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Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, a premier personal injury law firm with locations throughout Middle Tennessee, has filed a lawsuit against Nashville Downtown Hotel, LLC d/b/a Hilton Nashville Downtown, Hilton Resorts Corporation, and David Neal on behalf of their client, who was sexually assaulted in his hotel room. The firm is seeking punitive damages on behalf of their client, Peter Brennan, and has requested a jury trial.
Peter Brennan served in the Air Force, obtaining the rank of lieutenant. He is also a former intelligence officer for the Air Force, and worked for the National Security Agency (NSA) before entering the private sector.
On March 30, 2023, Mr. Brennan was in Nashville for business and booked a room at the Hilton Hotel on Fourth Avenue. He had stayed at Hilton-branded hotels in the past, and given the reputation of the brand, assumed he would be safe and secure while locked in his room at night.
At around 5:00 a.m., while Mr. Brennan was asleep, Hilton employee David Neal used a cloned key card to enter into Mr. Brennan’s room without permission. He began to simulate fellatio on Mr. Brennan’s feet while Mr. Brennan was sleeping. He did this without Mr. Brennan’s consent or knowledge. Mr. Brennan awoke to find Neal in his room engaged in this act, and “immediately started yelling at defendant Neal,” who fled the room.
Mr. Brennan reported the act to Hilton’s security, who “did not appear to take his complaint seriously.” He then called the local police who are now investigating the incident. Feeling unsafe and vulnerable, Mr. Brennan cut his business trip short and returned home to Texas.
Since the incident occurred, no action has been taken by Hilton, the specific hotel at which Mr. Brennan stayed, or by Neal. Hilton has not apologized to Mr. Brennan for the incident and has refused to respond to Rocky McElhaney Law Firm. It has also refused to turn over surveillance footage and data – including video of Neal on Mr. Brennan’s floor and key card data that shows the card was cloned – to local law enforcement.
Mr. Brennan’s lawsuit names Hilton et al. as 100% liable and at-fault for his injuries and distress. Defendant Neal was employed by Hilton, and he committed an act of assault. As such, Hilton was negligent in its hiring and supervision. Not only did it put Neal in a role where he could harm patrons, but it continued to do so even though there were “prior instances of misconduct [by Neal] which were known to Hilton directly through its managing employees or agents.”
David Neal, the second defendant in the case, is a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 4 ½ years of prison for voluntary manslaughter. He killed his partner in their apartment. He also had prior arrests for DUI and check forgery. This is the man Hilton hired to be in a position where he had access to any guest room in the hotel.
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is seeking damages on behalf of Mr. Brennan, who has suffered and continues to suffer from severe and permanent emotional distress, embarrassment, past and future medical expenses, and a loss of earning capacity. The firm also seeks punitive damages from Hilton “to punish and deter Hilton from tolerating an invasive and perverse atmosphere and the conduct of its employees.”
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is a Tennessee personal injury law firm with locations throughout Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville. Established in 2002, and led by founder and CLO Rocky McElhaney, the award-winning practice has a fierce reputation for facing off against big insurance company opponents and battling for the highest maximum compensation possible for their clients’ physical, financial, and personal losses.
The attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm are diligent, compassionate, and dedicated lawyers who fight hard to help serious injury victims get the justice they deserve.
Since its creation, Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has received a steady stream of industry recognition for its track record of successful cases, landmark verdicts, commitment to ethical standards, and its focus on client relationships. RML’s lawyers have also been named National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and maintain A+ rating with the Tennessee Better Business Bureau.
To learn more, visit RockyLawFirm.com or follow the firm on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
