Injured at a Las Vegas Show or Event? Here’s What You Need to Know
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There is a reason that Las Vegas is described as the city that never sleeps. With its glamorous events and exciting atmosphere, it continues to attract mass attention. However, amidst the thrill of it all, potential accidents are bound to occur. Each year, tourists will visit the Strip with the expectation of having an unforgettable time with friends and family. But, some may encounter hazardous property conditions that could impact their overall safety.
Unexpected dangers often lead to injuries, which is why it is important for concert goers, sports fanatics, and theater attendees to understand your rights and know what steps to take immediately after to ensure you receive the right care and compensation for any damages you incurred in a Las Vegas show or event.
Common Causes for Injuries at Las Vegas Events
Las Vegas is known to have electrifying events that draw in large crowds who are eager to experience live performances. But, with such a high number of people present in one location, the risk of injuries can greatly increase. Knowing what particular issues can emerge during a show or concert is important for enhancing safety and ensuring that all attendees can enjoy a show without stressing over the threat of injury.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Las Vegas shows and events can get pretty packed. With numerous guests holding and spilling drinks, slippery surfaces will quickly develop and trigger slip and fall accidents. Poor lighting could also contribute to such cases since a poorly lit room will prevent people from identifying uneven floors or objects blocking pathways. This is particularly common in concert halls and theaters.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Las Vegas hotels and resorts are known to provide pools to guests as part of the attraction. Although it brings joy and excitement to many, there are some downsides to it that can ultimately lead to injuries. For instance, with multiple people going in and out of the pool, the area is expected to have wet surfaces. This, in turn, can cause guests to slip and fall.
Other forms of safety hazards that can provoke swimming pool accidents include:
- Defective equipment, like ladders or diving boards
- Inadequate supervision and signages
- Overcrowding
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevator and escalator accidents are bound to happen at an overcrowded Las Vegas hotel or concert venue due to various reasons. An elevator could malfunction if it is overloaded. This can cause crowds to get trapped inside and possibly sustain injuries when attempting to exit.
Escalators, on the other hand, could lead to safety issues if it makes an abrupt stop as this can throw others off balance. Excessive people on an escalator may also influence many to push and shove, which can contribute to fall-related injuries.
Below are some other additional factors that may create elevator and escalator hazards:
- Design flaws
- Electrical failures
- Lack of maintenance
- Misuse by attendees
Negligent Security
Las Vegas shows and events should have reliable security monitoring the area to protect guests from encountering any foreseeable danger. But, if they are not enforcing safety measures, it could lead to an array of problems, like:
- No crowd control
- Theft
- Criminal activities
Alcohol-Related Injury
In a party-centric city like Las Vegas, events typically provide large amounts of alcoholic beverages to guests. This often leads to excessive consumption in a short period of time. As a result, alcohol poisoning may occur and may put party goers at risk of sustaining life-threatening injuries.
Not only that, but high consumption of alcohol can promote vision impairment and poor decision-making, thus restricting people from properly navigating their way in and out of the event without getting harmed in the process.
Steps to Take After an Injury at a Las Vegas Event
Attending a lively event at Las Vegas can be a fun, memorable experience. But, unfortunately, this may not always be the case. For some, they may be presented with hazardous conditions that can lead to serious injuries. If you have found yourself in such a position while trying to enjoy a show or a concert, it is important to know what steps to take soon after to ensure your safety and legal rights.
Seek Medical Treatment
If you suffered any injuries at a Las Vegas show or event, you should seek immediate medical attention. Once you get your wound assessed, a treatment plan will be established to help with your recovery. All doctor visits will be saved on file and can be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.
Report the Incident
You should notify the event organizers or venue staff about the injury as soon as you can. If they establish an incident report, you should request a copy of it to use for your records.
Obtain Evidence
Be sure to take pictures or video footage of your injury and where it happened. Do not forget to also gather the following:
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Written documentation of your perspective
Consult with a Las Vegas Premises Liability Lawyer
Navigating a premises liability case after an injury at a Las Vegas show or event can be challenging. But, acquiring legal representation from a personal injury law firm will help ease the process. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team premises liability lawyers will step in to handle the difficult tasks on your behalf to minimize your stress and advocate for your best interests.
Identifying the Responsible Party for Your Injury
To pursue a premises liability claim, you will need to identify the responsible party for your injury. This process will require you to obtain substantial evidence to support your case. It is also beneficial to hire a Las Vegas premises liability lawyer to assess the situation and determine what individual or entity should be held responsible for the injuries and damages you incurred.
The defendant will vary in each case. Some may have more than one liable party, whereas others will only target one particular group to sue.
Event Organizers
Event organizers must maintain a safe environment prior to allowing attendees to enter the premises. This includes maintaining crowds and hiring enough security to monitor the area. If injuries occur due to lack of planning or negligence on the organizers end, they may face legal repercussions for any damages that were reported.
Venue Owners and Operators
The property owners and operators of the venue are responsible for property management, like inspections and repairs. If they fail to upkeep the premises and allow dangerous conditions to be accessible to the public, injuries are likely to occur. Given the circumstance, the venue owner may be held liable.
Staff and Employees
Staff members are given work-related requirements to fulfill to ensure the facility is running smoothly. But, if they choose to ignore the guidelines, it can affect the safety of others. For instance, bartenders are required to limit the number of drinks served to attendees. If they do not comply with this rule, it can lead to devastating outcomes.
Third-Party Vendors
In certain cases, third-party vendors, like caterers or rental companies, can hold accountability for injuries that occur during events. For example, catering services must serve food and beverages that are safe for guests to consume. But, if they are not following food safety protocols and industry regulations, it could be contaminated with unsafe ingredients that may lead to food poisoning or other injuries.
Other Attendees
It is possible for other attendees to cause injuries at a Las Vegas show or event. If the person is exhibiting aggressive behavior and inflicts harm onto one or more people, they will be met with legal consequences for their actions.
How to Prove Negligence in a Las Vegas Show or Event Injury
To prove negligence in event injury cases, you will need to exhibit the following key elements.
The defendant owed you a duty of care. In this case, the event organizers or venue were required to provide a safe environment for guests to enter. This includes having adequate security guards present and taking the steps needed to prevent foreseeable hazards from occurring. Failing to fulfill these obligations can contribute to injuries.
The defendant breached their duty of care. This could be through lack of crowd control or ignoring hazardous conditions that should have been resolved at a reasonable time frame.
Your injuries and damages were caused by the defendant’s negligence. To prove this, you will need to present the costs you incurred, like: medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and other related charges.
Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, compensation will be granted only if you are no more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.
Potential Damages Available for Injuries at Large Venues
Injuries that occur at a large venue may have various types of damages available for the affected party. These are generally categorized into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are tangible losses you incurred after the incident, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intangible costs you experienced, like emotional distress and pain and suffering.
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer for exhibiting egregious behavior and to deter such conduct from happening in the future.
Get Legal Help with a Las Vegas Show or Event Injury for FREE
If you were injured while attending a show or event, you may be entitled to compensation. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our skilled Las Vegas premises liability lawyers are available 24/7 to assist you with your legal needs. Our team is highly skilled in proving damages so that you can get the compensation you deserve for your losses.
To schedule a FREE consultation, you can reach out to us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.