Holiday Accident Claims In Las Vegas – How much compensation can i claim for a personal injury?
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Holiday accident claims Las Vegas
Las Vegas has been a popular destination for UK tourists for years with many enjoying its casinos, nightlife, sporting events and fine dining in superior and lavish hotels. While most trips go well and have no problems some, because of somebody else’s mistake or negligence, end up being ruined by accidents, illnesses and personal injuries.
Legal Expert have a UK-based team of personal injury solicitors who can help make claims for accidents that have happened on your holiday in Las Vegas. If you’re already sure you want to make a claim then call us now on 0800 073 8804 or if you want to know more then carry on reading this guide.
Select A Section
- A guide to holiday accident claims in Las Vegas, Nevada
- I was injured in Las Vegas, what should I do?
- Las Vegas emergency service contacts
- Health care costs in Las Vegas for tourists
- How long do I have to make a personal injury claim in Las Vegas?
- Las Vegas package holiday compensation claims
- Different types of holiday accidents and injuries in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas hotel and casino accident claims
- Claims for food poisoning in Las Vegas
- Injuries caused by slips and falls in Las Vegas
- Casino and entertainment facility accidents and injuries
- Road traffic accidents and car crash claims in Las Vegas
- Am I limited to using a lawyer in Las Vegas?
- No win no fee Las Vegas holiday accident claims
- How to start a Las Vegas holiday accident claim
- Useful Links
A guide to holiday accident claims in Las Vegas, Nevada
British tourists are one of the largest groups of tourists to visit Las Vegas with around 400,000 visiting the strip and surrounding areas each year. There are some massive hotels, casinos, theatres and world class sporting events which pull the crowds in to Vegas every year.
Most holidays to Las Vegas pass without incident but this guide about holiday accident claims in Las Vegas provides information about what you should do in the event of an accident, how to get treatment (as there is no NHS or equivalent in America) and how to file a compensation claim when you return to the UK.
The types of claims Legal Expert can help with include accidents in hotels, accidents in casinos, food poisoning in restaurants, a car accident in Las Vegas and slips, trips and falls. To be eligible for a claim it needs to be demonstrated that your accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence which could be a deliberate act or could be down to a lack of staff training or insufficient safety equipment.
This guide will also show you how to gather all of the evidence you require to make a claim easier and how Legal Expert can work on your behalf using our no win, no fee service.
I was injured in Las Vegas, what should I do?
There are a number of things you should do when involved in an accident in Las Vegas. First and foremost, you should think of your health and seek immediate medical treatment if it is needed following your accident. One main consideration with this is that there is no free healthcare in the USA, so you should make sure you have sufficient travel insurance to cover any treatment you may need prior to flying out to Las Vegas.
When you need treatment, you should contact your insurer as soon as possible. Keep your insurance documents, and their emergency contact number with you at all times as they may require you to attend specific hospitals or treatment centres. If you are asked to pay any money in the hospital for your treatment call your insurer and only pay if they say so, providing evidence of insurance should usually be enough. Our guide to making holiday accident claims covers this in more detail or if you’ve booked as part of a package holiday then we’ve got an article that covers those claims too.
Once you’ve dealt with your treatment then there are a number of steps you can take to help make your Las Vegas holiday illness claim (or accident claim) much easier.
The main thing that you need to do is gather evidence to support your claim and also prove that the accident was somebody else’s fault. In some cases, this is an easy thing to prove, in others it’s not so easy and if you’re not sure then call one of our personal injury lawyers who’ll be able to provide advice for you.
The steps you should take to gather evidence of your accident are:
- Ask any witnesses for their contact details and if possible, ask them to write or email you a witness statement of what they saw while it’s still fresh in their mind. If they have any photographic evidence or video which shows the accident happening, ask if they would provide you with a copy.
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident yourself trying to capture the cause of the accident if possible. For instance, if you slipped on a wet floor then try to show that the floor is wet and that there were no warning signs (if that were the case in your accident).
- If you were involved in a road traffic accident in Las Vegas then you should try and get the other drivers details including contact number, address and email address, the number plate of the vehicle and details of their insurer too. Again, try to photograph the scene of the collision so that it clearly shows the position of the cars following the accident and the road layout.
- You should contact your tour operator at this point as well to inform them that you’ve been injured. Don’t always trust what they tell you regarding health care as your insurer may have different options that your cover includes. Legal Expert can contact your tour operator when you’ve returned to ask for their accident log to use as further evidence of the accident.
In extreme cases, if for instance you’ve been attacked, or somebody has died in your accident then you can contact the British Consulate General in Los Angeles who will be able to assist you. Also, the police may need to be called to serious accidents as a criminal investigation may be required. If in doubt call the emergency services (details below) and they will advise if they need to attend the scene of the accident or not.
Las Vegas emergency service contacts
If you’re involved in a serious incident and need urgent help then emergency services can be contacted by dialling 911 from a payphone, mobile or landline. If you need to dial the police in a non-emergency, then you can dial 311.
As the strip in Las Vegas is so reliant on tourists the police are very keen to resolve all issues quickly and so you shouldn’t have to wait too long for support. The ambulance and fire service are both covered by the same 911 number as the police.
