The state Supreme Court has heard arguments in a dispute over whether patrons of Indian casinos can file personal injury lawsuits in state courts.
Tribes say federal law does not allow it. They argue that personal injury lawsuits must be filed in tribal court or submitted to arbitration.
But attorneys for two families suing casinos for damages contend the 2001 state-tribal compacts that legalized Indian gambling provide for going to state court. Now the tribes are backing away from what they agreed to.
At issue are two cases. One premises liability lawsuit filed by the mother of a teenage girl abducted in 2003 from a Santa Clara Pueblo casino parking lot and raped. The premises liability lawsuit involves a mother and son who tripped and fell at San Felipe Pueblo's casino in 2004.
Reference:
"Court hears arguments over casino lawsuit jurisdiction," AP, March 2006.
