An airline pilot has lodged a lawsuit against a Denver hotel after reportedly experiencing a shocking encounter with bats during his stay. The incident, which took place in August 2025 at the Sheraton Denver Hotel Downtown, has left the pilot seeking damages exceeding £100,000 due to the traumatic experience and subsequent medical treatment.
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According to the attorney representing the unidentified pilot, Ed Lomena, the man awoke to the unsettling sight of bats fluttering around his room. Lomena recounted that his client was peacefully asleep until the commotion of flapping wings and squeaks roused him. “He woke up and said there were bats flying around,” Lomena stated in an interview with CBS Colorado.
Upon realising he had company of the nocturnal variety, the pilot contacted hotel maintenance for assistance in removing the bats. However, despite their efforts, at least one bat remained in the room. The guest claims that the hotel staff failed to adequately address a hole situated beneath the air conditioning unit, identified as the potential entry point for the bats. Furthermore, he alleges that hotel management did not offer him an alternative room during the distressing episode.
The situation escalated when, the following morning, the pilot discovered one of the bats hanging upside down from the curtain rod. The sight prompted him to document the encounter by recording a brief video and capturing photographs, including what he asserted was a bite on his foot. Lomena emphasised the severity of the situation: “He was bitten by a bat. He was scared he was going to die and leave his family without a father.”
In light of the bite, the pilot sought immediate medical evaluation and was required to undergo post-exposure rabies treatment, which incurred substantial medical expenses estimated at over $102,000. Records from CBS Colorado reveal that Denver Animal Control was subsequently summoned to capture the bat and facilitate rabies testing. Fortunately, the bat tested negative for the virus, but the psychological impact on the pilot has lingered.
The ordeal has altered how he approaches his work-related travels. According to Lomena, the pilot, who frequently resides in hotels due to his profession, now finds it challenging to relax during these stays. “He’s continuously scanning the room for openings and potential wildlife entry points,” Lomena explained, adding that this heightened vigilance disrupts his sleep.
In his lawsuit, the pilot is seeking a jury trial, requesting damages to cover medical costs, physical injuries, emotional distress, and legal fees. The amount remains unspecified, with the final figure to be determined by the court.
People’s attempts to obtain a comment from Marriott International, the parent company of the Sheraton Denver Hotel Downtown, have not yielded a response. The case highlights significant concerns surrounding guest safety and hotel management’s responsibility in ensuring a secure environment for patrons.
As the lawsuit progresses, the implications of this incident may ripple through the hospitality industry, prompting greater scrutiny of potential health hazards and the necessity for hotels to be diligent in maintaining their properties and responding to guest concerns. The pilot’s experience underscores the potential for unexpected and disturbing encounters that can have lasting effects on those who trust hotels to provide a comfortable and safe stay.