Las Vegas Slip and Fall Lawyer

Nevada Slip and Fall and Premises Liability Law

The two-year deadline

You have two years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Miss it and the claim is gone regardless of how clear the owner’s fault was.

Being partly at fault does not end your claim

Under NRS 41.141, you can still recover as long as your share of the blame is not greater than the property owner’s, with your award reduced by your percentage. A store will almost always argue you weren’t watching where you were going. That argument lowers a claim. It rarely ends one.

“You should have seen it” is not the defense owners think it is

For years, Nevada owners escaped these cases by arguing the hazard was open and obvious, so they owed no duty. That changed with Foster v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (128 Nev. Adv. Op. 71, 2012), where the Nevada Supreme Court held that the open and obvious nature of a hazard does not automatically relieve an owner of the duty of reasonable care.

It becomes one factor for a jury, not an automatic win for the defense. This matters in Las Vegas, where stores and casinos are built with displays and lighting meant to pull your attention toward the merchandise and away from the floor.

Falls in Casinos and Hotels

A large share of the falls we see happen inside casinos, hotels, and resorts, and those cases work differently from a fall at a corner store. The property is covered by surveillance from nearly every angle, which cuts both ways: the footage that proves how long a spill sat on the floor is the same footage a large security and legal team will try to control from the moment you report the fall. That video can be overwritten in days.

That is why the first hours matter. Report the fall to security and get an incident report number before you leave. The sooner a demand goes out to preserve the surveillance footage and the housekeeping and inspection logs, the harder it is for the property to claim the evidence no longer exists.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents often result from unsafe property conditions. Common hazards include wet or slippery floors, uneven walkways, loose carpeting, broken stairs, and poor lighting.

Other accidents occur due to spilled liquids, debris left in walkways, or recently cleaned floors without warning signs. Outdoor falls may involve cracked sidewalks or poorly maintained parking lots.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

The steps you take after a slip and fall matter. First, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away.

Next, report the accident to the property owner or manager and request an incident report. If possible, take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Collect contact information from witnesses.

Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with a lawyer. Talk to a lawyer before you give that statement.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries. Victims often suffer broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage.

Older adults are especially vulnerable to hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Many victims also experience chronic pain and reduced mobility after a fall.

Proving the Owner Knew About the Hazard

Most slip and fall cases are won or lost on notice: did the owner know, or should they have known, about the danger in time to fix it? A puddle that formed thirty seconds before you fell is a hard case. A puddle that sat in a walkway for two hours, that shows up on camera, that staff walked past, is a strong one.

Proving it means moving fast on the evidence that shows how long the hazard existed: surveillance footage, cleaning and inspection logs, prior complaints about the same spot, and employee accounts. Owners are not required to keep this forever, and some of it disappears quickly, which is the main reason not to wait.

Dealing With the Property’s Insurer

Once you report the fall, the property owner’s insurer takes over, and their job is to pay as little as possible. They will pull the surveillance, review your medical records, and look for any gap or inconsistency they can use to argue the fall wasn’t their client’s fault or wasn’t as serious as you say. We handle that side so you are not negotiating against a trained adjuster while you’re still healing.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

Many slip and fall cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means clients usually do not pay upfront legal fees. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of the compensation recovered through a settlement or court award. If no recovery is obtained, attorney fees are typically not owed.

During the case, certain expenses may arise while gathering evidence, such as obtaining medical records or reviewing accident reports. These costs are often addressed when the claim is resolved.

Because slip and fall claims often involve negotiations with insurance companies and proof of negligence, many injured individuals choose legal representation to help pursue fair compensation.