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Las Vegas Campus Accident Lawyer

College is an environment in which students can gain academic knowledge and social skills to move forward in life. Under federal law, schools and universities are required to provide a safe educational environment and facilities for their students. However, lawsuits for campus can be very different from those that occur elsewhere. If you have been injured in an accident on a Nevada college campus caused by someone else’s negligence, a dedicated Las Vegas injury lawyer at Cogburn Law can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Nevada College Campus Accident Resources:

Types of Las Vegas Campus Accidents

Although schools, colleges, and universities strive to provide a safe environment, accidents and injuries can still occur on campus. Typical examples include:

  • Slip and fall accidents: This type of accident can occur in school buildings or dormitories or on campus grounds.
  • Car accident and pedestrian accidents: With the number of students, faculty, and employees driving and the number of pedestrians on campus, it is important to ensure that parking lots and structures are safe and that the flow of traffic is safe for students walking between classes.
  • Faulty facilities injuries: Campuses must maintain their grounds and facilities and swiftly address any safety issues. Faulty lab equipment, stairwells, elevators, and other facilities can result in serious injuries.
  • Violence and sexual assault: College campuses have been the scene of violent crimes, including battery and sexual assault. Victims of such crimes may have a negligence cause of action against the university as well as the parties who committed the crime.
  • Faculty misconduct: Under Nevada law, schools and school districts are liable for the negligent acts of employees within the scope of their employment.
  • Food poisoning: If you become seriously ill because of food poisoning at a campus cafeteria or restaurant, you may have a claim for compensation.
  • Shuttle accidents: People injured in campus shuttle accidents may be eligible to bring a negligence lawsuit for compensation against the driver, shuttle company, or other responsible parties.

Who can I sue if I was injured in a campus accident?

Possible defendants in a lawsuit to recover damages after a Las Vegas campus accident will depend on the specific facts of the case. Possible defendants may include:

  • The student, faculty member, staff member, or visitor who caused the injury;
  • The University of Nevada Las Vegas or the college of attendance (except in cases where sovereign immunity applies);
  • The State of Nevada; and/or
  • A third party (such as a contractor) that may have contributed to the injury

What do I have to prove in a campus accident case?

If you have been harmed in a campus accident, your Las Vegas campus accident lawyer may be eligible to bring a lawsuit against the responsible parties, provided you can prove the following four key elements:

  • The defendant (responsible party) owed the plaintiff (you) a duty of care.
  • The defendant breached this duty of care.
  • The breach caused your injury.
  • The injury resulted in damages.

Defendant’s Duty of Care in a Las Vegas Campus Accident

Depending on the circumstances surrounding an accident on campus, the university may be a possible defendant in a lawsuit to seek compensation. Like other public universities, the University of Nevada Las Vegas has a duty to maintain safe conditions for students, university employees, and the general public. This duty involves:

  • Hiring qualified personnel
  • Supervising students
  • Providing adequate security
  • Performing regular maintenance on buildings and equipment
  • Repairing any damage
  • Giving sufficient warning of hazardous conditions
  • While the university may be found liable for injuries caused by the negligence of its staff or employees, under the principle of sovereign immunity, it may not be found liable for intentionally wrongful acts committed by its staff or employees.

What compensation can I receive if I sue for a campus accident?

Depending on your injury and the accident you were involved in, you may be eligible for various compensatory damages. These include:

  • Loss of wages
  • Loss of future earnings and potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death

Nevada law puts a $100,000 cap on compensation for negligence committed by public employees – including staff on college campuses. Courts may also grant punitive damages, but caps compensation for those acts at $300,000. Victims that are partially to blame for their injuries are also subject to obtaining less in damages from the defendant.

Free Case Consultation from a Las Vegas Campus Accident Attorney

The statute of limitations in Nevada is two years from the date of the accident. If you or your child was injured while on campus, call an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer at Cogburn Law today for a free case consultation. Our goal is to help you secure the compensation you deserve – whether through settlement or trial – we are ready to win.