What are my legal options after a Las Vegas casino slip and fall?

Las Vegas is more than just a mecca for those who hope to "win big" by chance. The city's alluring aesthetic, captivating entertainment, and world-class resorts attract tourists from across the United States and from around the world. According to statistics, more than 42 million people visited Las Vegas in 2018. The last thing that any tourist or patron wants is for their visit to end with a slip and fall in a casino.

Unfortunately, slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of injury on the Las Vegas strip. People ages 65 and older, and those with certain physical ailments, are the most at risk of falling.

Here are the leading causes of a casino slip and fall:

• Liquid spills that employees, managers, or property owners fail to address
• Uneven surfaces on sidewalks and walking surfaces
• Debris and other tripping hazards left on walking surfaces
• Poor lighting in areas where visitors walk
• Loose or inadequate handrails or railings on stairs

Visitors who fall on casino property often sustain serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Joint sprains
• Knee injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Cuts, bruises, and contusions
• Joint dislocations

What should I do after a slip and fall on casino property?

When falls occur, they often take visitors by surprise. Most visitors are focused on the sounds, attractions, and illumination at Las Vegas casinos. That's why it's the obligation of casino staff to ensure walking areas are cleared of all spills, debris, uneven (or unsecured) carpets, or other hazards that can result in a fall.

If you happen to fall while walking on casino grounds, don't panic. Instead, these are the steps you can take to help build a strong premises liability claim:

• Document the scene of the fall. Before the casino staff comes along and cleans up the mess that caused your fall, your first course of action should be to document the details. This includes:
  • Taking pictures of the scene where the fall occurred
  • Writing down the date, time, and location of the fall
• Gather witness information. In a crowded Las Vegas casino, there's a good chance that several people witnessed your fall. Perhaps some of them even rushed over to help you. Don't hesitate to obtain names and phone numbers of witnesses. Their testimony can significantly impact the outcome of your claim.
• Report the incident to management. Not only does reporting the fall to casino management help them address the hazard quickly, but it also allows management to document the incident on their end.
• Document the incident report: Fill out an incident report with the casino and take a photo of it as most casinos will not give you a copy of this very important documentation.

What should I do next?

Whether you suffered serious pain, or no pain at all, after a fall, you should always get immediate medical attention. Falls can come as a shock, which in turn, can induce the release of adrenaline. This often masks the pain of sustaining an injury and can easily fool you into believing that you're fine. Pain can set in days later. By getting medical attention, your injury can be treated before it worsens. Plus, a medical evaluation can be beneficial to your claim.

After you have taken all the appropriate steps mentioned above and sought medical attention, the final, and most crucial, course of action is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Don't waste your time speaking with the insurance companies. Anything you tell them can later be used to hurt your claim.

Additionally, you should never accept a settlement from an insurance company. It will only cover a fraction of your medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Instead, let the highly-skilled legal team at Lasso Injury Law LLC do the work for you.

What can I expect from my claim?

Lasso Injury Law LLC can help you pursue a premises liability claim by launching an investigation and looking for the following clues:

• Was the slip, trip, and fall hazard promptly addressed?
• Should staff or management have known about the slip, trip, and fall hazard?
• Was the hazard created by casino staff?

The insurance company who represents the casino where your slip and fall occurred may take advantage of Nevada's comparative negligence rule. They may try to argue that you were partially or completely at fault for your fall. If you are found to be partially at fault in court, your compensation may be reduced. That's why you need an attorney who knows how to present the facts and devise a winning legal strategy in court.

Being injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident can put a damper on your Las Vegas experience. If the negligence of casino staff and management resulted in your injuries, you shouldn't be forced to pay for your own medical expenses out of your own pocket. If you're unable to attend work while you recover, you shouldn't have to compromise your earnings.

The statute of limitations to file premises liability claim in Nevada is two years. The sooner you take action, the better. Contact us online today to find out how we can help you.