I will start off by saying that this is a complex legal situation. I am going to do my absolute best to consolidate the information into a digestible article highlighting exactly what the countersuits filed by MGM resorts entails and their reasons for filing them. For a complete and very long break down of this developing story, check out this article from Newsweek.
MGM Resorts Sues More Than 1,000 Route 91 Shooting Victims
In a twist that seems outrageous to the average citizen, MGM Resorts has sued over 1000 victims of the Route 91 Music Festival massacre that occurred in October of 2017.
While the headline is grim, this was a move anticipated by most legal experts. These countersuits ask for liability cases against the hotel to be dismissed. It is an attempt to move the litigation to the federal level in hopes of consolidating the 1000+ lawsuits against the hotel into one class-action lawsuit.
This move comes as MGM Resorts has proven that the security they had on staff for the event was approved by Homeland Security, which in theory should remove liability form the hotel in which Stephen Paddock plotted and carried out the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
MGM Resorts Releases Statement
In a statement to 8 News Now, MGM spokeswoman Debra DeShong explained the countersuits:
“The unforeseeable events of October 1 affected thousands of people in Las Vegas and throughout North America.
“From the day of this tragedy, we have focused on the recovery of those impacted by the despicable act of one evil individual. While we expected the litigation that followed, we also feel strongly that victims and the community should be able to recover and find resolution in a timely manner.
“Congress provided that the Federal Courts were the correct place for such litigation relating to incidents of mass violence like this one where security services approved by the Department of Homeland Security were provided.
“The Federal Court is an appropriate venue for these cases and provides those affected with the opportunity for a timely resolution. Years of drawn-out litigation and hearings are not in the best interest of victims, the community and those still healing.”
What Comes Next
Needless to say, the attorneys representing the victims of the shooting are outraged by the move from MGM Resorts. They believe it is nothing but “judge shopping”, as elevating the case to the federal level could have the lawsuits heard by a judge more likely to side with MGM.
As of now it is a waiting game to see how litigation is handled and whether the cases will move to a higher court. Authorities still have not determined a motive behind the attack.