Slip and Fall Accidents and Surveillance Cameras: Using Video Evidence to Strengthen Your Case

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but in a bustling city like Las Vegas, they are especially common in casinos, hotels, restaurants, and other high-traffic establishments. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, proving your claim is essential to securing the compensation you deserve. One of the most powerful tools to support your case is surveillance footage. Many Las Vegas establishments rely on extensive security camera systems, and this video evidence can make or break your claim. Our Las Vegas Slip & Fall Lawyers from Mainor Ellis are here to support your claim.

How Surveillance Cameras Help in Slip and Fall Cases

Surveillance footage provides an unbiased, time-stamped record of what happened during your accident. It can play a key role in:

1. Proving the Hazard Existed
   Video evidence can capture the presence of hazards such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or improperly placed objects that caused your fall. This evidence is especially critical when property owners try to deny the existence of a dangerous condition.
2. Establishing the Property Owner’s Negligence
   Surveillance footage can show how long the hazard was present before the accident. If the video reveals that the dangerous condition existed for a significant amount of time without being addressed, it strengthens your claim that the property owner was negligent.
3. Rebutting False Claims
   Unfortunately, businesses may sometimes argue that your own negligence caused the fall or that you exaggerated your injuries. Video evidence can refute these claims, providing a clear account of the incident.

Obtaining Surveillance Footage

Getting access to surveillance footage is not always straightforward. Businesses are not obligated to provide this evidence voluntarily, so taking the following steps can help:

1. Act Quickly
   Many businesses only retain surveillance footage for a short period—sometimes as little as 24 to 72 hours—before it is automatically overwritten. It’s crucial to act fast to request the footage.
2. Send a Preservation Letter
   A preservation letter is a formal legal document that instructs the business to retain relevant footage. Your attorney can draft and send this letter to ensure the video is not destroyed.
3. Use Subpoenas if Necessary
   If the business refuses to provide the footage, your attorney can issue a subpoena to compel its release.

Challenges with Surveillance Footage

While video evidence can significantly strengthen your case, it’s not always a guaranteed win. Potential challenges include:

• Partial or Missing Footage: Some cameras may not cover the exact location of the fall, or the video may have gaps.
• Quality Issues: Poor lighting or low-resolution footage can make it difficult to identify details.
• Bias in Presentation: Businesses may attempt to use footage selectively to minimize their liability.

This is why having an experienced attorney who knows how to obtain, analyze, and present video evidence is critical.

How Mainor Ellis Can Help

At Mainor Ellis in Las Vegas, we understand the importance of surveillance footage in slip and fall cases. Our attorneys know how to act quickly to secure evidence and use it effectively to build a compelling case for your compensation. Let us help you leverage video evidence and fight for the justice you deserve.