Las Vegas, NV (March 20th, 2025) – Recently, a heated debate has emerged in Nevada over whether hotels should be required to provide daily room cleanings. This week, Governor Joe Lombardo urged state lawmakers to reject SB 360, a bill mandating daily hotel cleanings.
When you book a hotel room, you expect a clean, safe environment. Sometimes, however, hotels fail to uphold this basic responsibility. The move to reject SB 360, referred to as the Hotel Safety Act by its supporters, could significantly impact guest safety. Without proper cleaning, unsanitary conditions in hotel rooms can pose serious health risks, leading to illness, injuries, or even long-term medical complications.
Nevada Hotels’ Legal Responsibility to Maintain Clean Rooms
Under Nevada premises liability laws, hotels have an obligation to ensure their properties are reasonably safe for guests. Included in this duty is the responsibility to maintain clean and sanitary rooms. Failing to do so can lead to health hazards that may make a hotel liable for damages.
Operating, in some respects, as common carriers, Las Vegas resorts must take extra precautions to protect guests. While hotels are not legally obligated to prevent every possible risk, they must take reasonable steps to maintain cleanliness and address known hazards.
Negligence and Premises Liability Claims
When a hotel fails to clean rooms adequately, guests who suffer injuries or illnesses may have grounds for legal action. A Las Vegas premises liability lawyer may help guests understand how to sue a casino after getting injured, and prove negligence by establishing:
- The hotel had a duty to maintain a clean and safe environment
- The hotel breached that duty by failing to provide adequate cleaning
- The guest suffered harm as a result of the failure to clean
- The guest’s injury or illness directly resulted from the hotel’s negligence
Hotels may also be held liable for breaching their contract with guests if the conditions fail to meet the expected standards outlined in the booking agreement.
How Does Reduced Cleaning Frequency Impact Guests?
Hotels that fail to clean rooms regularly put their guests at risk. While the dangers may not always be immediately visible, unsanitary conditions can lead to bacterial and viral infections, allergic reactions, and even physical injuries.
Health and Safety Risks from Inadequate Cleaning
Inadequate cleaning doesn’t just pose a minor inconvenience, it can have lasting health consequences for guests. Travelers with compromised immune systems, respiratory conditions, or young children are especially vulnerable to infections and allergens. The longer a room remains uncleaned, the higher the likelihood of pest infestations, mold growth, and structural hazards that can lead to injuries.
Some of the most common health and safety risks that may result from substandard cleaning practices include:
Bacterial and Viral Infections
Dirty linens, uncleaned bathrooms, and high-touch surfaces can harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, MRSA, and norovirus. Such pathogens can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, skin infections, and even life-threatening complications for those with weakened immune systems. Guests who come into contact with contaminated surfaces can unknowingly ingest or spread harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Respiratory Issues
Dust, mold, and mildew thrive in rooms that are not cleaned regularly. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can trigger severe allergies, asthma attacks, and chronic respiratory conditions. Those with preexisting lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are particularly at risk. Unclean air vents and carpets can also collect dust mites, exacerbating respiratory problems.
Pest Problems
Bedbugs are not just an annoyance. They can cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and skin infections. Bedbugs spread quickly between rooms and are difficult to eradicate once they are established. Hotels that neglect regular cleaning and inspections allow these pests to thrive, which may lead to infestations that affect multiple guests.
Additionally, insects and rodents are attracted to food crumbs, uncleaned trash bins, and damp environments. Cockroaches, mice, and other pests can carry harmful diseases, contaminate food and bedding, and create an unsanitary atmosphere. Some guests may suffer from allergic reactions to pest droppings, while others could be at risk of bites or infections from contaminated surfaces.
Slips and Falls
Spills that go unnoticed and uncleaned can create slippery surfaces in hotel bathrooms and common areas. Leaks, wet floors, and unattended spills may increase the risk of guests slipping and falling, which may lead to serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, or spinal cord damage. A Las Vegas slip and fall attorney may help guests determine if their injuries were the result of negligence.
Structural Neglect
A lack of routine cleaning can be a sign of deeper maintenance issues. Guests may encounter loose carpets, broken furniture, or faulty electrical wiring, all of which pose safety risks. For example, an uncleaned room may hide hazards such as exposed nails, broken light fixtures, or unstable chairs, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Legal Options for Guests Harmed by Unsanitary Hotel Conditions in Las Vegas
Guests who suffer illness or injury due to unsanitary hotel conditions may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under state law, hotels can be held liable if their negligence in maintaining a clean environment directly results in harm to a guest. If a hotel fails to address known hazards, such as mold buildup, pest infestations, or unsanitary linens, affected guests may pursue legal action to recover damages. The damages they may recover include medical expenses, lost wages due to the illness, and pain and suffering.
To build a successful case, guests should document the conditions of their room with photos or videos, report the issue to hotel management, and seek medical attention if needed. A personal injury lawyer may help explain their legal rights and the potential for compensation.
Hotels in Nevada have a duty to provide guests with a clean and safe environment. However, with the push to scale back daily room cleanings, guests may be at a greater risk of illness and injury due to unsanitary conditions.
If you’ve developed a severe illness or suffered injury while staying at a Las Vegas hotel, contact our personal injury lawyer at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices. Since 1985, we have advocated on behalf of people injured due to the negligence of others, including hotels, resorts, and casinos. To discuss your options, call 702-388-2005 today.
