Iowa casinos attract visitors from all over the world, many of whom want the experience of gambling or socializing in our unique casinos. The state’s casinos are designed to wow guests with their elaborate design and luxurious amenities, but unfortunately, these iconic entertainment centers can also be the sites of serious and life changing accidents.
Per existing Iowa laws injury claims against casinos must be brought before the tribal court vs. a traditional personal injury court. Tribal accident and injury laws differ from state accident and injury laws. You need the help of an Iowa casino accident attorney who is licensed to practice in tribal court.
If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident or suffer an injury from any other kind of accident caused by negligence on the part of a casino, you deserve medical benefits and financial. However, you need to keep in mind that the casino’s insurer and legal team stand ready to deflect or minimize your claim to get compensation. Many casinos have large deductibles, so they will do everything they can to free themselves from liability and avoid paying an injured patron. All this is not to say that you should give up and suffer through your injuries alone—rather, you should work with an experienced casino accident attorney to give yourself the best chance of winning the compensation that you need and deserve.
The Iowa casino accident lawyers at our firm can help. We are dedicated trail lawyers who are well-versed in Iowa casino accident cases, a very specific type of personal injury law. We have experience going up against large casinos that are on the defensive, and many times we have been able to recover large settlements that help accident victims not only pay their outstanding medical bills, but cover injury-related care in the future.
Iowa Casino Accidents
There are many varied types of accidents that can occur on casino premises, but the examples listed below are some of the types of cases that we commonly see at our Iowa casino accident law firm.
Slip and fall accidents. These are by far the most common type of casino accident. With drinks being served on busy casino floors, it is possible for a beverage to spill and someone to slip and suffer an injury. Falls may also occur due to wet floors that are not clearly labeled, tripping hazards such as electrical cords, ripped carpeting, or unsafe stairs, among other things. The key with this type of injury case is proving that the casino owner was aware of should reasonably have been aware of the slipping or tripping hazard but failed to take any action before the injury occurred.
Negligent security. With some casino patrons winning big and carrying large amounts of cash, crime can be a serious concern, especially in parking lots or poorly lit areas in or outside of the casino. Iowa casino typically use security cameras as well as employ security guards in an attempt to prevent crime on their property, but the cameras do not always cover every area of the casino, and it is possible for a negligent security guard to miss a potential threat. If you or a loved one is a victim of crime on a casino’s property, call the Iowa casino accident attorneys at our firm as soon as possible.
Excessive force by casino security. While casinos may be found liable for lax security, the pendulum can also swing the other way, and casinos may be held responsible if one of their employees uses excessive force to restrain or remove you from the premises. Your Council Bluffs casino injury attorney in this type of case will work to show that the level of force casino security used was disproportionate to the threat you posed—or that the security guard had no real reason to believe that you posed a threat, and that their behavior was unfounded.
Dangerous property conditions. In the state of Iowa, premises liability laws clearly state that casino owners, managers and parent companies are responsible for maintaining their (often expansive) property and making sure that every part of it is up to code. If you are injured due to mechanical or physical faults in a casino elevator, escalator, parking lot, swimming pool, or any other area of the casino, call our Diamond Lo casino slip and fall attorneys to learn more about your right to recompense.
How An Iowa Casino Injury Attorney Can Help You
Casinos are big businesses and all businesses are concerned with their bottom line, and paying a large settlement to an injured patron is obviously not in their best interest. Therefore, casino owners will do everything they can to placate an injured patron without paying the full amount that the patron needs for their current and future medical bills, lost wages, and other associated expenses.
If you are injured at any of the 24 Iowa casinos such as Bluffs Run, Catfish Bend, Harrah’s, Ameristar or Lakeside, you will be approached by their insurance carrier soon after your accident. You will be offered a very low and insufficient settlement offer that requires you to sign a release a claim. Under no circumstances should you sign this without consulting an Iowa casino accident attorney lawyer, because signing a release can prevent you from filing a lawsuit and recovering the full amount that you deserve.
When choosing a casino accident law firm, it is important to look at that firm’s past record with this type of case. Some firms do not want to go to trial and will work to resolve the case through a settlement, even when that settlement is not in your best interest. As your legal counsel our IA casino injury lawyers may be able to recover the compensation that you need through negotiations with the casino’s legal team, but if the casino’s settlement offer remains too low, we are also prepared to go to trial. We are not in the business of aligning with the casino’s counsel or insurance company—we are first and foremost concerned with working towards a resolution that is suitable for you, even if that means going to court.
Contact An Iowa Casino Accident Attorney
Do not make the mistake of accepting a subpar settlement from an Iowa casino or their insurance company. The settlement amount they offer barely covers your current medical bills, leaving you with the bills for continuing care and the financial burden you may face if your injury causes you to miss work or lose your job. Contact our team of experienced Iowa casino accident lawyers to speak with an attorney who will focus on getting you the maximum amount of benefits and compensation for your injuries, pain, suffering and medical expenses.