Elderly Man Dies Following Casino Hotel Elevator Accident, $2.5 Million Lawsuit Claims
A tragic incident at a casino hotel near Las Vegas has resulted in the death of an elderly man, according to a recently filed wrongful death lawsuit seeking over $2.5 million in damages. Theodore Webber, a 78-year-old resident of Anthem, Arizona, passed away on November 3, 2025, after sustaining injuries from a fall linked to an elevator at the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nevada.
Details of the Fatal Accident and Legal Allegations
The lawsuit, filed last week by Webber's estate in Clark County District Court, states that Webber visited the hotel on October 13, 2025. During his stay, he exited an elevator and fell due to what the complaint describes as "a hazardous and dangerous condition on the subject premises and/or subject elevator." The fall left Webber paralyzed, and he succumbed to his injuries less than a month later.
Named as defendants in the court filing are Aquarius Casino Resort, its parent company Golden Entertainment Inc., and an unspecified elevator company. The estate is suing for wrongful death, negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention. Additionally, the lawsuit invokes the legal doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, meaning "the thing speaks for itself," which allows circumstantial evidence to be admitted in civil cases where negligence is inferred because the accident would not typically occur without it, was under the defendant's control, and the plaintiff did not contribute.
Lack of Cooperation and Emotional Toll
According to the lawsuit, an attorney for Webber's estate, Daniel S. Simon of Simon Law, claims that Golden Entertainment has been "uncooperative" with requests for incident reports and surveillance footage of the fall. This alleged lack of transparency has left Webber's wife, Mary Miller, without closure or answers regarding how her husband suffered the accident that ultimately led to his death.
The estate asserts that the lawsuit was filed primarily because of this uncooperativeness, highlighting the emotional distress and unanswered questions surrounding the incident. Simon emphasized in the court filing that Miller is grappling with grief and a lack of understanding about the circumstances that paralyzed and killed her husband.
Damages Sought in the Lawsuit
The financial claims in the lawsuit are substantial, reflecting the severity of the incident and its aftermath. Webber's estate is seeking:
- More than $2.5 million for past medical, funeral, and incidental expenses.
- Over $15,000 for general, punitive, and compensatory damages.
- Over $15,000 for past pain, suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- An additional sum exceeding $15,000 for past and future grief, sorrow, and loss of probable support.
Furthermore, the estate requests that the cost of the lawsuit be covered and seeks any additional relief the court deems just and proper. The total damages sought underscore the profound impact of Webber's death on his family and their pursuit of accountability.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The lawsuit is currently pending in Clark County District Court, which has issued summonses for Aquarius Casino Resort and Golden Entertainment Inc. The next phase involves the defendants responding in court, which will determine the trajectory of the case. As of now, no public comments have been made by the casino or its parent company in response to the allegations.
Aquarius Casino Resort is located in Laughlin, a town in the southernmost tip of Nevada near the borders with California and Arizona, where Webber resided. This case brings attention to safety standards in hospitality venues and the legal recourse available in wrongful death incidents.
