But there appear to have been no significant rulings on that front, with the dispute being held up by a bankruptcy proceedings as of last fall, according to news reports.Īs for the Choctaws, the appeals court upheld a $9.3 million judgment against the tribe for the accident. Some attorneys representing victims and survivors have accused the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino, located in Texas, of negligence. Tribe was involved in an accident that resulted in the deaths of nine people and injuries to another 43. While the Choctaw case was in litigation, a charter bus carrying patrons to the casino owned by the Kickapoo Brad Mallett, the tribe's associate general counsel, told The Oklahoman that all options are being considered.įurther appeals could have an impact in Indian Country. The next step in the process would be an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. Though the tribe did not operate the vehicle in question, an appeals court in neighboring Texas said it was 'vicariously liable' for the accident because it paid the bus company and had a relationship with the trip organizer.
The patrons were headed to the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, when their charter bus ran off the highway in April 2013. The Choctaw Nation is weighing its next move after being held responsible for the deaths of two casino patrons, The Oklahoman reports.
