After a slip and fall in Las Vegas, get medical care, report the fall to the property, photograph the hazard, keep your shoes and clothing, and ask in writing that the property keep its video. Nevada generally allows two years to file (NRS 11.190(4)(e)), and claims against public bodies have extra notice steps.
A slip and fall accident can happen in an instant — a wet floor at a grocery store, an uneven sidewalk outside a casino, a poorly lit stairwell at a hotel.
What many people don't realize is that property owners in Nevada have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe. When they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, the injured person may have the right to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
This guide explains how Nevada slip and fall law works, what you need to prove to win your case, and the steps you should take if you've been injured on someone else's property in Las Vegas.
Injured in a Slip and Fall?
Call us at (702) 518-8584 for a free consultation.
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
What Is a Slip and Fall Case?
A slip and fall case is a type of personal injury claim that falls under premises liability law. Premises liability holds property owners and occupiers — including businesses, hotels, casinos, landlords, and government entities — legally responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents in Las Vegas include:
- Wet or slippery floors without warning signs
- Spilled liquids in casino gaming areas, restaurants, or hotel lobbies
- Uneven pavement, cracked sidewalks, or broken flooring
- Poorly lit stairwells, hallways, or parking garages
- Missing or broken handrails
- Loose carpeting or floor mats
- Merchandise or debris left in walkways
- Ice or standing water in parking lots
- Wet entryways and parking lots after summer monsoon storms
Las Vegas sees heavy foot traffic in places like the Strip, Fremont Street, resort pool decks and spas, and busy retail centers. Owners of high-traffic spaces are expected to spot and deal with hazards promptly.
Nevada Premises Liability Law: Who Is Responsible?
Nevada's general injury statute, NRS 41.130, makes a person liable for injuries caused by their wrongful act, neglect or default. Premises cases apply that rule, together with Nevada court decisions on property owners' duties. Whether a property owner can be held liable depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Customers, Guests and Trespassers
Older Nevada cases sorted visitors into invitees (customers, hotel guests, casino patrons), licensees (social guests) and trespassers, and each group was owed a different duty. In 1994, Nevada's Supreme Court replaced those categories with one standard: the property owner must use reasonable care under the circumstances. Why a person was on the property can still be one of those circumstances. For a shopper, hotel guest, casino patron or diner, reasonable care generally includes looking for hazards and either correcting them or giving a clear warning.
What You Must Prove
In short, a fall claim usually turns on four points: a dangerous condition on the property, an owner who knew or should have known about it, a failure to correct it or warn you, and a link between that hazard and your injuries. Notice is where most disputes happen. Insurers often say the owner had no way of knowing, which is why early photos, witness names and video matter.
Comparative Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
Being partly to blame doesn't automatically end a claim. Under NRS 41.141, a person found 50 percent or less at fault can still recover, with the award cut by their share. Someone found more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover. Insurers may point to a phone in your hand or the shoes you had on. Our article on comparative negligence in Nevada walks through how the rule applies.
Insurance companies representing property owners almost always try to shift blame onto the injured person. A slip and fall lawyer can work to have fault assessed fairly and help you understand what your claim is worth under Nevada law.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Las Vegas
The steps you take immediately after a slip and fall accident can matter later. Here is what to do if you are injured on someone else's property.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your health comes first. Even if you feel okay at the scene, many slip and fall injuries — including concussions, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage — may not be immediately apparent. Call 911 or go to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Medical records created on the day of the accident are critical evidence. They document your injuries and tie them directly to the fall. Delays in seeking treatment give insurance companies grounds to argue your injuries are not serious or were not caused by the accident.
2. Report the Accident
Before leaving the premises, report the accident to the property owner, manager, or security staff. Ask that an official incident report be completed and request a copy. This creates a formal record that the accident occurred.
If you are at a casino or hotel, security personnel will typically respond and create an incident report. Make sure the report accurately reflects what happened and do not sign anything without reading it carefully.
