Who Is Held Liable for a Las Vegas Casino Accident?
If time spent in a Las Vegas casino ends with a painful injury from an accident, such as a slip and fall or violent assault, the injured victim may be entitled to financial compensation. One or multiple parties could be held liable, or legally and financially accountable, for the accident, depending on the circumstances.
Casino Owner or Operator
In Nevada, premises liability laws state that the owner or controller of a property is responsible for maintaining that property and preventing foreseeable injury risks. A property owner’s specific duties of care (responsibilities to visitors) change based on the situation, including the legal classification of the visitor.
Casino customers are classified as invitees, who have the property owner’s permission to enter the premises and do so for the property owner’s own benefit. Casino owners and operators in Las Vegas owe the highest duties of care to invitees. This includes regularly inspecting the casino for potential injury hazards, warning casino customers of potential risks and remedying defects in a timely manner.
If the owner or operator of a Las Vegas casino is negligent in the maintenance or care of the property, meaning he or she fails to meet the required duties of care, this party could be held liable for a customer’s related accident and injury. Examples include failing to provide adequate security, failing to properly train employees and allowing hazardous conditions to exist on the property.
Casino Manager or Personnel
If a casino accident is traced back to the negligence of an individual who worked as an employee of the casino at the time, the casino could be held vicariously liable. Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for the actions of their on-duty employees. If a casino worker negligently failed to clean up a spill, for example, and this resulted in a slip and fall accident, the casino itself could be held liable as the employer.
Security Company
Some casinos in Las Vegas outsource their security guards from third-party security companies. If a casino guest is attacked, assaulted or robbed on the premises – including in the casino’s parking lot or hotel – due to a negligent security guard, the company that hired the guard could be held liable for damages.
Manufacturer or Distributor
If a casino accident is caused by a defective or dangerous product on the premises, such as a malfunctioning elevator or escalator, the manufacturer of the product could be held responsible through a product liability claim. In many product liability cases in Las Vegas, the victim does not need to prove that the defendant was negligent; it is enough to show that the product contained a defect and caused the victim’s injuries.
How to Recover Compensation for a Casino Accident in Las Vegas
If you get injured in a casino accident while in Las Vegas, contact Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers to request a free consultation with an attorney. Our Las Vegas casino injury lawyers can investigate your accident to determine if you have grounds for a premises liability claim against the casino or another liable party. If so, we can help you file your claim to recover the costs of your accident. Call us at (702) 410-6623 today.