Casinos have many attractions and features that keep guests both entertained and distracted. This level of distraction, not to mention spilled drinks and food items, can easily lead to slip and fall accidents. In other words, casinos present unique hazards that owners must fix to keep visitors safe.
Why Casinos Present Unique Slip and Fall Risks
Casino interiors sometimes use dim lighting to create atmosphere, but this can hide spills, torn carpet, or uneven flooring.
The presence of bars and buffets increases the risk of liquid spills, and crowded conditions also make it hard to spot dangers.
Common factors in casino fall claims include:
- Dimly lit gaming floors and walkways
- Uncleaned food and drink spills near service areas
- Damaged or worn carpeting near floor transitions
- Crowded walkways that hide low-level tripping hazards
Bright flashing lights and loud sounds from casino machines can divert a visitor’s attention away from the walkway.
Common Injuries from Casino Falls
Falls on hard or carpeted Casino floors often cause more serious injuries than one might expect. Victims have little time to catch themselves.
Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries from head impacts
- Back and spinal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Torn ligaments
Of course, older guests face higher risks of severe injury, plus longer recovery times after these accidents.
Establishing Liability for a Casino Fall
Casino owners and managers have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests, including keeping floors free of slipping and tripping hazards. They must routinely inspect the property for hazards and fix those they uncover (or at least warn of them if they cannot be fixed right away).
To prove a casino owner was negligent in causing your slip and fall, you must establish several elements.
You must first show that there was a dangerous hazard on casino property. Next, you must establish that the owner knew or should have known about it and that they failed to fix it or warn you before your fall. You must also show you suffered damages.
Crucial evidence of negligence includes surveillance footage, incident reports of prior falls, floor maintenance logs, and statements from employees or eyewitnesses.
Casinos operate extensive surveillance networks, and video coverage often provides compelling proof of what happened. However, this footage can be overwritten without a demand to preserve it.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Casino Injury
A successful casino injury claim can cover your damages related to a slip and fall. Economic and non-economic losses include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
In all, an injury case should compensate you for all personal and financial losses occasioned by the accident. An experienced injury attorney can help you determine the damages you’re entitled to and identify the precise value of your claim.
If you were injured in a casino fall, Feagans Law Group can investigate your crash and fight for fair compensation. Contact us today to set up a consultation with our St. Charles slip and fall accident attorney.