Casinos are exciting places, between the lights, the sounds and the thrill of winning. However, they are still businesses. And just like any business, casinos should be safe for those who come inside. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Hazardous conditions in a casino can put people in danger of slipping and falling, resulting in painful, long-lasting injuries. When these accidents happen, people often wonder who is responsible?
When the casino is responsible
Under some circumstances, the property owner can be liable for any damages suffered in an accident on the premises.
For this to be the case, parties must be able to show the following:
- There was a hazardous condition.
- The owner knew or should have known about the condition.
- The owner failed to take the appropriate steps to remedy the hazard or warn others about it.
- A person suffered damages because of the hazard.
A hazardous condition could be a wet floor, torn carpet or inadequate lighting in an entryway. Maintenance records or visitor complaints could show that the property owner knew about the issue. If there were no signs warning you about potential hazards and they had been that way for several days, that could indicate a property owner did not attempt to remedy the situation.
If you slipped or tripped on this hazard and got hurt, you could have a negligence claim against the property owner.
When someone else is liable
However, slipping and falling on someone’s property does not automatically make that party responsible for accidents. In some cases, someone else is liable.
For example, if you get into a physical fight at the casino, the other person or persons involved may be responsible for your injuries, not the property owner.
If you were intoxicated or otherwise reckless at the time of an accident, you could be more than 50 percent to blame for the accident. This would bar you from recovering damages under Nevada contributory negligence laws.
Often, a negligent property owner will attempt to place blame on one of these other parties. Thus, it is crucial for victims to know their rights and work with legal representation to hold the proper party accountable.