Gambling is a popular pastime for many in the Old Line State, whether it’s at a casino or the racetrack. People who come to play the slot machines or put their money down on a favorite horse know there are no guarantees, and that they could risk losing everything with a roll of the dice or a pull of the slot machine arm. But they do it anyway, because they love the rush they get when they win.
Although gamblers realize that their actions could hurt their wallet, what they don’t anticipate is getting physically injured in some way. But that’s what happened to one man who filed a lawsuit recently.
The Maryland man went to the Hollywood Casino in Perryville in November 2009, where he played the slot machines, according to a court complaint. He claims he was seated in a chair that was adjacent to the row of slot machines. The chair was attached to a rack assembly that was attached to the floor of the casino, which is designed to be fixed and immovable to ensure the safety of casino patrons. But he fell out of the chair and was injured, the court complaint said.
The lawsuit claims the chair was negligently installed, inspected and maintained by the casino, which caused the chair to be unattached to both the assembly rack and the floor. He’s seeking compensation for his injuries, which were undisclosed.
Patrons of a casino, racetrack or any other facility that is centered around entertainment have the right to enjoy themselves without having to worry about the furniture they’re sitting on or other amenities. While it’s unclear if or how the casino’s parent company, PNGI Charles Town Gaming, has responded to the lawsuit, not taking a personal injury lawsuit seriously would be a gamble in itself.
Source: The West Virginia Record, “Md. man files suit after fall at Charles Town Races,” Kyla Asbury, Dec. 27, 2011