⚡ Quick Answer
Can I sue over hotel sex trafficking? Generally, yes — if you were trafficked for sex as a minor at a Motel 6, Studio 6, or Studio 6 Plus location, anywhere in the U.S. except California, prior to 2019, and you know the name of the person who trafficked you, you may have a claim against the hotel chain under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), separate from any case against your trafficker. Courts have found hotels can be held liable if staff knew or should have known trafficking was occurring, even without knowledge of a specific victim.
⚖️ Legally reviewed by William Ettenger, Esq.
Who Qualifies for This Claim
This campaign is currently limited to survivors trafficked for sex as minors specifically at Motel 6, Studio 6, or Studio 6 Plus properties — the G6 Hospitality brand family with nearly 1,500 locations nationwide. Claims can be brought regardless of whether the trafficker has been criminally charged or convicted.
Qualifying Criteria:
Proving Hotel Knowledge Under the TVPRA
Under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, hotels can be held civilly liable if they knew or should have known that trafficking was occurring on their property and continued to benefit financially from renting rooms. Courts, including the 11th Circuit, have held that actual knowledge of a specific victim is not required — only awareness of apparent trafficking activity. Common evidence used to establish this includes:
Harms, Qualifying Criteria & Compensation Ranges
Every case is fact-specific, but the table below outlines common categories of harm considered in hotel trafficking claims. These ranges are educational only and not guarantees.
| Harm Category | What Typically Qualifies | Illustrative Range |
|---|---|---|
| Physical & sexual abuse | Documented injuries, medical or forensic exam records, treatment history | $100,000 – $1M+ |
| Psychological trauma / PTSD | Diagnosis from a licensed mental health provider, ongoing treatment records | Strengthens claim value alongside other harms |
| Extended-duration trafficking | Evidence trafficking occurred over weeks, months, or years at one or more properties | $1M – $10M+ |
| Minor victims | Trafficking occurred while the survivor was under 18 | Often higher due to statutory and punitive factors |
| Repeat-property claims | Trafficking documented at a location with a pattern of prior trafficking incidents or complaints | Can materially increase case value |
Factors That Affect Case Value:
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Strength of hotel-knowledge evidence — how clearly indicators were visible and ignored
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Duration and severity of the trafficking
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Location's trafficking history — prior complaints or incidents at the same property
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Venue & jury trends — recent hotel trafficking verdicts have varied significantly by jurisdiction
$44 million — Harris County, Texas jury verdict, November 2021 — plaintiff sexually assaulted at a Hilton-brand hotel
$40 million — Federal jury verdict, Georgia, July 2025 — $10M compensatory + $30M punitive; victim trafficked as a minor at a motel for 38 days; first successful hotel trafficking verdict in Georgia history; hotel owner has since sought reduction of the punitive award
$24.5 million — Days Inn (Wyndham brand) settlement, Philadelphia, February 2023 — paid to 8 minor trafficking victims
$24.5 million — Arbitration award to 2 women trafficked as teenagers
$21 million — Texas jury verdict against motel owners/operators for gross negligence enabling multi-year trafficking
Confidential ("historic") — Red Roof Inn settlement with 11 women trafficked at two Atlanta-area locations, described by plaintiffs' counsel as historic
Confidential — $49.5 million reported settlement with a hotel chain over multi-property trafficking allegations
Motel 6 specifically named: Motel 6 (G6 Hospitality LLC) has been named as a defendant alongside Wyndham and Red Roof Inn brands in federal TVPRA suits alleging trafficking of a minor across multiple states and properties.
Disclaimer: No global settlement exists for this campaign. Prior verdicts and settlements listed above involve other hotel trafficking cases and are provided as educational reference only — not a guarantee of outcome for any individual claim. Actual results depend on case-specific facts, venue, and litigation developments.
Eligibility Details
Motel 6, Studio 6 & Studio 6 Plus Locations Only
This intake is limited to trafficking that occurred at a Motel 6, Studio 6, or Studio 6 Plus property, brands operated under G6 Hospitality with nearly 1,500 locations across the U.S. Trafficking at other hotel or motel chains does not qualify under this specific campaign.
Minor Victims Only
The claimant must have been a minor (under 18) at the time the trafficking occurred. Claims involving trafficking that occurred entirely in adulthood do not qualify under this campaign.
Nationwide, Excluding California
Trafficking must have occurred somewhere in the United States other than California. California incidents are excluded from this specific intake.
Age & Timing Requirements
Claimants must have been born after 1995 (up to age 31 currently), and the trafficking incident must have occurred prior to 2019.
Known Trafficker Identity
Claimants must be able to provide the name of the trafficker or pimp. Cases where the trafficker's identity is unknown do not currently qualify under this intake.
Filing Deadlines
The federal TVPRA generally allows 10 years from the date the victim knew or should have known of the trafficking to file a civil claim, and this period can be extended further for claims involving minors. State law claims, such as negligence or premises liability, may carry separate and sometimes shorter deadlines. Always confirm your specific deadline with an attorney.
Hotel Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Updates™ — 2026
Last updated August 2026. Civil trafficking litigation against the hospitality industry has accelerated sharply, with courts increasingly allowing cases to reach trial rather than being dismissed at summary judgment.
Show earlier updates (2021–2025)
Were You Trafficked at a Motel 6, Studio 6, or Studio 6 Plus?
You are not required to know every detail to start a free, confidential case review.
Start My Free Case ReviewHow the Lawsuit Process Works
Attorneys handle hotel trafficking cases on contingency — you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
- Confidential case review — speak with an attorney at no cost, in as much or as little detail as you're comfortable with.
- Investigation — the property, ownership structure, and time period are identified and evidence is gathered.
- Filing — a civil claim is filed under the TVPRA and any applicable state law claims.
- Discovery — exchange of evidence, records, and testimony.
- Resolution — settlement negotiation or trial. Prior hotel trafficking cases have resolved through both confidential settlement and jury verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for this hotel sex trafficking claim?
What has to be proven to win a hotel trafficking lawsuit?
How much compensation can a hotel trafficking lawsuit provide?
Prior hotel trafficking verdicts and settlements have ranged widely: a $44 million Texas jury verdict (2021), a $40 million Georgia jury verdict (2025), a $24.5 million Days Inn settlement with 8 minor victims (2023), a $21 million Texas verdict, and a confidential Red Roof Inn settlement with 11 survivors described as "historic" (2024).
These figures involve other hotel trafficking cases and are educational only — not a guarantee of outcome. Actual results depend on case-specific facts, evidence strength, and venue.