Health care costs in Las Vegas for tourists
As mentioned previously in this guide there is no National Health Service or equivalent service in America which means that if you become ill on holiday while abroad in Las Vegas then you’ll either have to pay for medical care yourself or have comprehensive insurance.
We recommend that you take out insurance before you leave the UK to cover the duration of your trip as medical bills in Las Vegas can be huge. In the event that you need medical care it will be much cheaper to have paid the travel insurance premium than having to pay for it out of your own pocket.
Ambulances can also cost money on top of the medical care so it’s worth getting in touch with the insurance company as soon as you’re able to in case they offer their own ambulance service.
When you’re treated remember to have your insurance documents with you to show the hospital staff and, once again, check with your insurer in case they want you to go to a specific hospital.
How long do I have to make a personal injury claim in Las Vegas?
It is common in most countries to have a limited amount of time to file personal injury claims following any accident. Holiday accident claims in Las Vegas are no different and if you fail to comply with the time limits then you’ll find that your claim will be rejected straight away.
Our table below shows what timeframes you have to file personal injury claims in Las Vegas:
Type of Claim | Time Limit |
---|---|
General personal injury claim when booked through a UK package holiday provider | 3 Years |
Nevada state personal injury claim (non package holiday) ( check this information with a Las Vegas Lawyer to confirm ) | 2 Years |
Nevada state property damage claim (non package holiday) ( check this information with a Las Vegas Lawyer to confirm ) | 3 Years |
The statute of limitations for Nevada state defines the timescales in Las Vegas but it can still be confusing. If you’re unsure if you’re eligible to make a claim then please contact our team today so that we can assess your claim and check it fits into the time limits.
Las Vegas package holiday compensation claims
If you’ve booked your holiday through a package holiday provider (like Virgin Holidays, TUI, Thomas Cook, Lastminute etc) then they offer further protection by way of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Our guide to package holiday claims, mentioned earlier, explains this further but essentially if you are involved in an accident or become ill you should let your package holiday provider know ASAP.
If you’re unsure if your holiday in Las Vegas was booked as a package holiday then, in general, you have a package holiday if you bought more than one element of your holiday from the travel agent or tour operator i.e. if you paid for your flights and hotel in one payment or your hotel and excursions.
Your package holiday provider should provide you with an emergency contact number, which may or may not be based in Las Vegas, that you can contact for advice if you are involved in an accident in Las Vegas.
Different types of holiday accidents and injuries in Las Vegas
There are a number of different types of accidents and illnesses that occur in Las Vegas and this next few sections will cover each of these and offer advice on what to do in each case. Legal Expert can help with any of these and also any type of personal injury that isn’t listed as well – just give us a call to discuss your specific accident. The common types of accident we’ll cover next are: Accidents in casinos and entertainment venues, hotel accidents in Las Vegas, Food poisoning claims, slips, trips and falls and finally road traffic accidents in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas hotel and casino accident claims
Accidents can occur in just about any of the hotels in Las Vegas from the budget, small-roomed hotels, to the lavish, 5-starred hotels right in the middle of the strip. When staying in a hotel that also has a casino then personal injury claims can include accidents in the casino part of the hotel as well. The types of accidents and illnesses that can occur include:
- Slips, trips or fall caused by any of the following: poorly lit areas of the hotel, wet floors without warning signs, luggage or cleaning materials cluttering corridors and also from damaged flooring.
- Swimming pools causing stomach illnesses because of improper cleaning.
- Food poisoning in hotel restaurants: We cover food poisoning more in the next section but in a hotel with a casino this can include food that is bought to you while playing in the casino, it doesn’t have to be a sit down restaurant meal.
All hotels have a duty to protect its customers from becoming injured or ill by following strict health and safety guidelines. If any of these guidelines is ignored, then you may be able to claim compensation because either the staff or the hotel management have been negligent and disregarded their duty towards your safety.
Claims for food poisoning in Las Vegas
Food poisoning can ruin a holiday in Las Vegas and can lead to delays in returning to the UK. In mild cases you’ll have an upset stomach for a couple of days but in severe cases there is a chance of life-threatening illness.
Food poisoning is caused by contamination to food which can be caused by poor storage, preparation or cooking practices. If you become ill and need medical treatment, then contact your travel insurance provider for details of where to go in the first instance. If the medical professional confirms that you have been made ill by food poisoning then you could claim compensation from the restaurant, café, bar or casino that you were contaminated in. If you incur additional travel costs because of your food poisoning, then you could claim back those costs as well.
Injuries caused by slips and falls in Las Vegas
Possibly the most common type of Las Vegas holiday accident claim is for a trip, slip or fall as it can happen at just about any point in your holiday. You can’t claim if you simply tripped over but if there was a reason for your trip and if it could’ve been avoided if somebody had done something differently then you can make a claim for compensation.
As an example, if you’re in a shop and staff have left items of clothing lying on the floor and you step on it and subsequently fall then you could make a claim as the staff should’ve kept the shop floor clear. It may not have been their intention to injure you but because they didn’t tidy the stock away promptly they could be deemed liable for the accident.
