Las Vegas is an extremely popular tourist destination, and people from around the world visit every year. One of the most prominent features of Las Vegas is its many casinos. Whether playing the slots or playing your hand at poker, casinos can be fun, but accidents can happen. If you are injured in a casino, talk to an attorney about how to get financial compensation.
You might sue a casino for injuries you incurred because of unsafe conditions on the premises. Common claims include injuries from elevator and escalator accidents, negligent security, and shuttlebus collisions. Tell your lawyer if you signed a waiver and get a copy of the waiver, too. The waiver may restrict your ability to sue under certain circumstances, although waivers are not always ironclad. You should call a lawyer soon, as your time to sue may be running out.
For a free initial case assessment, call our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.
Reasons You Can Sue a Las Vegas Casino for Personal Injuries
More than gambling happens in casinos, and there might be numerous potential hazards that can cause serious injuries. Below are a few common reasons for lawsuits against casinos in Las Vegas, although your specific situation might be different.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Casinos are often within the same buildings as large hotels. To get to the casino, you might have to take elevators or escalators. While these work most of the time, they can be incredibly dangerous if they malfunction.
Elevator accidents can not only be dangerous, but they can also be deadly. Elevators might suddenly drop numerous stories before crashing, and people who are unlucky enough to be on the elevator might be badly hurt or even killed.
Escalators can also malfunction and cause injuries. Escalators might suddenly start moving so fast that people are thrown off when they reach the bottom or top. People might also get fingers or toes caught in the escalator and be badly injured.
Negligent Security
While casinos are supposed to be fun, they can be dangerous if other patrons become irate or rowdy. Many casino patrons are mostly there for the drinks, and intoxication is common. As a result, fights are common.
While casinos hire security to remove rowdy or violent patrons, they sometimes are not there to do their job when they are supposed to be. If you were injured because of negligent security, our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys may help you sue the casino for your damages.
Casino Shuttle Bus Accidents
Many casinos try to make it easier for guests to get to and from the airport or other locations by providing shuttle bus services. Like any other vehicle on the road, shuttle buses may be involved in dangerous collisions.
Bus accidents tend to be severe since buses are large and heavy vehicles. Your injuries might be severe, and the casino might be liable if it employs the shuttle bus driver.
Can You Sue a Casino for Personal Injuries if You Signed a Waiver?
Casinos usually do not make people sign general liability waivers to enter the premises and gamble. However, waivers might be involved if you are a guest at an adjoining hotel or if the casino offers certain thrill rides.
The hotel might make guests agree to waiver terms before booking rooms. This might not be the case for every hotel and casino in Vegas, but it should be discussed with your attorney. The waiver might limit your ability to sue for damages if you are injured in the casino.
Your attorney can help you determine if the waiver is even enforceable. The waiver might not cover your accident, and you can sue the casino. Alternatively, if the actions of the casino constitute gross negligence, the waiver might not be enforceable for public policy reasons.
How Long You Have to Sue a Las Vegas Casino for Personal Injuries
If you have a valid claim, you have a limited amount of time in which to file it. According to the statute of limitations under N.R.S. § 11.190(4)(e), personal injury plaintiffs in Nevada have 2 years from the date of injury to file their cases in court.
It is best to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence will disappear.
Reasons You Might Not Be Able to Sue a Casino for Personal Injuries
We should be prepared to deal with arguments from the defendant as to why they should not have to cover your damages.
Talk to your attorney about whether you were drinking before the accident. If the accident happened largely because you were intoxicated, the casino might not be liable. This is a common problem in personal injury cases involving casinos. Many people enjoy drinking in casinos, and heavy intoxication is not unusual.
The casino might instead argue that you were not lawfully present on the premises. If you had been told to leave but refused, the casino might not be liable for your injuries since you may legally be considered a trespasser.
We might also have some trouble if you were adequately warned of dangerous conditions and advised to steer clear of them, but you chose not to (e.g., ignoring obvious wet-floor signs and then slipping and falling).
How Long a Personal Injury Case Against a Casino Might Last
How long your personal injury case against a Las Vegas casino takes will vary based on your unique situation.
Cases involving more complicated facts tend to take longer. If you were hurt in a straightforward slip and fall accident, your accident will likely move faster than a complicated case involving a severe elevator malfunction.
We must also consider how willing you and the defendant are to settle. If the casino is willing to offer a settlement that adequately covers your damages, there might be no need to pursue a lengthy trial. However, if nobody is willing to negotiate a settlement, your case will take more time.
Get Legal Help Now From Our Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorneys
For a free initial case assessment, call our Henderson, NV personal injury attorneys at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.