Getting injured in an accident might be the last thing you expect to happen when you visit a casino in Las Vegas. Whether you are a resident of the area or a tourist on vacation, a casino accident can leave you with many questions about your legal rights and options. It is important to take certain steps to protect yourself if you get into this situation.
Your top priority should be protecting your own safety and health first. Depending on the type of accident, you may have suffered a broken bone, soft-tissue injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or another serious type of injury.
Going to a doctor right away can ensure that you receive proper injury treatment. It can also help you qualify for benefits from an insurance company. Even if you initially feel fine, visit a nearby hospital for a checkup. Your adrenaline from the accident could be masking injury symptoms.
Report the accident to the manager of the casino without delay. Ask the supervisor or owner of the casino to fill out an accident report. Then, make a copy of the report for your own records. If your injuries constitute an emergency or you are the victim of a crime, such as physical assault due to negligent security, report it to law enforcement.
If you are able to do so, collect evidence regarding your accident before you leave the scene. Common types of casino accidents include slip and falls, assaults, elevator and escalator accidents, falls from heights, parking lot accidents, fire hazards, and food poisoning. No matter what type of accident injured you, take photographs of the scene and any hazardous property conditions for evidence. Collect information from eyewitnesses, as well.
Casinos can often be held liable, or financially responsible, for accidents and injuries that occur on their premises. Casino owners and operators are responsible for ensuring safe premises for all casino visitors. If a casino falls short of its duty of care, its insurance company may be held responsible for paying for a victim’s related accident and bills.
After a casino accident, file an injury claim with the casino’s insurance provider to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses. You can get this information by contacting the casino or hiring a premises liability lawyer to investigate and identify the at-fault party for you. Do not admit fault for the accident when talking to an insurance provider.
You can support and build your casino accident injury claim by collecting documents and records that are relevant to your case. This may include copies of police reports, incident reports, medical records, other proof of losses, receipts for expenses, and communications with the casino or its insurance provider. Keep all of these documents organized and together in one file to bring to an attorney for a review.
If you want assistance filing a claim against a casino or negotiating for fair compensation, contact an attorney at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers. We offer free consultations with our Las Vegas casino injury attorneys, where you can tell your story to an experienced lawyer and receive personalized legal advice at no cost. Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience and have collected more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.