What Can I Do if I’m Injured in a Casino?
Did you know that Mississippi is home to one of the world’s largest collections of casinos? A few notable examples are the Treasure Bay Casino, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and the Palace Casino Resort. If you’re enjoying your time gambling, dining, or catching a show in one of the Gulf Coast’s many casinos, you have the right to expect that you will be free from harm while on the premises. But what if something goes wrong?
The saying that “the house always wins” shouldn’t pertain when you’ve been injured at a casino through no fault of your own. If something unexpected takes place and you suffer an injury, you have the right to make a claim for damages. Unfortunately, the chances of being offered a fair settlement upfront are slim.
Common Types of Accidents That Occur in Casinos
Casinos are busy places, but there are only a few common types of accidents that cause injury to visitors. The first is slip and fall accidents. These occur so frequently simply because there is so much activity taking place on the premises and so many ways for things to go wrong. As a guest, you might slip, trip, and fall on a wet floor, a torn piece of carpet, or a carelessly left out display. Drinking and drug use is also prevalent in a casino atmosphere, which can lead to aggressive and violent acts. Some innocent bystanders could be injured in physical attacks or other criminal conduct.
If you are injured and wish to sue the casino, you must be able to prove negligence. Some of the elements that you’ll need to show in your case are:
- The casino owes its guests a duty to provide a secure and safe premise;
- Management or the casino’s owners failed in their duty;
- The lack of a secure or safe premise created a dangerous condition that caused your injuries; and,
- You suffered losses as a result.
What to Do If You are Injured in a Casino
The steps you take just after an injury on the casino’s premises could affect the outcome of your case. If you want to increase the chances of receiving full and fair compensation for your losses, you should take care to do the following:
- Seek medical attention. If you’ve been seriously hurt, don’t be afraid to ask the hotel staff to call 911. Otherwise, make your way to an urgent care center or physician’s office as soon as possible. Seeking medical care is not only essential to document your injuries, but some internal injuries or strains may not be immediately evident. You might need tests to establish a diagnosis.
- Document everything. Even if you seek medical treatment, independently document your injuries with photographs or video. You can also take pictures of the accident scene and ask the casino to write up an accident report.
- Preserve the evidence. Your case will be stronger if you are able to prove what happened later through evidence and testimony. If there were witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their names and contact information. If a casino employee or other person makes a statement, ask them if you can record their recollections on your phone.
- Avoid giving statements. While you want to have as much evidence as possible to back up your claim, you should also avoid giving statements that could be used against you later. The casino’s management or its insurance company representatives may ask you to sign some paperwork or give a recorded interview. Avoid doing either until you seek the advice of a qualified attorney.
Speak with an Experienced Mississippi Premises Liability Attorney
Gambling may be fun as recreation, but you don’t want to roll the dice with a personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured in a Gulf Coast casino, it’s vital that you speak with a qualified Mississippi premises liability attorney as soon as possible about your case.
At Gardner Law Firm, our dedicated personal injury attorneys have helped accident victims and their families across the Gulf Coast for more than 35 years. We will take immediate steps to protect your rights, investigate your case and preserve evidence, and fight for the highest level of compensation possible from the at-fault parties. Contact us now at (228) 436-6555 or online to schedule your free consultation.
