Casino Workers Mistook Dying U.S. Army Veteran for Drunk, Lawsuit Claims

A Rhode Island man’s family has sued a Las Vegas casino for negligence that allegedly resulted in his death. Gary Perrin, a 64-year-old Army veteran from Portsmouth, was visiting Caesars Palace casino in late November 2024, when he began feeling ill.

According to his family, Perrin showed visible symptoms of discomfort, including dizziness, sweating, double vision, and vomiting. But the Casino workers thought he was intoxicated. Instead of calling the medical services available on-site, they allegedly booked a cab for Perrin.

The lawsuit states that the delay in medical attention worsened Perrin's condition, and he died on December 15, 2024. The complaint reads, “Due to, but not limited to, a lack of training, a lack of supervision, laziness, being overworked and tired, profiling, and or a lack of policies and procedures, it was presumed, incorrectly, that Perrin was intoxicated.”

Highlighting how the casino ignored Perrin’s severe symptoms, the complaint states, “Despite the knowledge of [Perrin's] serious illness, the Caesars defendants did not render immediate and/or reasonable medical attention … nor did they take steps to call for medical attention.”

Perrin’s estate said casino workers’ decision to “call an Uber/Lyft instead of onsite paramedics or EMR transport [led to a] critical delay of medical care that ultimately led to, caused, or contributed substantially to his death.”

While the lawsuit does not list an official cause of death, the estate said Perrin suffered critical injuries, including surgical scars and disfigurement, that caused pain and suffering and ultimately led to his death.

The suit was filed against Caesars Entertainment on February 18,2025, alleging negligence and negligent hiring, training, retention, and supervision. Plaintiffs seek at least $15,000 in general, special, and punitive damages.

The amount will also cover special damages such as loss of probable support, companionship, and comfort; damages for pain and suffering; medical expenses sustained before the death; attorney’s fees, and pecuniary damages for the plaintiff’s grief or sorrow.

Perrin’s family released an obituary describing him as a proud U.S. Army veteran who served for four years. He later worked as a United Parcel Service employee, a high school football coach, and a driver.

His loved ones said Perrin enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, such as “watching Patriots games on Sundays, often with his dog Sophie by his side. In addition to his love for football, Gary cherished vacations with family and friends in the Caribbean, cooking delicious meals, making jokes, and spending time with those he loved.”

Perrin was married to his wife, Laura Perrin, for 29 years before his death. He is survived by Laura, their daughter Maggie, his sister Patricia Swanson, brother-in-law Sven Swanson, several nieces and nephews, and his dog Sophie. Caesars Entertainment has not yet issued a statement in response to the lawsuit.