Woman Sues Palms Casino After 22-Story Elevator Plunge

Posted on: March 26, 2025, 08:22h. 

Last updated on: March 26, 2025, 07:46h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • Rebecca Keith Wood seeks damages after elevator’s sudden plunge
  • Palms Casino and Otis accused of negligence, safety failures
  • Past elevator incidents highlight risks despite safety mechanisms

A woman who sustained “serious injuries” when an elevator at the Palms Casino Resort fell 22 stories is suing the casino and the elevator company for negligence, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Rebecca Keith Wood, Palms Casino Resort, Otis Elevator Company, Clark County District Court
Palms Place, above, and the 47-story condo-hotel tower that was the scene of the accident. The plaintiff accuses Palms and the Otis Elevator Company of negligence in maintaining and inspecting the elevators. (Image: Palms Casino Resort)

Rebecca Keith Wood was an invited guest of the property on May 5, 2023, when the accident occurred, causing injuries to her “bodily limbs, organs, and nervous systems” according to a complaint filed in Clark County District Court. These conditions may be “permanent and disabling,” per the suit.

It’s not clear from the lawsuit how Wood sustained her injuries or the extent of her injuries.

Wood argues Palms Place condominiums and the Otis Elevator Company were negligent in maintaining and inspecting the elevators. Moreover, she says the Palms had a duty of care to warn guests about the “dangerous” state of the lifts.

Wood is suing for financial compensation in excess of $15K for general and specific damages in addition to attorney’s fees.

Freefalls Rare

Elevator freefalls are exceptionally rare due to multiple safety mechanisms designed to prevent such incidents. They are usually suspended by multiple cables, each able to support the elevator’s maximum load, and are equipped with safety brakes that kick in if the elevator moves too quickly.

Components such as cables, pulleys, or braking systems may fail due to wear and wear or manufacturing defects.​ Errors in the elevator’s electronic control systems can also lead to unintended movements or sudden drops.

Businesses must ensure that all facilities, including elevators, are safe for guests and must carry out regular inspections.

In the US, elevator and escalator incidents cause approximately 30 deaths and 17K injuries annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most incidents involve maintenance workers rather than passengers.

$2M Harveys Suit

In July 2014, John Deatherage was in an elevator at Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino when it suddenly dropped and came to a violent stop. Deatherage experienced a force of twice his body weight pushing down upon him, causing permanent damage to his spine. He was required to undergo fusion surgery on his back, amassing $142K in medical bills.

He subsequently filed a lawsuit against Schindler Elevator Company, the firm responsible for the elevator’s maintenance. In July 2018, a jury found Schindler Elevator Company negligent and awarded Deatherage $2 million in compensatory damages.