Casinos bear various legal responsibilities regarding the safety and well-being of their patrons. Under Nevada’s premises liability law, these establishments must regularly inspect and maintain their premises to ensure that they are safe and free of hazards that could result in injuries. If a patron is injured because of a failure to meet this legal duty, the casino can be held liable for damages in a personal injury claim.

However, not all casino patron injuries result in liability for the casino. Certain standards must be met to have a valid personal injury claim. If you were injured at a Las Vegas casino and are wondering if you have grounds for a lawsuit, you can learn more by discussing your case with the experienced Las Vegas casino injury lawyers at the Cottle Firm. Call us today at 702-722-6111 for a free consultation.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents account for a significant portion of personal injury claims against Las Vegas casinos. Casinos have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises and prevent slip and fall accidents by promptly addressing any hazards that arise. Numerous hazards can lead to slip and fall accidents in casinos, such as wet or uneven flooring, inadequate lighting, or cluttered walkways.

Casinos are expected to uphold a duty of care towards their patrons by ensuring that the premises are reasonably safe for visitors. This legal duty includes regular inspections, maintenance of flooring and lighting, and prompt cleanup of spills or debris. If a casino fails to meet this legal duty and a guest is injured in a slip and fall accident as a result, the casino could be held liable for damages.

Determining casino liability for slip and fall accidents involves assessing various factors, including the cause of the accident and the casino’s level of negligence. If the casino failed to maintain safe premises or address known hazards, it could be held liable for resulting injuries. However, if the injured party contributed to the accident through their own negligence, such as ignoring warning signs or engaging in reckless behavior, they may be deemed partially negligent. Under Nevada’s comparative negligence law, injured parties can still file a personal injury claim as long as their percentage of negligence is determined to be less than 50 percent.

Assaults and Security-Related Incidents

Casinos should prioritize the safety and security of their patrons by implementing comprehensive security measures. These may include surveillance systems with cameras positioned throughout the property, covering gaming areas, entrances, exits, and other key locations. In addition to surveillance, casinos employ trained security personnel who patrol the gaming floor and other areas to deter criminal activity and respond to any security concerns.

Types of Security-Related Incidents

While most casinos have sufficient security measures to protect guests, security-related incidents can still occur due to negligent or inadequate security. These incidents include physical altercations between guests, theft, fraud, and disturbances.

Physical altercations often arise from excessive intoxication, disputes over winnings, and other factors. Patrons can also become victims of theft when another patron steals their personal belongings, chips, or funds. Disturbances like disorderly conduct or trespassing may require intervention by security personnel to restore order and ensure the safety of everyone on the premises.

Casino’s Duty to Protect Patrons

Casinos are legally responsible for protecting patrons from foreseeable security risks. This duty includes implementing adequate security measures, maintaining vigilant surveillance, and promptly addressing security incidents as they arise. Casinos must also take proactive steps to prevent harm by identifying potential security threats and implementing risk mitigation measures.

According to NRS 651.015, if a casino hotel fails to fulfill this duty and a patron gets injured during an assault, fight, or other security-related incident, the casino could be held liable for injury-related damages. For example, if one patron is assaulted and robbed by another due to a lack of security personnel or surveillance, the casino could be held liable for negligent security.

Negligent Maintenance of Equipment and Facilities

Inadequately maintained equipment and facilities in casinos can pose significant dangers to patrons. Malfunctioning slot machines, broken chairs, defective escalators, and inadequate lighting are just a few examples of hazards that can lead to accidents and injuries. Such equipment failures can result in slip-and-fall accidents, trips over obstacles, or even more serious accidents like electrocution or being struck by falling objects.

Casinos have a legal obligation to properly maintain all equipment and facilities to prevent foreseeable accidents. Regular inspections, maintenance protocols, and prompt repairs are all essential for identifying and addressing potential hazards quickly before they can cause harm to guests. Failure to fulfill these obligations may expose casinos to liability if injuries occur due to negligence maintenance practices.

Legal Considerations in Las Vegas Personal Injury Claims

Understanding the legal principles surrounding casino accidents and injuries is necessary for assessing liability and seeking financial compensation.

Premises Liability

Casinos are subject to premises liability laws, which hold property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their premises due to hazardous conditions if the condition was foreseeable. Casinos have a duty to maintain a safe environment for guests and protect them from foreseeable harm. This includes addressing any dangerous conditions quickly and ensuring that facilities and equipment are in good working order to prevent accidents and injuries. The majority of lawsuits filed against casinos are filed based on premises liability. 

Comparative Negligence

In casino injury cases, the concept of comparative negligence is often relevant. Comparative negligence assigns a degree of fault to both the plaintiff and defendant in an injury claim. If a patron’s own actions contributed to their injury, their compensation may be reduced proportionately based on their degree of fault. However, this does not absolve the casino from liability if their negligence also played a role in the accident and resulting injuries.

Legal Recourse for Injured Patrons

To successfully pursue a premises liability claim against a Vegas casino, the injured party must establish negligence. This typically involves proving that the casino owed a duty of care to the patron, breached that duty through negligent actions or inactions (such as failure to maintain equipment), and that this breach directly resulted in the patron’s injuries. Evidence like witness statements, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and expert testimony are often used to establish casino negligence.

Because the process of proving negligence is so complex, victims of casino injuries should strongly consider consulting with an experienced Las Vegas casino injury lawyer. A lawyer with experience in similar cases can help you gather the evidence you need, negotiate with the casino and their insurance carrier, and help you seek fair financial compensation for the injuries you have suffered.

Injured patrons may be entitled to compensation for damages related to their injuries. These may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses stemming from the accident. In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the casino for particularly egregious cases of negligence. 

What Should You Do After Being Injured at a Las Vegas Casino?

If you’ve been injured at a Las Vegas casino, you should consider taking the following steps to protect your well-being and legal rights:

  • Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Seek medical help immediately, even for seemingly minor injuries. Some symptoms may not manifest right away.
  • Report the Incident: Inform the casino staff or management about your injury and ensure that they document the incident. Request a copy of the incident report for your records.
  • Gather Evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any relevant details. Collect contact information from witnesses of the accident.
  • Preserve Evidence: Keep any clothing or other items involved in the accident and avoid repairing or altering them.
  • Consult with an Attorney: Contact a personal injury lawyer experienced in handling Las Vegas casino injury cases to understand your legal options and receive guidance on how to proceed.

Discuss Your Legal Options With Our Las Vegas Casino Injury Lawyers

Have you or a loved one been injured at a Las Vegas casino? If your injury occurred due to casino negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Get in touch with the Las Vegas casino injury lawyers of the Cottle Firm at 702-722-6111 to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.