1. Aniballi
v.
Sonesta Beach Hotel
Eily Ridge, Michaela Rivers, Jeanie Wallace,
Annalisa Ellis

2. Facts
 Sam Aniballi and his wife Margaret
Aniballi were staying at Sonesta Beach
Hotel (Dade County)
 Guest checked in the hotel Feb. 22, 1980

3. More Facts
 Upon entering their room they saw a safety deposit box
 He went back down to the front desk and requested a
key
 He was asked to sign a “Safe Deposit Box-Statement of
Value” card
-- On the card it states that the hotel is only responsible for
loss of items caused by the fault or NEGLIGENCE of the
establishment.
-- It also mentions the establishment is limited to $1,000
 Mr. Aniballi signed this agreement saying he would not
put anything of more than $1,000 of value in the safe

4. There are a lot of Facts.
 Long, the front desk clerk working that day did in
fact steal the Aniballi’s money and some money
out of the cash register and never returned to
work
 The Aniballis filled the complaint of the loss of
$85,000 worth of jewelry
 Dade Country court granted guest motion for
summary judgment
 Found Hotels liability was limited to $1,000
-- Because Mr. Aniballi signed the notice at check-in

5. Issue
Is Sonesta Beach Hotel negligent and
responsible for the loss of Aniballi’s valuables;
therefore, owing them compensatory and
punitive damages?

6. Ruling
Hotel owner violated Statute Limiting
Liability and therefore cannot limit
liability of stolen property to $1,000
Court denied punitive damages

7. Rationale
Violated Florida’s Limiting Liability Satute by:
-- Only posting notice of Limiting Liability on the
interior door of the bathroom
-- Giving guests no documentation of their use of
the safety deposit box
Punitive Damages were not rewarded because
the hotel did not act outrageously, or with
fraud, malice, wantonness, or oppression.

8. Let’s Switch it up..If
 Had the Sonesta Beach Hotel had Notice of
Limited Liability posted elsewhere than just
the inside of the bathroom door in such place
as the hallway , office, or hotel lobby in which
to be clearly seen by any guest?
Or If The Hotel had given the Aniballi’s a
receipt for property stating property’s
value?(F.S.A. 509.111)

9. Then..
The Sonesta Beach Hotel wouldn’t have been
liable for anything over the $1,000 as covered
by the Florida Statutes (509.101 & 509.111).