Please note: Triumph Attorney Connect is an attorney matching and referral service, not a law firm. This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every situation is different; talk with a licensed Nevada attorney about your specific case. No outcome is guaranteed.
What a slip and fall case is really about
Slip, trip, and fall claims fall under premises liability. In general terms, people who own or control property in Nevada have a duty to use reasonable care to keep it reasonably safe for visitors. A claim usually turns on questions like these:
- Was there a dangerous condition, like a spill, a loose mat, a broken stair, or a missing handrail?
- Did the owner or its employees create the condition, know about it, or should they reasonably have discovered and fixed it?
- Was the hazard open and obvious, or was there a warning?
- Did the condition actually cause the fall and the injuries?
Simply falling on someone else's property isn't enough by itself. The details matter, which is why evidence gathered early is so important.
Common places people get hurt in Las Vegas
- Casino floors and hotel lobbies with polished surfaces and spilled drinks
- Resort pools, pool decks, and spa areas
- Restaurants and buffets
- Grocery and retail stores
- Parking garages, sidewalks, and parking lots
- Apartment complexes, including stairs, walkways, and poorly lit common areas
What to do after a fall
- Get medical attention. Falls commonly cause fractures, head injuries, and back and knee injuries, and some aren't obvious right away.
- Report the fall to the property, such as security or a manager, and ask for a copy of the incident report or at least the report number.
- Photograph what caused the fall before it's cleaned up or fixed, along with the area, the lighting, any warning signs (or the lack of them), and your shoes.
- Get witness names and phone numbers.
- Ask about video. Casinos, hotels, and stores often have surveillance cameras, but footage may be kept for only a limited time. An attorney can send a request to preserve it.
- Be careful what you sign or say. Property insurers may contact you quickly. It's often wise to speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement.
Nevada rules that may affect a fall claim
Under Nevada's modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141), your own conduct matters. If you were partly at fault, for example because you were looking at your phone, your recovery may be reduced by your share of fault, and you generally can't recover if you were more than 50% at fault. The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada is two years from the date of injury (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Falls on government property, like public sidewalks or government buildings, can involve special procedures, so don't delay.
If you fell while working, your situation may be handled mainly through Nevada workers' compensation rather than a premises liability claim, although claims against someone other than your employer are sometimes possible. A lawyer can tell you which path applies.
Choosing the right slip and fall lawyer
Premises cases are evidence-driven and are often defended hard by large property owners and their insurers. Questions to ask a lawyer include:
- Have you handled premises liability cases against hotels, casinos, or large retailers?
- How do you go about preserving surveillance video and incident reports?
- What is your contingency fee, and how are case costs handled?
We make this step simple. Tell us about your fall in our short form, and we'll match you with a participating Nevada-licensed attorney who handles slip and fall cases for a free case evaluation. If an attorney takes your case, you typically pay nothing upfront.