Inside the Las Vegas Slip and Fall Trial That Held a Casino Accountable

A Las Vegas jury recently awarded $15 million to a woman injured in a 2021 slip and fall accident at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a landmark verdict that has drawn national attention. This high-profile case shines a spotlight on the dangers of poorly maintained casino floors and the legal rights of injury victims under Nevada premises liability law. For residents and visitors alike, the outcome of this Las Vegas slip and fall trial sends a clear message to property owners: safety cannot be ignored.

The accident happened on casino property, a setting that should be reasonably safe for all guests. Instead, it led to years of medical treatment, emotional distress, and a legal battle that culminated in a life-changing jury award on April 7, 2025. The full trial video and case breakdown, as reported by Courtroom View Network, offers rare insight into how juries respond to negligence inside major Las Vegas resorts.

Ed Bernstein helps injury victims across Nevada fight back when careless businesses put profits over safety. If you or someone you love was hurt in a slip and fall accident at a casino, hotel, or other commercial property, now is the time to speak with a lawyer. Call (702) 623-4518 or visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation with our Las Vegas slip and fall attorneys.

What Happened in the Las Vegas Slip and Fall Accident at The Cosmopolitan

In 2021, a woman visiting The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas suffered a devastating fall on a slick, unmarked marble floor near one of the resort’s upscale restaurants. What began as a routine visit to one of the Strip’s premier casino-hotels turned into a life-changing injury that ultimately resulted in years of medical treatment and a multi-million-dollar lawsuit. The circumstances of the fall and the evidence presented during the trial raised serious questions about property safety protocols inside Las Vegas resorts.

The Slip Occurred on a Recently Mopped Marble Floor

The fall happened in a high-traffic hallway where casino staff had recently cleaned the floors. Despite the slippery conditions, no wet floor signs were visible in the area. According to trial footage presented by Courtroom View Network, video surveillance captured the moment of impact and confirmed that the injured woman slipped and landed violently on her tailbone and head. The footage became a critical piece of evidence for the plaintiff’s legal team.

No Warning Signs and Poor Lighting Amplified the Danger

Attorneys pointed to the absence of caution signage and the poor lighting in the corridor as direct violations of basic premises liability standards. Under Nevada law, commercial property owners are required to maintain reasonably safe conditions for guests and warn them of known hazards. Resources from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission emphasize the importance of visible warnings when slip risks are present on hard surfaces like polished stone or tile.

Injuries Included Spinal Fractures and Long-Term Nerve Damage

The fall resulted in severe injuries, including multiple lumbar fractures and permanent nerve damage that left the victim with chronic pain and reduced mobility. Expert witnesses testified that she would need lifelong medical care, including spinal injections and physical therapy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that falls are among the top causes of traumatic injuries in the United States, especially for adults over 40, making casino environments especially risky when proper safety protocols are not followed.

The Casino Denied Responsibility Until Trial

Despite the clear injuries and video evidence, The Cosmopolitan and its legal team refused to settle. Defense attorneys argued that the woman was wearing high heels and could have avoided the fall. However, the jury found this argument unconvincing and instead sided with the plaintiff after hearing days of expert testimony, medical evidence, and employee depositions revealing gaps in safety practices. Ultimately, the jury awarded her $15 million in damages.

How Premises Liability Law Applies to Las Vegas Casino Injury Cases

The recent Las Vegas slip and fall trial demonstrated the power of Nevada’s premises liability laws to hold commercial property owners accountable. When a guest is injured because a business fails to maintain safe conditions, the law provides a pathway for victims to pursue justice and compensation. In this case, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was found liable for serious injuries that resulted from wet, unmarked marble flooring a hazard that should have been prevented.

Nevada’s legal framework for premises liability is designed to protect visitors from unsafe conditions on another person’s property. Whether the location is a casino, hotel, shopping mall, or parking garage, property owners owe a legal duty of care to those who enter their premises lawfully. If they breach this duty and someone is injured as a result, they may be held financially responsible under civil law.

Understanding the Duty of Care Owed by Las Vegas Resorts

Resorts in Las Vegas attract millions of visitors each year, and they are legally obligated to maintain reasonably safe premises. This duty includes routine inspections, timely cleanup of spills, clear warnings of hazards, and adequate lighting throughout the property. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 41, failure to perform these basic responsibilities may constitute negligence if someone is injured as a result.