3. Document the Scene
Take photos and videos immediately if you are physically able to do so. Capture the exact location where you fell, the hazardous condition that caused the fall, any warning signs that were or were not present, your visible injuries, and the surrounding environment including lighting conditions.
Hazards can be cleaned up or repaired quickly after an accident. Photographic evidence taken at the scene may be the only record of the condition that caused your fall.
4. Get Witness Information
If anyone saw you fall, ask for their name and contact information. Witness statements can corroborate your account of what happened and counter any attempt by the property owner to dispute the facts.
5. Preserve Your Clothing and Footwear
Do not wash or discard the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident. These items may serve as physical evidence in your case, particularly if your footwear is later challenged as a contributing factor.
6. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
The property owner's insurance company may contact you quickly and ask you to provide a recorded statement. Politely decline until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to minimize or deny your claim.
7. Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall cases involve complex liability questions. Insurers often dispute notice and fault. We can look into the fall, ask for video and deal with the insurer for you.
Slip and Fall Accidents at Las Vegas Casinos and Hotels
Falls at casinos and hotels raise their own issues. Large resorts usually have security teams, incident forms and camera systems. If you are hurt on a resort property, security staff will often record the scene soon after the incident, from the property's point of view.
That is why your own photos and notes matter. Resort video may show both the hazard and the fall, but it may be recorded over on a routine schedule unless someone asks for it to be kept. We can send a preservation letter asking the property to save it.
Common slip and fall hazards at Las Vegas casinos and hotels include spilled drinks on casino floors, wet floors near pools and spas, slippery marble or tile in lobbies and restrooms, uneven flooring at entrances and exits, and poorly lit parking structures.
If you were injured at a casino, hotel, or resort property on or near the Las Vegas Strip, contact us as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence immediately.
Casino Slip and Fall? Act Fast.
Video may be recorded over on a routine schedule, so ask in writing that it be kept, or call us at (702) 518-8584 and we can send a preservation letter.
Falls in a Hotel Room or Bathroom
A fall inside your room is still a fall on someone else's property. The hotel controls the room, its fixtures and its upkeep, even while you're staying there.
Common hazards. Wet tile outside the shower, a tub or shower with no mat or grab bar, leaks from a sink, toilet or ceiling, and lighting too dim to see the floor at night.
What to do. Call the front desk, ask for an incident report and write down the report number. Before housekeeping cleans the room, photograph the floor, the tub or shower, any leak and the lighting. Keep your folio or receipt to show your stay. The steps above still apply.
Who may be responsible. Depending on who controlled the problem, it may be the hotel operator, the property owner or a maintenance contractor. Notice still matters: had the leak been reported before, or did staff leave the floor wet? A spill the guest caused is treated differently from a hazard the hotel created or ignored.
Visiting from out of town? Many hotel guests fly home before the claim is sorted out. Our guide for visitors hurt while in Las Vegas is written for crash injuries, but much of its advice about records and follow-up from home applies to falls too.
Falls at Harry Reid International Airport and Other Public Property
Harry Reid International Airport is owned by Clark County and operated by the Clark County Department of Aviation. So a fall in a terminal, garage or walkway there may lead to a claim against a public body, and claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. The same applies to falls on public sidewalks, in public parks and in government buildings.
Not every airport fall points to the county. If a shop, restaurant or other tenant spilled something or left a hazard in its space, it may also be involved.
What to do. Report the fall to airport staff or the business where it happened, photograph the spot and your injuries, and get the report number before you leave. If you have a flight to catch, at least get names and photos.
Because claims against public bodies have their own steps, see the filing deadline section below and reach out early.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Nevada law allows slip and fall victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to claim:
Medical expenses including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic care, prescription medications, and future medical costs if your injuries require ongoing treatment.
Lost wages for time missed from work due to your injuries, as well as future lost earning capacity if your injuries result in a long-term or permanent disability.
