MGM Resorts files lawsuit against Vegas mass shooting victims
MGM Resorts, which owns the hotel in Las Vegas from where a lone gunman murdered 58 people at a concert, has filed a lawsuit against more than 1,000 victims of the mass shooting in a bid to avoid liability.
Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire on concert-goers before killing himself after establishing a firing point in a room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay overlooking a music festival, also owned by MGM.
MGM has filed complaints in Nevada and California arguing it cannot be held liable for any deaths, injuries or damages from the attack.
It says the hotel’s security company was certified by the Department of Homeland Security and was therefore protected from liability under a 2002 federal act.
It does not seek money and appears to be a bid to avoid liability and dismiss claims against it.
But reports in the US say the lawyer for several victims called the lawsuit ‘outrageous’ and ‘verging on unethical’.
Robert Eglet told the Las Vegas Review-Journal: "I’ve never seen a more outrageous thing, where they sue the victims in an effort to find a judge they like. It’s just really sad that they would stoop to this level."
In a statement, MGM said it was not suing victims for any money and was sympathetic.
"Years of drawn out litigation and hearings are not in the best interest of the victims, the community and those still healing," said a spokeswoman.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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