Las Vegas is one of the top entertainment destinations in the world, with year-round events like conventions, pool parties, celebrity-hosted parties, concerts, and countless others. Millions of tourists flock to Vegas for these recreational events yearly, and the vast majority have a great time. But sadly, some visitors end up suffering preventable injuries during events held at Las Vegas hotels and casinos.

It’s important to investigate and determine what went wrong when an injury happens. Some hotel and casino event injuries only occur due to negligence by the property or a third party. Liability in these situations can be complicated. Hotels and casinos have legal obligations to keep guests safe, but they’re not always the ones running an event.  In some cases, liability may also be shared between multiple parties, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

If you’ve recently been injured during an event at a Las Vegas hotel and casino, you may be wondering about your legal options. If negligence was involved, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim, but determining who to file that claim against can be a challenge. The team of Las Vegas casino and hotel injury lawyers at the Cottle Firm is here to help. Give us a call today at 702-834-8000 to discuss your case and legal options in a free consultation.

Common Recreational Events in Vegas Hotels and Casinos

Las Vegas thrives on entertainment, and its hotels and casinos constantly host a variety of recreational events designed to attract both tourists and locals. These events are meant to entertain, but they can also be a source of serious injuries. Some events are riskier than others, especially those with large crowds, the presence of alcohol, and complex setups.

Pool Parties

Pool parties are a Vegas staple. These events often involve alcohol, large crowds, loud music, and slippery surfaces, which can create the perfect storm for accidents. Slip-and-fall accidents are common, especially on wet pool decks. Heavy drinking can lead to fights, diving accidents, or drownings. The risk of hotel pool injuries goes up if staff fail to monitor intoxicated guests, enforce occupancy limits, or provide enough lifeguards.

Concerts and Music Festivals

Concerts are a major draw in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, they can also present numerous hazards. Crowds can become unruly, especially when there is inadequate security or poor crowd control. Injuries may occur due to trampling, stage or equipment collapses, or falling objects. If staging is not properly secured or the event space is overcrowded beyond capacity, serious accidents can occur.

The Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting is a tragic example of a casino failing to protect event attendees. MGM Resorts International agreed to an $800 million settlement with victims and their families, who alleged that the company did not do enough to prevent the attack. However, MGM did not admit to liability as part of the settlement agreement.

Sporting Events and Watch Parties

Vegas hotels frequently host sporting events and large watch parties for popular games and fights. These events typically involve heavy drinking and strong emotions, which can lead to confrontations and physical altercations. Without trained security staff or established safety protocols, attendees can be injured during fights or crowd surges. 

Conventions and Trade Shows

Conventions and trade shows also come with risks. Attendees can get injured by unaddressed hazards like exposed cords, falling signage, or overcrowding. Hotels and event organizers have a legal duty to keep exhibit spaces safe and ensure that vendors follow proper safety guidelines when setting up their booths.

Private Parties and Themed Events

Private parties and themed events may have elaborate setups, loud music, creative lighting, and sometimes even pyrotechnics or live performers. While they’re meant to be fun and memorable, they can also come with hidden risks. Whether the event is hosted by the hotel itself or by a third-party planner, someone is responsible for making sure the space is safe.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries at Hotel or Casino Events?

When someone gets injured during a recreational event at a Las Vegas hotel or casino, it’s not always immediately apparent who is legally responsible. Liability can depend on who organized the event, who managed safety protocols, and what caused the injury. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility. Here are some of the main parties that could be held liable depending on the circumstances.

Hotels and Casinos

Under Nevada premises liability law, hotels and casinos owe a legal duty of care to their guests and visitors. That means they must take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe. If a hotel or casino fails to meet this legal duty and someone gets injured as a result, the property may be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment.

For example, if someone gets injured after slipping on a wet floor that the property should have been aware of, the injured party may have grounds for a personal injury claim against the property.

Event Promoters and Organizers

Many events in Las Vegas are produced or hosted by third-party promoters who lease space from hotels and casinos. These promoters are often responsible for managing the event’s logistics, including equipment setup, crowd management, and overall safety. If they cut corners or ignore safety regulations, such as overselling the event or failing to hire trained security, they could be held liable for resulting injuries.

Production and Crew Companies

Production crews handle the staging, lighting, sound systems, and other technical aspects of events. These crews must be extremely careful to make sure that all of these technical aspects are implemented safely, as mistakes could result in devastating accidents. For example, a poorly installed stage could collapse and injure attendees. If negligence by the production crew results in injuries, they could be held liable for damages.

Security Providers

Hotels and event organizers often contract with private security firms to monitor crowds and manage access points. These firms have a duty to control dangerous behavior, break up fights, enforce capacity limits, and maintain order. If someone is assaulted at an event due to negligent security, the firm could be held liable. In some cases, the hotel or event host may share liability for hiring an unqualified or understaffed security team.

Vendors and Performers

Many events also rely on outside vendors and entertainers, such as food and beverage vendors, DJs, and performers. All of these parties have a legal duty to act reasonably and avoid creating hazards. If they fail to meet this duty and an accident happens, they could share liability for resulting injuries. 

Key Factors in Determining Liability

When determining liability for an event accident, investigators and attorneys look at several key factors. These elements help establish who had a duty of care, whether they failed in that duty, and whether that failure directly caused injuries.

Negligence

Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims. To prove negligence, a victim must show that the responsible party failed to take reasonable precautions that could have prevented the injury. For example, a casino that ignores a liquid spill or fails to limit the number of people at a rooftop party may be considered negligent. If that negligence leads directly to an accident, the negligent party may be held liable for damages.

Control Over the Event or Venue

Liability often depends on who had actual control over the area where an injury occurred. If a hotel merely leased the space to a third-party promoter but did not oversee the event’s operations, the promoter might bear more responsibility. On the other hand, if the hotel retains control over security, maintenance, or guest services, it may still be liable. 

Courts and insurance adjusters will look closely at who managed the event, who was responsible for setup, and who made decisions about safety and staffing to determine liability.

Contractual Agreements

Event contracts can affect how liability is assigned. Hotels, promoters, and vendors often have written agreements that outline who is responsible for tasks such as security, insurance, crowd management, and event setup. These contracts can determine whether the hotel or a third party assumes liability. 

For example, if a performer’s contract required them to manage their own stage setup, and that setup collapsed, the performer or their production team may bear the brunt of the legal blame.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance policies can also influence how liability is assigned. Hotels, event organizers, and contractors often carry separate insurance policies, which may have exclusions or specific limitations. It’s important to identify whose policy applies and whether it covers the type of injury sustained, as this can affect who pays for damages and who is named in a lawsuit. In some cases, multiple insurers may be involved.

Actions of the Injured Party

The behavior of the injured person will also be taken into account. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means a victim can only recover damages if they are less than 50% responsible for the incident. Their compensation may be reduced in proportion to their share of the blame. For example, if a guest was highly intoxicated, ignored posted warnings, or acted recklessly, they could be found partially at fault.

Contact Our Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Injury Lawyers

Have you or a loved one recently been injured during an event at a Las Vegas hotel or casino? Understanding your rights is the first step toward recovering compensation and holding negligent parties responsible. Contact our team of dedicated Las Vegas hotel and casino injury lawyers today at 702-834-8000 to learn more about your rights and explore your legal options in a free consultation.