A Texas appeals court has upheld a $10.9 million verdict against the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, finding that jurors were correct in deciding that the Choctaw Casino was liable for the 2013 crash of a charter bus headed to its casino in Durant, Oklahoma.
“The appellate court was correct in affirming the jury’s verdict in this horrifying crash. This jury carefully listened to all of the testimony and deliberated long and hard to reach its decision,” said trial lawyer Frank L. Branson of The Law Offices of Frank L.Branson. “Casino operators cannot escape responsibility when they negotiate bus contracts based on the absolute lowest bid without considering the safety of their passengers.”
The opinion from the 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas rejected 15 separate arguments seeking to reverse the jury’s findings. The court agreed that the tribe was liable for the negligence of the charter bus company, the bus driver and for a group tour coordinator who had arranged the casino trip. According to witness testimony, the crash occurred when the driver lost control while arguing with the group tour coordinator as the bus traveled up State Highway 161 in Irving. Three passengers were killed and more than 40 were injured.
For more information or to speak with Mr. Branson, contact Robert Tharp at 214-559-4630 or Robert@androvett.com.