MGM Resorts files suit against over 1,000 victims of 2017 Las Vegas shooting
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Over nine months after Stephen Paddock opened fire on a Las Vegas outdoor concert, killing 58 and wounding more than 800, over 1,000 victims of the massacre find themselves named defendants in a series of federal lawsuits. Claiming that they have the “besMGM Resorts files suit against over 1,000 victims of 2017 Las Vegas shooting
Over nine months after Stephen Paddock opened fire on a Las Vegas outdoor concert, killing 58 and wounding more than 800, over 1,000 victims of the massacre find themselves named defendants in a series of federal lawsuits. Claiming that they have the “best interest of the victims” in mind, MGM Resorts International seeks to be relieved of all liability for the attack, which was executed from two suites in MGM’s Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The MGM cases, filed Friday, rely heavily on the 2002 federal SAFETY Act, which was designed to combat corporate reluctance to engage in anti-terrorism efforts after the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in 2001. Yes, companies were hesitant to try counter terrorism in their own buildings back then. Really. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the private sector was extremely reluctant to deploy security technologies and services in civilian settings due to the enormous liability risks involved. Should the company’s technology be impacted by an act of terrorism, the company could be held responsible for any damages. In response, Congress enacted the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act in 2002. MGM’s security contractor, Contemporary Services Corp., is certified by the Department of Homeland Security as “protecting against and responding to acts of mass injury and destruction.” Since Contemporary Services Corp. is protected by the SAFETY Act, the casino giant claims that those protections transfer to MGM and protect them from liability. If a judge agrees that the SAFETY Act applies, MGM asks for all liability suits to be dismissed. MGM spokesperson Debra DeShong released a statement on Monday. “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.” Nothing says «get well soon!» like a subpoena, am I right? Read more