Injuries Occurring in Las Vegas Casinos

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By
Madeleine Jones
January 11, 2017

Las Vegas city night view, casino personal injuriesUnexpected injuries can occur in casinos, including slips and falls, food poisoning, and assaults. An experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer is familiar with laws that govern injuries in businesses such as casinos.

Las Vegas Casinos are a Popular Destination

Las Vegas suffered during the last recession but is now once again a popular destination for business, pleasure, or both. Over 40 million visitors flocked to Vegas in 2016, spending billions of dollars on gambling, food, hotel rooms, and events.

There are over 22,000 conventions in any typical year in Las Vegas, bringing millions of attendees. Many of these visitors mix business and pleasure and visit famous casinos, events, and shows.

This volume of traffic increases the likelihood that accidents will occur. Casino owners must protect patrons and ensure that casinos and hotels are adequately managed and safe. Injured visitors who are uncertain about casino liability can meet with a personal injury lawyer to discuss details.

What Kind of Accidents Can Occur?

A wide of range of accidents can happen in a casino, including:

  • Slips and falls
  • Food poisoning
  • Falls on or around shuttle buses
  • Broken chairs
  • Assaults

Slip-and-fall accidents can occur anywhere. These kind of accidents are typically the most common for casinos. Falls can happen in gambling areas, stairs, hotel rooms, by shuttle buses or around swimming pools. Wet areas should be clearly marked to warn people to be cautious. In addition, spilled drinks, dropped food, and other debris on the floor can cause slip-and-fall accidents. Individuals who have fallen and been injured can consult a personal injury lawyer to protect their rights.

Many casinos serve food. Food poisoning can be a result of food left out to the point of spoiling, unsanitary storage conditions, and workers preparing food with unclean hands. Anyone who becomes ill after eating in a casino should document what they ate and when. Medical personnel should treat serious illnesses.

Shuttle buses are a frequent sight around Las Vegas. Thousands of travelers ride shuttle buses each day. Accidents can occur when luggage falls into aisles or if the floor of the bus is wet. Bus steps should be clearly marked, and so should the curb at the casino.

There are scores of chairs in a casino, from the poker rooms to the slot machines. These chairs need regular maintenance to ensure that they are safe for casino goers. Improperly maintained seats are a hazard and can result in serious injury when they break.

Plenty of cash moves in and out (and back in) to casinos every day. Players who have won big can be easy targets for pickpockets and thieves. Casinos should have security to protect players both indoors and in the parking lots. Emotions may run high when large amounts of money are at stake, and casino security must ensure the safety of all patrons.

Casinos and Nevada Law

Casinos must protect players and patrons from foreseeable events that might cause injuries. Managers should constantly be on the lookout for conditions that could cause harm. Security cameras and security personnel should be monitoring all areas where guests might visit.

Nevada premises liability law requires that property owners maintain their properties. Injuries are more likely to occur when properties are not adequately maintained.

According to Nevada law, hotel owners are responsible for death or injury that occurs on their properties if the proprietor did not take reasonable precautions to prevent the accident. A personal injury lawyer can answer questions specific to hotel injuries.

What to Do When an Injury Occurs

People who suffer any injury should seek prompt medical attention. Even seemingly minor accidents can lead to health problems down the road. It is important to have a doctor diagnose the injury and prescribe a treatment plan.

If possible, victims or their families or friends should document as much evidence as possible. Witnesses can be relevant when determining liability, and photos are also helpful. If casino employees admit fault, victims should document or record the conversation if possible.

After seeking proper medical attention, injured guests should contact a qualified personal injury lawyer. He or she can examine the details of a case and determine if the victim has a valid claim. Victims should act quickly as the Nevada statute of limitations is two years.

Victims Should Use Caution with Casino Employees

Injured persons should be careful when speaking with casino representatives. A careless statement could be used against a victim later on. The insurance carrier may attempt to settle a claim rapidly, potentially costing a victim money. Victims should seriously consider having the assistance of a Las Vegas accident lawyer when dealing with casino representatives.