A lawsuit that has drawn significant attention in Las Vegas involves Rebecca Wood, who has filed a complaint against the Palms Hotel-Casino, Palms Place Condominiums, and Otis Elevator Company.
Wood alleges she sustained serious injuries in May 2023 when an elevator plummeted 22 stories. According to the complaint, she was a guest at the property at the time of the incident.
The civil suit, filed in Clark County District Court, accuses the defendants of negligence in maintaining and inspecting the elevators.
Plaintiff Seeking Financial Compensation
Wood is seeking financial compensation exceeding $15,000 for general and specific damages, as well as attorney’s fees. Representatives from Palms Casino Resort and their legal team have declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
Details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
The lawsuit does not specify whether Wood was inside the elevator at the time of the fall or nearby, nor does it provide details on the exact nature or severity of her injuries. However, the complaint states that she suffered "serious injuries" requiring medical attention and describes them as potentially "permanent and disabling."
Elevator Company Dropped From Lawsuit
The lawsuit originally named the Palms Hotel-Casino, FP Holdings L.P., Otis, and TK Elevator Corporation as defendants when it was first filed on March 3.
An amended complaint filed last week replaced the casino with Palms Place, the adjacent condominium-hotel tower located next to the two iconic towers of Palms Casino Resort.
The revised lawsuit also removed TK Elevator from the list of defendants.
History of the Palms Hotel-Casino
The Palms Hotel-Casino is well-known despite being located just west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Since its opening in November 2001, it has quickly become a hotspot for both locals and tourists. The Palms gained fame for its luxury accommodations, popular nightclubs, and frequent celebrity sightings. One of its most iconic features is the Fantasy Tower, renowned for its themed suites that offer unique and lavish experiences.
Initially owned by the Maloof family—known for their involvement in various business ventures, including ownership of the Sacramento Kings—the Palms quickly became a cultural icon, featured in reality TV shows and frequented by Hollywood stars. The property changed hands in 2016 when Station Casinos acquired it and invested hundreds of millions in renovations.
In May 2021, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians purchased the Palms from Station Casinos for $650 million, marking their entry into the Las Vegas market and making history as one of the few Native American tribes to own and operate a casino in the city.
The Palms' storied past and its latest chapter continue to make it a fascinating part of Las Vegas’s ever-evolving landscape. However, this ongoing legal case serves as a reminder that even iconic establishments are not immune to operational challenges and legal scrutiny.