The injured woman in the Las Vegas trial slipped on a floor that was recently mopped but lacked any warning signs. Video footage showed that staff members failed to take even the most basic precaution of placing signage in a high-traffic area. As emphasized by the National Safety Council, businesses must implement visible signage and proper cleaning protocols to prevent fall-related injuries.

Why Casinos Face Heightened Premises Liability Exposure

Casinos are not like typical retail stores or restaurants. They are sprawling, high-volume entertainment complexes where people move frequently from gaming areas to restaurants, lounges, and hotel towers. This unique environment creates countless slip and fall risks, including polished stone floors, spills from drinks, dim lighting, and crowded corridors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies slippery surfaces and inadequate lighting as two of the most common causes of fall injuries nationwide.

Las Vegas resorts must account for these risks through comprehensive safety planning. That includes regular walkthroughs by staff, maintenance protocols, security cameras to monitor hazards, and emergency response training. Failure to implement such systems is not just careless; it may be considered a breach of the standard of care required under Nevada law.

Examples of Common Hazards in Casino Properties

Casino-related slip and fall incidents can stem from a wide variety of overlooked dangers. These include freshly waxed marble flooring near restaurants, condensation from air vents dripping onto tile floors, and drink spills near slot machines that go unattended for hours. The Consumer Product Safety Commission emphasizes that hard surfaces like polished marble or ceramic tile are among the most dangerous when wet, especially without proper signage.

Even simple oversights, such as loose carpeting or uneven tile transitions, can lead to devastating falls. The Cosmopolitan case showed how dangerous these details can be when they are ignored and how juries respond when casinos fail to protect their guests.

Las Vegas Casino Floor Materials Can Create Fall Hazards

Many Las Vegas casinos use high-end building materials like marble, travertine, and granite for aesthetic appeal. While these materials are visually impressive, they also create slip hazards when wet or inadequately maintained. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health stresses the importance of surface traction in preventing falls. Even a single drop of water on these surfaces can lead to a dangerous situation if no warning is provided to guests.

In the 2021 Cosmopolitan incident, the plaintiff’s legal team showed how the resort’s design choices, coupled with poor maintenance and insufficient lighting, contributed to the conditions that caused the fall.

Proving Negligence in a Nevada Slip and Fall Claim

To prevail in a premises liability claim in Nevada, the injured party must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to take reasonable action to prevent harm. This legal concept is rooted in decades of case law and is supported by the guidelines outlined by the American Bar Association, which describe the four key elements of a premises liability claim: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

In the Las Vegas trial, attorneys successfully demonstrated all four elements. They showed that The Cosmopolitan had a duty to provide a safe environment, breached that duty by failing to post warning signs, caused injury due to that breach, and was responsible for the extensive medical and emotional harm suffered by the plaintiff.

Surveillance Footage Can Make or Break a Casino Injury Case

Video evidence is often the most persuasive tool in proving negligence in slip and fall cases. Most casinos are equipped with advanced surveillance systems that cover nearly every corner of their gaming floors and public areas. In this case, footage from The Cosmopolitan’s own cameras revealed the moment the plaintiff fell and showed that no caution signs were present. According to the National Retail Federation, surveillance footage is one of the most frequently used forms of evidence in premises liability claims.

When properly preserved and subpoenaed during litigation, video evidence can demonstrate the timing of events, confirm lighting conditions, and show whether staff responded appropriately to known hazards. For injury victims, this type of proof is often the difference between a denied insurance claim and a favorable jury verdict.

Employee Testimony and Maintenance Logs Are Also Crucial

In addition to video footage, plaintiff attorneys frequently rely on witness statements and property maintenance records to prove negligence. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires regular inspections and hazard documentation for commercial properties. In this case, depositions revealed that multiple staff members had walked through the area in question before the fall, yet none of them placed a sign or notified others of the danger.

Such failures reflect a breakdown in internal procedures and create the foundation for a strong legal claim. Injury victims must act quickly, however, as property owners often attempt to dispose of this evidence shortly after an accident unless a lawsuit has been filed.

Inside the $15 Million Verdict Against The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

The April 7, 2025, jury verdict in favor of a woman injured at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas sent shockwaves through the legal and hospitality industries. The jury awarded her $15 million in damages, one of the largest Nevada slip and fall awards in recent years. While verdicts of this magnitude are rare, the case stands as a powerful reminder that when large resorts fail to protect their guests, they can be held accountable in court. For casino patrons, injury victims, and legal professionals alike, the Las Vegas slip and fall trial offers a case study in civil justice.

