@lowlight @sghokie to some degree I get it, if the don't fight it in court they set a possible precedent. But Marriott really should have done the right thing from the start. Since the property is a Marriott Marquis I am pretty sure that is 100% owned by Corporate - unlike SDR which is owned by Tishman. Reading more about this sounds like the guy in question, Bob Sabouni, sued in small claims court which limits amount to $10,000 and no attorney. There is reference to another near identical case, taylor versus forte hotels international - which went the other way based on negligence of the employee. But in that case from what I've skimmed over attorneys were involved and the same "inn keepers law" was used but overruled.
Bottom line is this looks bad for Marriott, as it should.