Chemical Burns From Cleaning Products in Hotels and Casinos: Hidden Dangers in ‘Back of House’ Areas
You never see it in the glossy ads. What you don’t see is the back of house: service corridors that smell like bleach and solvents, cramped laundry rooms, dish pits full of chemicals, and storage closets packed with industrial‑strength cleaners.
If you work in a hotel or casino in Nevada, or even if you’re a contractor, vendor, or guest who gets shuffled through the wrong door, that’s the world you live in. And in that world, chemical burns from cleaning products aren’t rare. They’re predictable.
At Mainor Ellis Injury Lawyers, we see what happens when safety takes a back seat to “turn the rooms faster” and “keep the casino spotless.”
Industrial Cleaners Are Not the Stuff Under Your Kitchen Sink
Hotels and casinos don’t clean with whatever’s on sale at the grocery store. They use:
- High‑concentration degreasers
- Caustic drain cleaners
- Strong disinfectants and sanitizers
- Descalers and acid‑based bathroom cleaners
- Solvent‑based products for carpets and upholstery
These products can cause chemical burns on skin and eyes, respiratory injuries from fumes, and long‑term issues from repeated exposure.
In busy casinos and mega‑resorts, you’ll often see:
- Unlabeled spray bottles
- Different chemicals mixed by “whoever’s here tonight”
- Broken or missing PPE (personal protective equipment)
- Training that’s more “watch Maria do it once” than real instruction
When that system fails, the burns aren’t “accidents.” They’re the result of negligence. And when this happens, you may need a Las Vegas burn injury lawyer to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Nevada Law: A Duty to Keep People Reasonably Safe
Whether you’re an employee, contractor, or guest, property owners in Nevada have duties.
Under Nevada premises liability law and the general duty of care in NRS 41.130, businesses must exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm. That includes:
- Storing and labeling hazardous chemicals properly
- Training workers in safe handling
- Providing and enforcing use of appropriate protective equipment
- Maintaining ventilation and emergency wash stations
- Keeping dangerous areas secured from unauthorized access
For employees, there’s also:
- OSHA/NIOSH standards for hazard communication and PPE
- State and federal regulations on chemical safety in workplaces
If you’re hurt on the job, workers’ compensation is involved. But that’s not always the end of the story. Third‑party claims may exist against:
- Chemical manufacturers (for defective design or inadequate warnings)
- Outside cleaning or maintenance contractors
- Other companies on site whose negligence exposed you to chemicals
Guests and non‑employees who suffer chemical burns are not limited to workers’ comp. Their claims go straight to premises liability and negligence.
Guests Aren’t Supposed to See the Back of House, But They Do
Not every victim of chemical exposure is an employee. Guests may be:
- Routed through service corridors during construction or emergencies
- Assigned rooms right next to poorly ventilated laundry or cleaning chemical rooms
- Exposed to strong fumes from carpet or bathroom treatments in recently serviced rooms
If you’re a guest with:
- Burning eyes, coughing, or skin reactions in your room
- A strong chemical smell that doesn’t clear
- Symptoms that improve when you leave and worsen when you return
that’s not “Vegas air.” It can be a sign of improper chemical use or ventilation.
Nevada hotels and casinos owe their guests a high duty of care. Ignoring complaints of chemical odors or reactions isn’t just bad service. It can be evidence of negligence.
If a “Clean” Hotel Left You With Burns, You Don’t Have to Handle It Alone
If you’ve suffered chemical burns or respiratory injuries from cleaning products in a Las Vegas or Nevada hotel, casino, or resort, you’re dealing with more than bad luck. You may have a potential claim for compensation. At Mainor Ellis Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled. Call at 702-450-5000 to get started.
Source:
leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-041.html
