The Legal Rights of Injured Casino Guests: What You Need to Know

Nobody ever expects to sustain an injury when participating in an activity of enjoyment. However, as almost every adult in the world realizes, accidents can happen anywhere and at any time…even in what are often considered bastions of safety and security, such as casinos. In fact, the heady mixture of bright, flashy lighting, copious amounts of alcohol, and hundreds if not thousands of others all on edge can sometimes add up to create a situation where an accident is pretty much inevitable.

Nonetheless, when the unavoidable happens, the question that tends to arise is: what now? If you were hurt in a casino while conducting business and it could have been prevented, you could be entitled to recourse as long as you follow the correct steps. This post will outline your legal rights to ensure that you get what you're owed and also so the casino in question can take the necessary steps to ensure similar accidents don't occur in the future.

Identifying Potential Injuries Is The First Step

While it is very likely that you will receive a decent payout from any litigation regarding negligence, most people are unaware of the extent of suffering that these accidents can involve. Therefore, the first step is always to identify the possible issues so you can do your best to avoid them. According to this Aria casino injury lawyer, at least six potential scenarios could lead to your injury. These include (but are certainly not limited to):

Slipping and falls: This is perhaps the most common cause of injury on any premises, let alone a casino. Nonetheless, because of the sheer size and scope of these kinds of establishments, they tend to be more likely in these locations. It could be something as minor as another guest dropping their drink on the ground and a member of staff not adequately placing warning signs or cleaning the area.
Faulty chairs (or other equipment): Since these establishments service hundreds of thousands of guests annually, it's not uncommon for chairs or other equipment to fall pretty to the usual wear and tear. Casino management's job is to ensure every time inside their casino is in good working order and safe for their guests.
Food poisoning: Many of the larger casinos offer world-class dining experiences, but this still doesn't preclude them from the occasional bout of food poisoning. If you suspect you have contracted a food-related illness from a casino, you should seek legal advice after receiving medical treatment, as this type of poisoning can be so severe that it can actually be fatal in some cases.
Assault: You would be surprised at how much of an issue assault is at casinos. It can occur from other guests or even from the staff themselves. Contacting a lawyer is a good idea because it may be more difficult to prove your innocence in this case.
Transportation: Most large casinos offer shuttle buses or other forms of transportation to deliver you into their embrace. Any number of innocents during the trip could result in injury and be a possible tort.
Something in your hotel room: This won't be relevant to those making a day trip, but those staying multiple nights could become injured due to a broad range of factors in a hotel room.

What To Do If You Are Injured?

As is the case with anywhere you go, you have certain rights that protect you if you become injured due to negligence, either in the case of faulty equipment or employee carelessness. However, if you want to increase your chances of successful litigation, you must take specific steps.

Seek Medical Attention

Whether your injury is minor or severe, it is of the utmost importance that you seek professional medical care. Because you never truly know the severity of an injury before it is looked at by a professional, you must take all steps to visit a doctor. Moreover, you should collect as much evidence pertaining to your injury as possible, including costs covered later.

Inform The Casino Operator Of Your Incidence

Depending on the severity and priority of your injuries, you may or may not be able to inform them immediately. However, you must endeavor to let them know what happened as soon as you can so they can provide advice on what steps you might need to take (although you should never agree to anything without an attorney). Further, the earlier you can let them know, the more assistance they might be able to provide regarding video evidence, etc.

Document Your Expenses

If you plan on taking them to court for damages, you will need to prove how much the injury has left you out of pocket. While you might hear of cases that reach into the millions of dollars, there are generally pretty rare. In most cases, you will only be entitled to your losses and possibly other costs that a judge deems related to the case. Therefore, you should take your time and prepare to document every expense you incur, regardless of whether it's related or not, to present in court when or if that time arrives. Some of the most common costs include:

Medical expenses: These will likely be the most significant costs you want to recoup. You should get doctor's notes and bills pertaining to every aspect of your care.
Transportation: This might include not transport to and from the hospital but also other expenses related to your injury, such as taxi costs to the grocery store, etc.
Ongoing care: If you need long-term medical attention, save every bill and receipt associated with that care.
Proof of lost wages: In some cases, you might actually lose wages due to having to take time off work. In this case, you might need a note from your employer and proof of your previous earnings to prove how much you would have earned.

Hire A Lawyer

Perhaps the most critical step in this entire scenario is to hire a personal injury lawyer who not only specializes in these cases but is dedicated to your case. You should book a consultation and discuss with them the next steps. A quality lawyer will help you get precisely what you deserve and be able to hold the casino accountable for its negligence.

In many ways, the steps involved in personal injury cases in a casino are similar to those in any other situation. Nevertheless, you will be in far better stead by understanding your rights and knowing what steps to take.

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