Injured at a Nevada or California Conference or Convention?

We love the energy and excitement that convention season brings to our cities, especially in Nevada and California. The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the busiest convention centers in the world, hosting over 60 events in 2024 and attracting 1.4 million attendees to its facilities. But conventions spread across the entire city, making Las Vegas the top convention destination in the United States (and the 7th in the world), hosting about 6.6 million total visitors each year for trade shows, conferences, and conventions.

Not to be outshined, multiple cities in California combine to host 5-7 million annual attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center (2.5 million) and the Anaheim Convention Center (2 million). Culturally significant conferences and conventions are found across the state, the best of which include QCon in San Francisco and the beloved San Diego Comic-Con.

What happens if you’re injured at one of these exciting events?

You came to network, share ideas, meet with colleagues and clients, and get some free swag. You didn’t plan on getting hurt and limping out with an injury, a pile of medical bills, and no idea what to do next. While incidents that happen at conventions can be a type of premises liability case, they are somewhat unique and require unique legal expertise.

Whether it’s a tech expo or a fan fest, most people never expect to get hurt at one of these meetings or events. But it happens! And when it does, you suddenly find yourself trapped in a complex and emotional maze of legal and insurance issues you never anticipated. Organizers, venue owners, and insurance adjusters often close ranks and hope you will simply get frustrated and give up. 

Eight steps to take after an injury at a conference or convention: 

Step 1: Get to Safety

If you’re injured at an event, your health and well-being must be your top priority. If possible, move to a safe area as close to the incident site as possible. Do not try to “tough it out.” 

Step 2: Get Medical Care Immediately 

Insurance companies are likely to use any delay in getting care as an indication that the injury was not real or serious. Once you’re safe, call for the on-site medical team. 

In the event of severe injury, call 9-1-1 and request an ambulance to the nearest hospital. If the event does not have an on-site medical team, visit an urgent care or emergency center to be seen by a trained medical professional.

No matter which medical professional you see, ask for a written doctor’s note and diagnosis, along with the results of any tests run. Once you’re home from the event, see your primary care physician as soon as possible. Communicate clearly with your doctor about every symptom and pain point. 

Step 3: Report the Injury Onsite

Inform the event organizers, security, and the venue manager. Have them file an incident report, even if they resist. Request a copy or a reference number. Explain exactly what happened and ensure it is thoroughly documented. If someone tries to minimize your injury, politely but firmly correct the record. 

You can use phrases such as “No, this was quite serious,” or “I’m still unsure how serious the injuries are, but I am definitely not ‘OK’.” If organizers or event staff try to restrict your ability to document your surroundings or move you away from the scene, ask for a manager. 

Once the report is complete, ask for a copy of the incident report from event security or staff. If they hesitate, ask for a written statement. The more information you collect now, the harder it is for anyone to change the story later. 

Step 4: Document Everything

If you do not start recording your pain and symptoms right away, it might be hard to prove how serious your injury is when you make a claim. Always keep all documents (invoices, prescriptions, test results, lab results), as medical records are the foundation of your claim.

From the time of the injury onward, maintain a journal of your pain and symptoms to document everything related to your injury. Be sure to include any inability to perform certain tasks, as well as difficulty sleeping due to pain, soreness, or tenderness.

Use your phone to take photos of everything: your injury, where it happened, the cause(s) of the injury (a loose floor tile, a cracked stair, a non-secure booth, a spill, etc.), any other hazards you see, the crowd around you, exits, or blocked paths. Photograph warning signs or where a warning sign should have been posted. 

No detail is too small. When in doubt, take a video of the entire area; this can be used by your legal team later to pinpoint minor details you may have missed in the commotion. Where possible, gather the names and contact information of any witnesses as soon as possible, before people scatter. Take pictures of attendee badges, as these can be used to re-contact witnesses after the event. If you see video cameras, take a photo of their locations. Camera footage is invaluable if anyone disputes what happened.

Step 5: Be Smart With Insurance & Event Staff

When insurance or staff call, speak with care. Give only the basic facts: how you were hurt, what you saw, and the effects of the incident on you. Never say “I think,” “maybe,” or “it’s probably my fault.” Decline to give a recorded statement. 

Insurance company representatives may sound helpful, but they are looking for ways to minimize your future compensation. Often, insurance representatives will ask seemingly innocuous questions such as, “How was work today?” or “You’re feeling better, then?” 

These questions are aimed at undermining your case and collecting evidence that can later be used to deny or minimize your claim. If they push for a quick settlement, refuse and talk to your attorney first. If you get any emails about your case, keep every correspondence. Do not feel pressured.

Step 6: Identify All Possible Liable Parties

There are multiple potentially liable parties at every conference or convention. These include: the event organizer, the venue owner, contracted security personnel, outside vendors, sponsors, and third-party maintenance staff. 

Any of them could bear the weight of liability for your injury, depending on the situation. One missed repair, one ignored warning, one poorly constructed booth, or even a rowdy crowd — any of these can shift liability. 

Do not let a venue manager or anyone else pressure you into blaming yourself or dropping your claim. Get a personal injury lawyer who understands the labyrinth of liability that conferences or conventions can pose.

Step 7: Save All Evidence

Every correspondence related to your injury should be saved. Medical bills, diagnoses, prescriptions, pain diary, emails from the event, texts from a witness, and photos. Screenshot social posts or texts that mention what happened. 

If someone tries to minimize your experience or talks down to you at the scene, write it down and add the date. There is no such thing as too much documentation! The more concurrent documentation you have of the event, the more difficult it will be for any party to skirt their responsibility to compensate you for your losses. 

Step 8: Act Quickly To Protect Your Rights

California and Nevada injury victims face strict statutes that dictate when they can file a claim following an injury at a conference or event. The sooner you file a claim after an event, the more time there is for your legal team to prepare: requesting footage from conference attendees and security cameras, talking to witnesses before they forget, and recovering any evidence from the scene. 

The longer you wait to file a case, the higher the probability that security footage could be erased, or event attendees may not remember all of the details. The crucial pieces of your evidence will be much more difficult to obtain. 

Why Choose Sam & Ash Injury Law?

At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we know that every accident is personal, and so is your recovery. We believe you deserve What’s Right. Our team has a proven track record of helping clients in both California and Nevada secure life-changing results. 

We handle every detail — from preserving evidence to negotiating with insurance companies — so you can just focus on healing. We have extensive experience with both conference and convention injury cases across California and Nevada, delivering client-focused advocacy with no fees until we win.

At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we are committed to:

• Prompt Communication: You will never be left wondering what’s happening with your case. We call back quickly, answer every question, and provide clear, easy-to-understand updates. You’ll always know what’s next, so you’re never in the dark or waiting for answers.
• Over $500MM Recovered For Victims Like You: We bring years of successful case outcomes to the table. Our history of winning cases and exceeding settlement expectations for clients in California and Nevada means you can trust we’ll fight for the best possible result in your case.
• History of Winning Against Las Vegas’ Largest Venue Operators: Unlike other Las Vegas Law Firms, Sam & Ash Injury Law has a proven track record of winning against many of Las Vegas’ largest venues.
• Keeping You Informed with Personalized Care: To us, you’re so much more than just a case number. Our attorneys provide personalized care based on your specific case. You deserve real representation from an attorney who sees you as a human being and has your back from day one. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident at a convention or conference, DO NOT face the journey to recovery alone. Read our FAQ about premises liability, and then contact Sam & Ash Injury Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll answer your questions, explain your rights, and work tirelessly to deliver fair compensation. Call us today. Let us help you get the care and compensation that you and your family deserve. Sam & Ash Injury Law — Because You Deserve What’s Right.