Entertainer Wayne Newton is now facing a lawsuit because his pet monkey allegedly bit a girl who was touring his former estate. Residents of West Virginia should know that this Las Vegas estate, called the Casa de Shenandoah, is a 40-acre mansion with stables, gardens and exotic animals. It had been sold to investors in 2010 and is now a museum and tourist attraction.

The incident occurred in October 2017. On Aug. 7, 2019, the mother of the victim filed the lawsuit with the Nevada State Court and is seeking at least $15,000 in damages. The extent of the injuries is not clear. Reports say that the victim was 15 years old at the time. The mother and daughter had gone on the tour upon invitation, and the lawsuit claims that the monkey was never provoked.

In response to this development, Wayne Newton’s wife wrote a statement to the media. According to the statement, the Newtons are not a party to the attack because they had cut off ties with the business that operates the museum and tours three months before the incident. This business, which took over on July 1, 2017, has also been named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

The above incident involves the concept of premises liability. Slip-and-fall accidents and animal attacks are just two of the more frequently seen incidents that can form the basis for a premises liability claim. Someone who believes they can file such a claim may want to consult an attorney who understands this field of law. A lawyer could handle every aspect of filing and negotiating. Third parties may come in to prove just how a property owner was negligent in fulfilling their duty of care to the lawful entrant.