Why the Jury Awarded $15 Million in Damages

Jurors awarded a combination of economic and non-economic damages after being presented with compelling evidence of negligence, pain and suffering, and lifelong medical hardship. According to coverage by Courtroom View Network, the plaintiff’s attorneys outlined years of chronic pain, diminished quality of life, and permanent nerve damage that could not be reversed. Expert testimony explained how her injuries would require ongoing treatment, including spinal injections, mobility aids, and home modifications.

Under Nevada law, damages in a premises liability case may include reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, and recovery for emotional suffering. The Nevada Judiciary outlines the state’s civil jury instructions, which allow juries to award compensation when a plaintiff proves a property owner’s negligence directly caused their injuries. In this case, the facts aligned in a way that strongly favored the injured guest.

Non-Economic Damages Represented a Significant Portion of the Award

Although medical expenses were a major factor in the award, jurors also placed considerable weight on the victim’s ongoing suffering and loss of mobility. The Cornell Legal Information Institute explains that non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress, are often more difficult to quantify, but can form the bulk of a jury award when justified by evidence.

The plaintiff’s attorneys used expert witnesses to convey the impact of her injuries on everyday life, including sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, and psychological trauma. Her husband testified about the changes in her personality, her reliance on medication, and the strain her injuries placed on their relationship. These real-world consequences played a pivotal role in the jury’s decision-making process.

How This Verdict Could Influence Future Casino Injury Lawsuits

This case sets a powerful precedent that could influence how future premises liability lawsuits are litigated in Nevada, particularly against large hospitality corporations. While not legally binding on other courts, the size of the award may serve as a warning to casino operators throughout the Las Vegas Strip: juries are willing to hold them financially accountable when safety lapses harm guests.

The Hospitality Law Conference has previously highlighted the growing legal exposure faced by hotels and resorts nationwide when it comes to injury claims. Las Vegas, as one of the busiest entertainment hubs in the country, is especially vulnerable. Property owners must now reckon with the possibility of eight-figure jury awards, especially when video surveillance and witness testimony support the plaintiff’s case.

Nevada Is Not Subject to a Cap on General Damages in Most Slip and Fall Cases

Unlike medical malpractice claims in Nevada, which are subject to statutory caps under NRS 41A.035, slip and fall cases are generally not limited by damage caps. This means that juries have wide discretion in determining the value of a victim’s suffering. As a result, plaintiffs with strong evidence of permanent injury may recover substantial compensation, particularly when the defendant is a large corporation with deep financial resources.

The $15 million award in this case demonstrates the scale of liability that casino owners may face when safety protocols break down. Given the lack of a general damages cap, future plaintiffs may point to this case as persuasive authority in settlement negotiations and litigation strategy.

Insurance Carriers May Adjust Their Risk Calculations

Large verdicts tend to affect not just casinos, but also their insurers. Following this case, many liability insurance carriers will likely reevaluate their risk models for Nevada hospitality properties. According to the Insurance Information Institute, general liability policies for commercial properties often include exclusions and limitations tied to the frequency and severity of claims.

When high-exposure verdicts like this occur, underwriters may increase premiums or require more stringent safety policies as part of the renewal process. For casino operators, this could mean new investment in flooring materials, signage systems, employee training, and inspection protocols, all to mitigate the legal risks associated with fall-related injuries.

The Jury’s Message to Corporate Defendants

Perhaps the most striking takeaway from the Las Vegas slip and fall trial was the jury’s willingness to punish a powerful corporate defendant. In awarding $15 million, the panel sent a clear message that corporate reputation, brand recognition, or size do not exempt a business from its duty to protect the public. The trial’s closing arguments, as reported by CVN, emphasized this theme, reminding jurors that no one is above the law, even on the Las Vegas Strip.

For injury victims across Nevada, the verdict serves as a powerful affirmation that civil courts remain a viable venue for justice. It also reinforces the principle that juries can, and will, step in when companies fail to take responsibility for dangerous conditions on their property.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Injury at a Las Vegas Casino

If you suffer a slip and fall injury inside a Las Vegas casino, what you do in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. The legal process for filing a claim may seem overwhelming, especially while managing pain, medical bills, and missed work. However, taking the right steps early on can help protect your health and strengthen your legal case under Nevada law.

Many casino injury victims feel intimidated by the idea of challenging a major hotel resort. But you are not alone. Nevada’s premises liability laws give injured guests the right to pursue damages when a casino’s negligence causes harm. Acting quickly and documenting your situation can make all the difference in the success of your claim.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Report the Incident

Your health and safety must come first. After a fall, always request medical assistance right away. Casino staff are typically trained to contact emergency responders or escort you to on-site medical personnel. Even if your injuries appear minor at first, they may become more serious over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many fall-related injuries, including fractures and head trauma, do not produce immediate symptoms but can lead to long-term complications.

