Friday, March 6, 2015 | 3:12 p.m.
CARSON CITY — The actions taken by a Las Vegas casino during a medical emergency will be the focus of the Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Lawyers for Larry Stephens and his wife, Juelnita, maintain employees at Red Rock Resort had a duty to provide medical assistance when Larry Stephens collapsed near a slot machine in December 2007.
The couple say Larry Stephens suffered brain damage after employees failed to administer CPR or use an automated external defibrillator when he suffered a heart attack. Lawyers noted that security officers were trained in CPR and the use of the defibrillator, according to court documents.
A District Court jury awarded the couple $1.8 million over the incident. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on the casino’s appeal.
Attorneys for the casino argued in pre-hearing briefs that an adverse ruling by the Supreme Court would “send a horrible message to every business owner in Nevada.”
They said it would send a message to business owners not to train their employees beyond basic first aid and would “significantly weaken” the Good Samaritan law that bars legal action against those who render emergency aid.
The court will hear oral arguments and rule later.
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