Marriott Worker Advances Negligence Claims Over Boss’s Assault

Marriott Hotel Services LLC mostly failed to trim a front desk clerk’s claims that it negligently hired, supervised, and trained a supervisor who allegedly raped her.

The company was wrong that it can’t be liable under Rhode Island law because the alleged assault involved out-of-work conduct as it occurred following an off-site after-work celebration of the boss’s birthday, the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island said.

The state supreme court recognizes negligent hiring and supervision claims “when third parties are injured by an employer’s incompetent or unfit employees,” Judge William E. Smith said May 17. The company ...