The family of a Canadian man who died after slipping in the Excalibur Las Vegas casino resort’s pool in 2023 is suing the business over the incident.
Paul Nakashima died on June 16, 2023, a day after falling and hitting his head in the shallow end of one of Excalibur’s several pools. The lawsuit claims Excalibur staff did not take immediate and proper actions that could have prevented his death.
The family seeks $15K in damages from Excalibur. Accusations in the lawsuit include improper training for lifeguards and a negligent delay in providing life-saving equipment at the scene.
The Incident
In June 2023, Paul Nakashima of Burnaby, British Columbia, was in Las Vegas with family and friends to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Nakashima was an avid poker fan and loved visiting his favorite destination of Las Vegas. It was the family’s first time staying at the medieval castle-themed Excalibur.
On the morning of July 15, Nakashima slipped and fell on the shallow steps of one of Excalibur’s pools. His family was not with him at the time.
The lawsuit says that Nakashima may have been face down drowning in the water for as long as 10 minutes before lifeguards came to his aid.
Nakashima was unresponsive and blue in the face when pulled from the pool. The lawsuit says a good Samaritan guest attempted CPR, rather than a trained medic at the casino resort.
However, he remained unresponsive when ambulance crews arrived. Nakashma was later pronounced brain-dead upon arrival at the nearby Spring Valley Hospital, and his death was confirmed the next day.
The coroner’s report said “death by drowning after a head injury” was the obvious cause.
The Lawsuit
The legal complaint over the incident was filed in Clark County District Court late last week.
It claims multiple counts of negligence against Excalibur and its operator, MGM Resorts International. That included wrongful death, negligent training and supervision, and infliction of emotional distress.
It alleges that Nakashima’s death was fully preventable if lifeguards had been more alert and better trained. The lawsuit also claims violations of various Nevada health and safety regulations, including Nevada Health District Aquatic Facility codes.
Nakashima’s sisters, Sandra Waithe and Ruth Nakashima, are among those behind the lawsuit, as well as other family members.
They are seeking $15,000 in damages, plus legal costs and funeral expenses. Neither MGM Resorts or Excalibur Las Vegas has commented on the case as of yet.
The case isn’t the only ongoing unlawful death lawsuit against a Las Vegas casino. Earlier this year, a family of a British man who died of diabetes complications while staying at the Aria Las Vegas filed legal proceedings against the casino resort over the death.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
