Las Vegas, NV (March 25th, 2025) – In March 2023, a 78-year-old woman suffered injuries in a revolving door accident at Trump International Hotel that her family claims directly caused her death in October 2024. The woman’s family has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel.
Hotel door injuries are a significant concern in the hospitality industry, often leading to severe consequences for guests and substantial liability for establishments.
Common Causes of Hotel Door Injuries in Las Vegas
Hotel door injuries can arise from several factors, many of which stem from negligence, poor design, or lack of proper maintenance. Some of the most common of these factors include:
Defective or Malfunctioning Doors
Automatic and revolving doors are commonly found in hotels. If they are not regularly inspected and maintained, however, they can pose significant risks. Defects experienced by these doors can include sudden or unexpected movements that catch guests off guard, doors causing entrapment or impact injuries due to failures to open or close properly, and sensor malfunctions that cause doors to close on guests. Defects such as these can increase the risk of severe injury, particularly for elderly guests or those with mobility issues.
In the case of the revolving door accident at the Trump Hotel Las Vegas, the door allegedly sped up and hit the woman as she was leaving the hotel. Reports suggested the door violently knocked the woman several feet, causing her to fall on her face.
Improper Design or Installation
Regular wear and tear without routine maintenance can lead to significant safety concerns. Many hotels fail to schedule consistent inspections, allowing doors to degrade over time. Consequently, maintenance issues, such as loose or broken hinges that cause doors to slam unexpectedly or worn-out closing mechanisms, that lead to unpredictable door movement, may occur. Neglecting routine maintenance increases the risk of malfunctions such as these, which may cause serious injuries.
Inadequate Signage or Warnings
Certain doors require clear instructions to ensure guest safety. Hotels that fail to provide proper signage put their guests at risk. Some common signage-related hazards include the lack of “Caution: Automatic Door” warnings near motion-activated doors, failure to provide “Push” or “Pull” signs on manually operated doors leading to confusion and potential strain injuries, and no visible markings on transparent glass doors, increasing the likelihood of guests walking into them. Providing clear instructions and visible warnings may help avoid many avoidable hotel door accidents.
Common Types of Hotel Door Injuries
Hotel door injuries vary in severity, with some causing minor bruises while others result in life-threatening consequences. Some of the most common types of injuries associated with hotel doors include:
Crush and Impact Injuries
When an automatic or revolving door closes unexpectedly or forcefully, guests can suffer serious crush injuries. These injuries often affect the fingers, hands, arms, or even entire bodies in extreme cases. Impact injuries may result in fractures or broken bones, severe bruising, soft tissue damage, or nerve damage from prolonged pressure.
Head and Facial Injuries
Guests can sustain head injuries if they accidentally walk into a glass door or if a malfunctioning automatic door forcefully hits them. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe and include concussions from sudden impacts, lacerations, requiring stitches if the glass doors shatter, and eye injuries if sharp edges or protruding handles make contact with a guest’s face.
Trip and Fall Injuries
Doors that fail to open properly, close too quickly, or have raised thresholds can create tripping hazards. Guests may stumble or fall, leading to sprains or strains, bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries resulting from awkward landings. A Las Vegas slip and fall attorney may help those who have suffered such injuries determine the cause of their accidents, and whether hotel negligence may have contributed.
Finger and Hand Entrapment
Entrapment injuries are especially common in automatic sliding doors and revolving doors. If a guest’s hand or fingers become caught in the door’s mechanism, it can lead to broken fingers or dislocations, severe lacerations, and, in extreme cases, amputations. Due to such injuries, some may experience long-term nerve damage that results in reduced mobility.
Fatal Injuries
In rare but tragic cases, hotel door accidents have resulted in fatalities. The incident at the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas is a prime example. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the deceased woman’s family claims she died due to complications from injuries suffered in the hotel accident.
The Rights of Victims in Las Vegas Hotel Door Accidents
Victims of hotel door injuries have legal rights that may entitle them to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. When a hotel fails to provide a safe environment, victims can file premises liability claims to hold the establishment accountable for their negligence. In cases where a hotel’s negligence results in a fatality, such as the woman at the Trump International Hotel, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice for their loved one.
Evidence such as surveillance footage, witness statements, maintenance records, and expert testimony can play a crucial role in proving liability. Hotels and their insurers often attempt to minimize payouts or deny responsibility, making it essential for victims and their families to seek legal representation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hotel door accident, contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices in Las Vegas. Our experienced team can help you understand your legal options, and aid you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. For a free initial consultation, call 702-388-2005.
