How Should You Handle a Slip-and-Fall Claim?
Accidents happen frequently across Las Vegas, and more than a few make news headlines. In April 2025, for instance, a jury awarded $15 million to a California woman who suffered extensive injuries after slipping on a wet floor at The Cosmopolitan. Slip and fall accidents are common along the Strip due to the massive influx of visitors; they also make news headlines in other districts. In 2016, jurors selected for a personal injury claim against the Spring Valley Lowe’s awarded $16.1 million to a plaintiff who fell on a spillage spot at the garden center.
The court cases mentioned above are examples of fair and successful slip and fall injury claims in Las Vegas. Both highlight how a personal injury lawyer for slip and fall victims can make a significant difference in how these cases are handled. An essential aspect of personal injury law involves avoiding errors that can derail the case. With this in mind, let’s review five common mistakes accident victims make, and how you can avoid them:
Failure to Retain Legal Counsel
This is the most common mistake, which is crucial to avoid. If you try to handle the process without legal representation, you’ll find many challenges from the property owner, insurance company, and legal teams assigned to the case.
Waiting Too Long
Every day that passes after the accident will put your claim at risk. Depending on how long you wait, you could miss the statute of limitations, which is the deadline for filing claims; plus, you risk losing evidence that should have been collected earlier.
Getting Railroaded by the Insurance Company
When an insurance company calls after an accident, remember that they are not on your side. You should safely assume that paying you as little as possible is in their best interest. In some cases, insurance underwriters will try to make your claim disappear over technicalities.
Poor Recordkeeping
Building a strong personal injury claim requires strong evidence collection and analysis. You should strive to keep photos, videos, medical records, bills, receipts, reports, correspondence, and a call log.
Rushing to Accept Settlements
Insurance companies are masters of lowballing settlement offers. Their initial offers are almost always less than what you deserve. Without legal representation, you likely won’t know the full value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost wages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents
What is considered a slip and fall accident?
If a person slips, trips, or falls on another person’s property and is injured as a result of a hazardous condition, it can be pursued as a claim. These accidents are in the purview of a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer.
What is an example of a slip and fall claim?
Beyond the cases at Lowe’s and The Cosmopolitan mentioned above, relatives of a man who fatally fell while taking a shower at his Harrah’s hotel room in Laughlin filed a lawsuit in March 2025. The accident happened in March 2023, and the man was treated for a severe spinal cord injury at Sunrise Hospital. He died a month later, and the claim centers on the hotel management failing to maintain the premises.
Are slip and fall cases hard to win?
The challenges in these cases include navigating the claims process, gathering relevant evidence, and ultimately proving the property owner’s fault or negligence. Common defenses include claiming the hazard was “open and obvious,” or that the victim was at fault. A skilled slip and fall attorney in Las Vegas can help you pursue the most favorable outcome.
What is the slip and fall law in Nevada?
Chapter 41 of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides the general liability for negligence and wrongful acts. More specifically, the chapter refers to hazardous conditions that the property owner should have prevented.