Your Legal Rights as a Hotel Guest in Nevada

What Legal Status Do You Have as a Hotel Guest in Nevada?

As a hotel guest in Nevada, you’re considered a transient guest, not a tenant. This distinction matters because it limits how long you can stay and what rights you have.  

Nevada’s public accommodation laws ensure that all guests are entitled to equal enjoyment and safety during their stay, whether in a hotel, inn, or lodging house.

The Hotel’s Duty of Reasonable Care: What It Means for You

Hotels have a legal obligation to demonstrate reasonable care when maintaining their property. This means:

• Keeping all hallways, stairwells, and other common areas safe and free of hazards that could put visitors and staff in harm’s way.
• Regularly inspecting and maintaining all guest rooms, elevators, swimming pools, and parking areas to guarantee safety.
• Hiring and training responsible staff members who respond appropriately when dangerous situations or guest concerns arise.

When an establishment fails to meet these obligations, their owners or operators can be held liable for any injuries or losses that occur.

Common Hotel Accidents and Who Is Liable 

Most hotel owners and managers strive to maintain a safe environment, but accidents still happen. Here’s a closer look at how certain types of negligence can lead to harm and what circumstances may make a hotel responsible.

Slip-And-Fall Accidents

It’s possible for hotel guests to lose their footing on:

• Wet floors that aren’t properly marked
• Torn or bunched carpeting in hallways or rooms
• Poorly lit stairs or entryways

If the hazard was known to the owner (or should have been known), and the owner took no action to ensure guests’ safety, the hotel may be legally liable.

Swimming Pool Injuries

Conditions that could pose a risk to guest safety around pool areas include:

• Slippery surfaces without warning signs
• Improper use of chemicals to maintain pools 
• Lack of qualified lifeguards

Hotels are required to take proper precautions to avoid any foreseeable accidents in and around swimming pools.

In-Room Hazards

The last place you may expect to be injured in a hotel is inside your room. Regardless, accidents can stem from:

• Broken furniture or fixtures
• Exposed wiring or flooring defects
• Bed bugs or mold

A hotel that fails to properly clean and maintain their rooms may become the target of personal injury claims.

Assaults and Inadequate Security

Hotels must implement adequate security measures to protect guests from foreseeable harm. This includes:

• Installing functional door locks and peepholes
• Maintaining adequate lighting in hallways and parking lots
• Placing security cameras around public areas

When a guest is assaulted because of a lack of security measures, the hotel could be responsible, especially if there have been past incidents involving violations of Nevada law (NRS 651.015).

When Can Hotel Staff Legally Enter Your Room?

During your stay, your hotel room is legally considered a private space. However, hotel staff may still be able to enter under certain circumstances, including the following:

• In emergency situations, such as a fire or medical crisis. 
• For maintenance purposes (though you’ll typically be given advance notice).
• For reasonable suspicion of illegal activities, depending on the hotel’s policies. 

Staff members cannot enter a room arbitrarily, and your rights as a guest are protected by law. Surveillance is also strictly limited; hotels may use security cameras in and around public areas but not inside guest rooms or bathrooms.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Property: Is the Hotel Responsible?

Nevada law limits a hotel’s liability for any property damage or theft unless gross negligence can be proven. Hotels generally aren’t responsible for unattended items in guest rooms or property stored in vehicles on the premises.

Steps To Take Immediately After a Hotel Injury or Incident

If you suffered an injury, or your property was damaged or stolen during a hotel stay, acting swiftly can help you preserve your rights. 

Follow these steps:

• Seek medical attention 
• Report the incident to the hotel staff 
• Document the scene with photos and video footage
• Hold onto any relevant physical evidence
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Don’t sign any paperwork from the hotel without consulting a lawyer

These measures will help support your prospective legal claim and ensure that important information doesn’t become lost.

Why You Need a Las Vegas Hotel Injury Lawyer

Although personal injury claims may seem straightforward, they can become extremely complicated when large hotel chains and their insurer are involved. A qualified hotel injury lawyer in Las Vegas can offer the following services:

• Investigate the hotel’s history of safety violations or prior complaints.
• Collect and preserve key evidence, like surveillance footage and maintenance logs.
• Work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries.
• Handle negotiations with insurance companies that may try to downplay your claim.

If the hotel is found to have acted negligently, you may be entitled to financial compensation for such impacts, including:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages

It’s important to work with a competent legal team that understands what the law says regarding hotel guest rights in Nevada’s hospitality industry.

Adam S. Kutner — Your Advocate in Las Vegas Hotel Injury Claims

For more than 30 years, attorney Adam S. Kutner has fought for the rights of Las Vegas injury victims, including those hurt during hotel stays. As a seasoned premises liability lawyer, he understands how these cases work, and how to take on major hotel corporations.

Our team takes pride in offering prompt, client-centered legal services. From the moment you contact our office, we’ll be there to provide reliable guidance and support and help you pursue the compensation you need.

Contact Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, today to schedule a free consultation. Book your appointment now — you’ll pay nothing unless we win.