Moritz, a guest at Pines Hotel, was sitting in the lobby when Brown, a hotel employee, dropped

Question:

Moritz, a guest at Pines Hotel, was sitting in the lobby when Brown, a hotel employee, dropped a heavy vacuum cleaner on her knee. When Moritz complained, the employee insulted her and hit her with his fist, knocking her unconscious. She sued the hotel for damages. Was the hotel liable? [Moritz v Pines Hotel, Inc., 383 NYS2d 704 (App Div)]