Las Vegas can be a lot of fun — until it isn’t. When you visit a casino with your friends, the last thing that’s probably on your mind is falling victim to a slip and fall accident and severely injuring yourself. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are very real, and when they happen, you need compensation fast. When a slip and fall occurs make sure you report the incident and fill out an incident report with the proper management and keep a copy for your records.
Whether by way of a spill or structural hazard, slip and falls in Las Vegas casinos occur more frequently than you might think. If it happens to you, you’ll likely find yourself asking who is liable for a slip and fall and how many slip and fall cases go to trial. This helpful guide will answer those questions and others.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall in a Las Vegas casino, you’ll need the services of Las Vegas personal injury lawyers. Contact the experienced slip and fall attorneys in Las Vegas at Bay Law Accident Attorneys today to start your claim and get the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Slip and Fall Hazards in a Las Vegas Casino?
If you’ve ever been inside a Las Vegas casino, you know there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong.
Setting aside the abundance of alcohol and other substances, casinos are cramped spaces filled with people in heightened states of emotion. If something goes wrong, these ingredients can be a recipe for disaster.
Here are some of the most common hazards that could lead to a slip and fall in a Las Vegas casino:
- Unaddressed spills
- Uneven surfaces inside and outside the casino
- Debris and clutter in walkways
- Loose handrails
- Poor or inadequate lighting in designated walking areas
If you notice any of these hazards during a night out, it’s best to avoid them and alert the proper authorities. However, in the event of a slip and fall, you need to know how to seek compensation for your injuries.
Work with a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Las Vegas to Get the Best Compensation for Your Case
If you experience a slip and fall in a Las Vegas casino, consider consulting a premises liability accident lawyer.
When you retain an attorney to handle your slip and fall case, they’ll be in a position to advocate on your behalf. From dealing with the insurance companies to potentially drafting a settlement proposal, having the right attorney can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining peace of mind and fighting for compensation.
Regardless of the nature and extent of your injuries, dealing with the fallout from a slip and fall accident can be overwhelming.
First, you must prove you were injured due to the casino’s negligence. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re probably wondering, “how do you prove a slip and fall case?” The short answer is to work with a qualified accident attorney.
When you hire an experienced attorney who’s well-versed in casino slip and fall settlements, you won’t have to bother yourself with the minute technical details of your claim. All you have to do is tell your side of the story, provide relevant documentation, and answer the phone from time to time. Your attorney will take care of the rest.
Keep in Mind the Statute of Limitations in Nevada
Any slip and fall in casino spaces is subject to Nevada’s statute of limitations.
In Nevada, the statute of limitations for these kinds of injuries is two years. NRS 11.190 states that accident victims have two years from the date of the injury to bring suit against those responsible. For this reason, it’s extremely important to consult an attorney as soon as possible after sustaining an injury.
Try to document as much as possible, including taking pictures of the accident site and any hazards present. If there are any eyewitnesses, make sure to obtain their contact information so your attorney can call on them to confirm their accounts later.
Remember, the clock starts ticking as soon as you’re injured, so it’s important to make the best use of your time and consult an attorney right away.
Check out Nevada’s Commencement of Civil Actions for more information.
What Is the Duty of Care Owed by Las Vegas Casinos?
Duty of care laws require individuals to take reasonable steps to protect others in certain spaces. In the context of a casino, this applies to clients and patrons.
If the individual in question fails to act in a manner that keeps others reasonably safe, it could be seen as a breach of duty of care. If their actions caused harm to others, they might have put themselves and the company they work for in a position of liability.
NRS 651.015
Nevada law NRS 651.015 states that if an employer or owner fails to address safety hazards that result in the injury of another party, they can be held liable for damages.
For example, suppose that a business owner fails to take reasonable precautions to keep their guests safe and someone is injured as a direct result of this failure. In that case, they could be held liable for any injuries sustained due to their negligence.
Figure Out What Damages You Can Recover for Your Injury in a Casino
A slip and fall injury can turn your life upside down, literally and figuratively. What many people don’t realize is that the injuries from a slip and fall accident can be life-threatening.
