Baseball Team, Vendor Sued Over Alcohol-Fueled Harassment September 28, 2005
News Summary
A man who was assaulted by drunken fans at a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field is suing the baseball team and its alcohol vendor, Aramark, Inc., USA Today reported Sept. 27.Boulder, Colo., resident Jeff Black was attending a game with his 9-year-old son in April 2004 when he was verbally and physically assaulted by two drunk fans sitting behind them. Twice, the men poured beer on Black.
Black has filed suit against the Rockies, saying the team failed to protect him and his son and that Aramark served alcohol to already intoxicated fans. His calls for change are being supported by the Marin Institute and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
"We believe the Colorado Rockies and Aramark did not use proper alcohol serving policies and proper security policies that should have kept this event from escalating into criminal assaults after they were notified," Black said. The suit calls on the Rockies to establish a five-year plan to monitor alcohol sales and improve security.
The team is looking to dismiss the suit, saying that, "The possibility that beer might be spilled by spectators in large sporting events is another inherent risk."
Black said any settlement money from the case would be donated to alcohol prevention efforts. His lawsuit has garnered support from other families who have been abused by drunken fans at ballgames, he said.
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