Hyatt ordered to pay $15.5 million after jury finds safety failures led to guest's death

A San Diego County jury has awarded $15.5 million to the family of a hotel guest, holding Hyatt Hotels Corporation liable for wrongful death. The verdict followed a trial that found hotel employees failed to follow safety protocols, leading to a delayed discovery of the guest's medical emergency.

The case involved the 2022 death of Cindy Gonzalez, a 43-year-old diabetic traveler staying alone at a San Diego Hyatt. Attorneys for the family demonstrated that hotel staff did not adhere to established procedures, which stipulated a wellness check when a guest missed checkout. Instead, her reservation was extended without proper guest contact.

Evidence presented showed Gonzalez fell into a diabetic coma and was found unconscious the following day after her family reported her missing. Attorneys argued that had employees conducted a timely welfare check, Gonzalez would have received life-saving medical attention. Hyatt's defense, citing factors like a "Do Not Disturb" sign and previous room service, was rejected by the jury.

The jury’s decision underscores the responsibility hotels have to ensure guest safety and respond appropriately to potential emergencies. Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, the law firm representing the family, is known for pursuing accountability in complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

This verdict serves as a measure of justice for Gonzalez's family and highlights the critical importance of hotels adhering to their own safety and emergency response procedures to prevent future tragedies.