In cases like these you should try and photograph the scene for evidence of how your accident occurred. Legal Expert may try and obtain CCTV footage to further back up your claim.
Casino and entertainment facility accidents and injuries
One of the big draws to Las Vegas is the casinos, there are dedicated casinos and casinos within hotels but whichever one you visit, they have a duty of care to protect their players from being injured while using their facilities. This duty of care includes people who are on the premises but not playing the casino as well.
Types of accidents that can occur in casinos include slipping or falling over something because the area was poorly lit, food poisoning in the casino restaurant (or snacks bought to you while playing on slot machines or casino tables) or even violence from other players as the security staff should be there to protect you.
If you’ve been injured while using a casino in Las Vegas then try to photograph the scene and gather witness statements and then, when you return to the UK, get in touch with Legal Expert and we’ll advise how to proceed with your claim.
Road traffic accidents and car crash claims in Las Vegas
If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Las Vegas, then the law is pretty much the same as in the UK. If a criminal act has been committed (drink driving, no insurance, dangerous driving) then police should be contacted on 911.
You should inform your tour operator, travel insurance company and car hire company of the accident and seek treatment where needed. Other than that, the advice here is to gather as much evidence as possible of the accident including photographs, dashcam footage and witness statements.
As well as evidence ask the other driver for their insurance details and contact details including telephone number, address and email address. Make a note of their number plate (and try to include it in any photographs) in case they provide you with false personal information.
When you return to the UK get in touch with Legal Expert (our details are at the end of this guide) and we’ll advise you on how to proceed and claim for compensation for your injuries and any financial losses.
Am I limited to using a lawyer in Las Vegas?
People often think that they have to use a solicitor in the country where their accident happened, but this is just a common misconception and there is no need for it at all. We have a team of UK based solicitors who can help with any Las Vegas accident claim and our clients find this easier than trying to communicate with an American solicitor, especially with the 7 hour time difference between the UK and Las Vegas.
We can help with any claim and our specialists understand the different processes and procedures when filing a Las Vegas holiday compensation claim on your behalf.
Legal Expert can help with your claim, and as the next section explains, if we are unsuccessful then you don’t have to pay anything for our service, making us a completely risk free personal injury solicitor.
No win no fee Las Vegas holiday accident claims
Now that you’ve read out Las Vegas holiday compensation guide you may be wondering how much a personal injury solicitor will charge to process your claim for you.
Unlike solicitors who charge by the hour (whether they win or lose your case), Legal Expert offer a completely no win, no fee conditional fee agreement which, in basic terms, means if we don’t get you any compensation then you don’t have to pay anything.
The conditional fee agreement means that when we discuss your case with you in a free consultation, if we decide to take your case on, then we’ll tell you up front what the fee will be if we are successful. This won’t change and so you know right from the start how much we’ll charge and there will be no surprises at the end of the case.
It is our experience that the majority of cases don’t make it to court. As soon as we receive an offer of compensation for you then we let you know and advise if we think it is fair or not. If not then we’ll re-negotiate with the other parties insurer until either an offer is acceptable or a court date has to be scheduled.
Our no win no fee service is available for all cases that we take on.
Biggest Hotels in Las Vegas
Here is a list of the biggest hotels in Las Vegas:
- MGM Grand Hotel and Casino – 5690 rooms
- Luxor Hotel and Casino – 4408 rooms
- The Hotel at Madalay Bay – 4341 rooms
- The Venetian – 4027 rooms
- Excalibur Hotel and Casino – 3981 rooms
- Bellagio – 3933 rooms
Popular Tourist Attractions in Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon Helicopter tours
- The Strip – a 2.5 mile strip of hotels, casinos, theatres and restaurants
- The Venetian hotel and Gondola rides
- Paris hotel and Eiffel Tower
- The erupting volcano and secret garden at the Mirage hotel
- Huge High roller Ferris wheel (takes 30 minutes to do one rotation)
- The Mob Museum
- The Neon Museum
- Stratosphere Tower
- Madam Tussaud’s
How to start a Las Vegas holiday accident claim
Now that you’ve read this guide to holiday accident claims in Las Vegas and you understand that we operate on a no win no fee basis for all cases we take on, we hope you’re ready to contact Legal Expert and use us to process your personal injury claim on your behalf. If so, you can get in touch in any of the following ways:
- Call us for free on 0800 073 8804
- Email us on info@legalexpert.co.uk
- Use our online claims form, it’s easy and will take less than 5 minutes
- Use the live chat facility on our website, available 7 days a week
Useful links
British Consulate General – Los Angeles
2029 Century Park East,
Suite 1350
Lost Angeles
CA 90067
USA
Tel: +1 310 789 0031
Web: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-los-angeles
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Health
Holiday claims guide – Legal Expert guide to claiming compensation if you’re on a holiday abroad.
Government guide to healthcare in the US – If you’re travelling to the USA this foreign travel guide from the government provides sound advice.
NHS Guide to travelling in the US – More useful advice for travellers to the US from the NHS.
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