Ask Casino Staff to Document the Incident

Be sure to inform security or a floor supervisor of the fall as soon as possible. Most Las Vegas casinos have protocols in place for incident reporting. Request that a report be created and ask for a copy. If you are unable to get a copy, at least write down the names of any employees you spoke with and the time the report was made. The Nevada Gaming Control Board oversees licensing for these resorts and has regulatory guidelines for guest safety and incident response.

Filing a report is a critical first step in creating a paper trail. Without documentation, the casino may later deny that the incident occurred or claim that it happened elsewhere. Your attorney can later use this report as evidence that you notified the property of the hazard in a timely and reasonable manner.

Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence

After a fall, if you are physically able, take photographs of the area where the accident happened. Capture the floor surface, any visible liquids or debris, lighting conditions, nearby signage (or lack thereof), and the general layout. These details are essential in demonstrating what caused your fall and why the area was unsafe.

If you are unable to document the scene yourself, ask a friend, family member, or nearby witness for help. The National Safety Council recommends documenting the exact conditions present at the time of any fall to support future claims.

Collect Witness Contact Information

Eyewitness accounts can be pivotal in proving negligence. If anyone saw the fall happen or observed the hazardous condition before or after, ask for their name, phone number, and a brief written or recorded statement, if possible. Courts in Nevada give significant weight to independent third-party accounts of an incident, particularly in contested liability cases.

Casino surveillance footage is also vital, but casinos are not obligated to preserve it indefinitely. Your attorney must request it quickly through a formal legal process. The Federal Trade Commission notes that video surveillance can provide irrefutable proof in personal injury disputes, especially when large corporations are involved.

Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

Shortly after the incident, you may be contacted by the casino’s insurance representatives or risk management team. These individuals may act friendly or offer a quick settlement, but their goal is to limit the casino’s financial exposure. Never give a recorded statement, sign a release, or accept any payment until you have spoken with a qualified attorney.

Insurance companies are trained to use your words against you. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, claims adjusters often minimize injuries or try to shift blame to avoid paying fair compensation. Working with an attorney ensures that your rights are protected during every conversation and negotiation.

Know That You Are Under No Obligation to Accept a Quick Settlement

Fast settlements often result in significantly less compensation than you may be entitled to under Nevada law. Once you sign a release or cash a settlement check, you may forfeit the right to pursue any additional damages, even if your medical condition worsens.

A thorough legal and medical review should take place before any discussions of settlement. Your attorney can help calculate the full value of your damages, which may include hospital bills, follow-up care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical treatment.

Consult With a Las Vegas Premises Liability Attorney as Soon as Possible

The final and most important step is to speak with an attorney who focuses on casino and premises liability claims. Not all personal injury attorneys are equipped to handle claims against resorts like The Cosmopolitan or Caesars Palace. These corporations have extensive legal teams and may rely on complex defenses to avoid liability.

At Bernstein Law, our attorneys have experience handling high-stakes slip and fall cases against major casino operators throughout Nevada. We understand how to build strong claims, preserve evidence, secure surveillance footage, and deal with insurance adjusters who attempt to deny or delay rightful compensation.

Timing Is Crucial Under Nevada’s Statute of Limitations

In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under NRS 11.190. However, key evidence such as security video, staff schedules, or floor cleaning logs may be discarded or overwritten within days or weeks if a formal legal request is not submitted. Acting quickly gives your legal team the best chance of securing the evidence needed to win your case.

Speak With a Las Vegas Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a casino slip and fall accident, now is the time to act. The recent Las Vegas slip and fall trial at The Cosmopolitan proved that juries are willing to hold negligent resorts accountable, but only when victims stand up and fight back. You do not have to take on powerful casino corporations alone. The attorneys at Bernstein Law are ready to help you demand justice and pursue full compensation under Nevada law.

Our legal team understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a fall injury can cause. We have the experience and resources to investigate complex casino injury claims, gather critical evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies that try to avoid responsibility. Whether your accident involved a wet floor, poor lighting, or failed maintenance, we will guide you through every step of the legal process.

Ed Bernstein proudly represents injury victims throughout Las Vegas and across Nevada. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call us today at (702) 623-4518 or visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation. Let Ed Bernstein help you take the first step toward recovery and justice after a serious slip and fall injury in Las Vegas.