article..."The Cotts say that when they paid $150 for a two-night stay at the 15-story hotel they were promised running water safe for drinking and washing."
Water was running, yeah low pressure but running. and tested to be safe for drinking and washing. Emotionally damaged? What is in your water? Ever been to a water treatment facility? they find all sorts of stuff, dead animals, trash, feces.. emotional damage... You mean a quick buck.
Does not matter how she got in the water tank.The Hotel is liable because of "lack of security" at the Hotel that allowed this poor Chinese girl to be Murdered and laid to rest in the unsecured water tank.Not to mention the anxiety of the effects of drinking a "Bloated" decaying human body and mental anguish the nightmarish thought brings.Sue the hell out of them..And send me a tip for posting this reply..
Its a frivolous lawsuit and it should be thrown out!
You do realize that Canada and China are two different countries...
On two different continents?
Right?
Or do you think it's ok to assume that anyone who looks like they may have descended from an Asian lineage is Chinese?
No bacteria found? Still wouldn't make me drink their water knowing a body floated in their supply. A good shark type attorney will find holes in their story.
She looks soo cute.. why would anyone murder her? It's just mind boggling really... That's why I hate the human race with a passion. And no, I don't have sex and I'm not mentally ill, and No I'm not gay or I'm not trolling. I'm just stating my opinion ... Thank you~ ^_^
No sex..what 's up with that..that is troubling...
Does not matter how she got in the water tank.The Hotel is liable because of "lack of security" at the Hotel that allowed this poor Chinese girl to be Murdered and laid to rest in the unsecured water tank.Not to mention the anxiety of the effects of drinking a "Bloated" decaying human body and mental anguish the nightmarish thought brings.Sue the hell out of them..And send me a tip for posting this reply..
Heard that some spectators are suing due to the crash at the car races this weekend; the track, the driver, the car maker, the car owners, the tire company, probably ESPN and all their announcers, too.
We've become a nation of such small-minded people, we're being over-taken by other countries that take their education seriously, we elect buffoons and morons to govern us, and we don't even seem to care.
there are no accidents anymore in america. someone always has to be to blame for everything.
tripped over your own feet? sue the shoe maker, the store where you bought them because they didn't fit you correctly, charles darwin for the evolution of the human foot and chimpanzees and gorillas for passing on those defective genes.
When paying $75.00 a night in LA....one should be happy they are not sleeping on a bed of roaches.
Here's a tip - go back into that bubble you live in.
So they are suing for $150? (Also I was thinking that is a pretty good deal for 2 nights!)
They are opportunists in the shameless form.
Maybe, the hotel will reimburse for the nights that they stayed. That would be more than fair.
But I'm sure this particular couple will need 1 million dollars for emotional stress causing time loss at work (assuming they do that) and maybe even for the family members they told the story too. Oh, and lawyer fees. Lots of lawyer fees.