Pain and suffering for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries.
Property damage for personal items damaged in the fall, such as a phone, glasses, or other belongings.
What a claim is worth depends on your injuries, your treatment, how fault is divided and the insurance coverage available. Our guide to personal injury damages in Nevada explains each category.
The Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims in Nevada
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation in court regardless of how strong your case is. Our statute of limitations guide covers the exceptions.
Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law.
Do not wait to consult with an attorney.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
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Schedule Your Free ConsultationNo attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Call (702) 518-8584
Slip and fall cases are more complex than they appear. Property owners and their insurers will investigate the accident from their own perspective, gather evidence that supports their defense, and look for any reason to deny or minimize your claim.
As your personal injury attorneys, we investigate the scene and gather available evidence, ask for surveillance footage before it is recorded over, and identify everyone who may be responsible, including property owners, management companies and maintenance contractors. We estimate what your claim is worth under Nevada law, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity, handle communication with insurance companies, and file suit when a fair settlement isn't offered.
At The Sookiassian Firm, we handle slip and fall cases serving Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and the rest of Clark County. For a fall in Summerlin, see our Summerlin slip and fall lawyer page. We work on a contingency fee basis.
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Claims
How do I prove a property owner knew about the dangerous condition?
Proof of notice can come from several sources: prior complaints or incident reports about the same hazard, surveillance footage showing how long the condition existed before your fall, maintenance logs, employee testimony, or evidence that the property owner created the hazard themselves. This is one of the most important elements of a slip and fall case, and a good reason to ask for records and video early.
Can I sue a casino for a slip and fall in Las Vegas?
Yes. A casino must use reasonable care to keep its property safe for guests. If a casino's negligent maintenance or failure to address a hazard caused your fall, you may have a valid premises liability claim. Getting the incident report number and asking for video early helps.
What if there was a "wet floor" sign near where I fell?
The presence of a warning sign does not automatically bar your claim. A sign is one of the facts used to decide whether the owner acted reasonably and how fault is shared. It may count for less if the sign was not clearly visible, was placed after the fact, or if the hazard was so extensive that a single sign was inadequate. The specific facts of your case determine how a warning sign affects your claim.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Nevada?
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
How much is my slip and fall case worth?
It depends on:
- how serious your injuries are and the treatment you need;
- your medical expenses and lost wages;
- how fault is shared between you and the property owner;
- the insurance coverage available.
The compensation section above lists each type of loss. Call us at (702) 518-8584 for a free evaluation of your specific case.
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Can I sue if I fell in my hotel bathroom?
Possibly. The question is whether the hotel knew, or should have known, about the hazard, such as a leak or a missing mat, and didn't fix it or warn you. A spill you caused yourself is different. Report the fall to the front desk and take photos before the room is cleaned.
Can I sue the airport?
Possibly. Harry Reid International Airport is owned by Clark County and operated by the Clark County Department of Aviation, so a claim may be against a public body. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. A shop or restaurant tenant may also be responsible. Report the fall to staff and get the report number.
Related Articles & Practice Areas
- Slip and Fall Lawyer Las Vegas
- Summerlin Slip and Fall Lawyer
- Nevada Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury
- Comparative Negligence in Nevada (NRS 41.141)
- Personal Injury Damages in Nevada
- Personal Injury Representation
- Dog Bite Lawyer Las Vegas
- Wrongful Death Lawyer Las Vegas
- Pedestrian Accident Laws in Las Vegas
Injured in a Slip and Fall? We're Here to Help.
From our Downtown Summerlin office, we help people hurt in falls, serving Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas.
We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian).
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis.
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Jaklin Sookiassian
Jaklin Sookiassian is the founding attorney of The Sookiassian Firm, Ltd., a Las Vegas personal injury and business law practice. She is admitted to the Nevada and New York bars and spent 2 years at Fried Frank, an AmLaw 100 firm in New York, where she practiced corporate finance. Learn more about Jaklin.