Las Vegas is known worldwide for its hotels, casinos, entertainment, and nightlife. With over 154,000 hotel rooms and 40 million visitors each year, Las Vegas hotels and casinos see a huge amount of foot traffic daily. Unfortunately, this also means that slip and fall accidents are common in these establishments. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury in a Las Vegas hotel or casino, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options.
Top Las Vegas Casinos
Las Vegas is home to some of the largest and most iconic casinos in the world. Some of the top casinos known for their size, attractions, and popularity among tourists include:
- The Venetian – This luxury Italian-themed casino is known for its indoor canals and gondola rides. The casino floor covers over 120,000 square feet.
- Caesars Palace – Iconic Roman theme with lavish pools, top-name entertainment, and high-end shopping. The casino space covers over 148,000 square feet.
- The Mirage – Landmark Polynesian-themed resort featuring a rainforest, aquarium, volcano show, and huge casino floor.
- Bellagio – Famous for its dancing fountains, Conservatory botanical gardens, and expansive casino floor with over 116,000 square feet of gaming space.
- MGM Grand – One of the largest hotels in the world with over 6,000 rooms and suites. The 170,000 square foot casino floor has thousands of slots and table games.
- Wynn/Encore – Luxurious sister resorts with high-end restaurants, pools, spas, shopping, and carefully manicured casino floors.
- The Cosmopolitan – Trendy multi-level casino and resort with three vibrant pool areas, high-end shops, and 100,000 square feet of casino space.
All of these casinos offer fantastic amenities, but they can get extremely busy. It’s important for visitors to be vigilant at all times if they want to avoid accidents while on the casino premises. And it isn’t only visitors who are at risk!
Employees and performers are also vulnerable while on casino premises. Just this year, a performer in the Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles Love show suffered an accident while on stage on the Strip.
Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries
Under Nevada law, business owners and operators have a duty to keep their premises safe for guests and patrons. If they fail to do so and you suffer an injury as a result, they can be held liable through a premises liability claim. For a slip and fall injury, you’ll need to show that:
- The hotel or casino was responsible for the area where you fell
- There was a dangerous condition that caused your fall (such as a liquid spilled on the floor)
- The business knew or should have known about the dangerous condition
- They failed to take reasonable steps to address the condition
- You suffered injuries as a direct result of the fall
Common Causes of Slips and Falls
There are a few common causes of slip and fall accidents in Las Vegas hotels and casinos:
Wet or Greasy Floors
With thousands of people walking through these establishments every day, it’s not surprising that spills are common. Pools, fountains, bars, restaurants, and buffets can all lead to liquid ending up on the floor. Grease and food debris can also create slippery conditions. Puddles, spills, and grease that are not cleaned up promptly pose a major tripping hazard.
Uneven Surfaces and Flooring
Transition areas between different types of flooring, such as carpet to tile, can create uneven surfaces and tripping hazards. Cracked or damaged tiles or concrete can also lead to unnoticed drops in elevation. Poor lighting can make these hazards difficult to see.
Cluttered Walkways
In the rush to keep things clean and stocked, hallways and aisles are often cluttered with carts, cleaning equipment, or stocking items. These obstructions force pedestrians off the main walkways and can cause them to trip.
Poor Lighting
Many areas of hotels and casinos have low lighting for ambience, including restaurants, theaters, bars, and gaming floors. Low light makes it very difficult to see potential slip and trip dangers like small spills and uneven surfaces.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in a Las Vegas hotel or casino, be sure to take these steps:
- Report the accident & injury – Notify a staff member and ask them to complete an incident report. Get a copy of this report.
- Get medical care – Seek medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries, as they may worsen over time if left untreated.
- Document the scene – Take photos of the area where you fell, including whatever caused you to slip.
- Keep records – Maintain records of all accident-related expenses like medical bills, missed wages, therapy costs, etc.
- Contact an attorney – Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys regarding your right to pursue a claim for damages against the liable parties.
- Do not settle immediately – Las Vegas hotels and casinos may try to settle claims quickly with a lowball offer. Wait until you fully understand the value of your injury claim before settling.
Recovering Damages
If you are injured in a Las Vegas hotel or casino slip and fall accident that was caused by negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability or disfigurement
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident
An experienced premises liability attorney from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys can fully evaluate your claim and fight aggressively to help you recover the maximum damages possible in your case. Do not hesitate to consult an attorney regarding your rights and legal options.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but some of the busiest casinos with the most foot traffic pose the highest risk. Be aware of your surroundings when visiting these massive Las Vegas gaming and entertainment venues.
If you’ve slipped and fallen in a Las Vegas casino, talk to us today. You can contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys on 1-800-484-3946 (1-800-4THE-WIN).
