Accidents happen, and often when they are least expected. Becoming a victim of a slip and fall when you were planning to have a nice night out on the town can be devastating. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a Nevada bar or nightclub accident, you may want to know how to recover compensation for physical and financial harm suffered. Below is some information about seeking compensation for your losses after a Nevada slip and fall.
Can I Recover Compensation?
If you are hurt in a Nevada bar due to a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from the owner or operator if they (or their employees) acted negligently. Businesses owe a legal duty to patrons to keep them safe and the premises clear of hazards. There are many ways in which a Nevada bar slip and fall accident can result in legal and financial responsibility for the owner or operator. Some examples include:
- Overcrowding: A bar or nightclub should only have a reasonable-sized crowd in the establishment at all times. If the facility is beyond its capacity, the owner and operator can be held liable for any harm suffered as a result.
- Improper maintenance: Part of owning an enterprise is to take active steps to keep customers safe on the premises. Bar and nightclub owners and employees must regularly inspect the property—inside and outside—to keep the location hazard-free.
- Poor lighting: While low lighting may create a nice ambiance, bar and nightclub owners must make sure the dim light does not result in a trip and fall accident.
- Inadequate security: Running a nightclub or bar requires security, including proper safety personnel, to protect customers from danger. Failure to provide adequate security can result in an accident and liability.
- Warning patrons of hazards: When a bar or nightclub owner or operator is aware of a hazard on the premises, customers must be warned. Too often, however, business owners do not do this right away, resulting in a risk of an accident and legal responsibility.
Seeking Compensation
When someone is harmed in a Nevada trip and fall accident, the injured victim is often awarded monetary compensation for harm suffered. This award, referred to as compensatory damages, is intended to compensate the person for physical and financial harm suffered because of the accident. There are two categories of compensatory damages — economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are payable for any type of financial loss that an injured victim suffered, such as medical costs, lost past and future wages, and other expenses. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to provide monetary compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering because of the accident. This may include payment for emotional harm such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and any other emotional harm.
Nevada is a “comparative fault” state, meaning that a victim’s monetary award will be adjusted based on the percentage of blame he or she had for the accident. As long as the victim is 50% or less to blame, he or she can receive a monetary award.
Learn About Your Rights
Getting hurt when you were supposed to have a nice night out on the town can be devastating. With a skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorney on your side, you can confidently pursue the monetary compensation you deserve. Call (702) 598-4529 today to schedule a case evaluation with our attorneys at H&P Law.