Here are some of the most common injuries that result from slip and fall accidents:
- Bone fractures
- Broken teeth
- Jaw fractures
- Nose fractures
- Cuts
- Eye injuries
- Skull fractures
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
As you can see, many of these injuries are quite serious. Unfortunately, some of them aren’t immediately apparent. This is especially true if you experience a traumatic brain injury.
For example, if another casino patron spills their beverage and you slip and hit your head, you might get a concussion. Symptoms for this mild form of traumatic brain injury might not manifest immediately, meaning you’ll need to get checked out at the hospital to confirm that you’re not injured.
Beware of Concussions
If you experience a concussion (or even a potential concussion), it’s extremely important that you see a medical professional as soon as possible.
If you sustain a concussion and fall asleep while experiencing intracranial bleeding, you could end up “coning,” which is when the blood pressure in your head increases to the extent that a portion of the brain is forced out through the opening at the base of the skull.
Consequently, falling asleep with a concussion can be life-threatening.
Moreover, if you sustain another head injury while you have a concussion, you could contract chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE occurs when the brain becomes damaged repeatedly, resulting in gradual degeneration. It can lead to lifelong issues and is only detectable by autopsy.
Learn More About What You Can Expect from a Claim
If you sustain an injury and file a claim, you’ll want to know what happens next.
First, you’ll have your initial consultation with your lawyer. During this meeting, you’ll bring all relevant documentation for the attorney to review. Upon reviewing the materials and evaluating the statute of limitations, the attorney will let you know whether your case is viable.
If your attorney is confident in their chances of winning your case, they’ll agree to represent you. If not, they may recommend another firm or alternative course of action.
When it comes to payment, many attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means they don’t get paid until you’re awarded compensation for your claim. Such an arrangement is designed to give the client peace of mind in knowing their attorney is working in their best interests.
If the attorney takes your case, the first thing they’ll do is reach out to the insurance companies involved and try to secure payments on your behalf. If they’re unable to do so, they’ll start the litigation process.
If the case moves to trial, you can expect to have to answer questions from the defendant’s legal team regarding the incident and your injuries.
Research How Tribal Laws May Affect Your Case
Recovering compensation could prove more challenging if you’re injured in a casino that sits on a reservation. That’s because reservations have unique laws that don’t apply to the rest of the state or territory they’re in, which adds more complexity to your injury claim and makes hiring a qualified attorney even more imperative.
If the slip and fall injury occurred in an area governed by tribal laws, tell your lawyer so they can begin formulating a strategy. However, keep the statute of limitations in mind, and make sure you submit your claim as soon as possible. The last thing you want is for the statute of limitations to run out before your claim can be validated.
Collect Valuable Evidence from the Scene of the Accident
One of the most advantageous things you can do after experiencing a slip and fall injury is to collect as much evidence as possible from the scene. This includes photographs, witness statements, and even security camera footage if it’s available.
If anyone asks you whether you’re all right, it’s wise to refrain from saying anything. Instead, get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Ask for a copy of their notes and any X-rays they take. You’ll also want to request a copy of the incident report from the officers on the scene if the police are called.
When responding to an injury, the police will usually take notes and solicit statements from onlookers. These records can be valuable evidence for an attorney and could mean the difference between receiving compensation and having to deal with the financial repercussions of your injuries on your own.
Finally, take care not to post about your accident on social media, whether in the form of written communication, captions, or photos. If this type of content falls into the wrong hands, it could benefit the other side and severely damage your claim.
Contact Bay Law Accident Attorneys to Speak with a Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you’re looking for slip and fall lawyers in Las Vegas, you can’t do better than Bay Law Accident Attorneys.
We’ll put every ounce of our decades of combined experience into securing the compensation you deserve. We approach each case with compassion and understanding and will deploy a working knowledge of Nevada slip and fall law to help make you financially whole.
Contact Bay Law today for a free consultation about your slip and fall case and “get better with Bay.”