Brooks Robinson sues Seminole tribe

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[h=1]Brooks Robinson sues Seminole tribe[/h]Updated: April 14, 2014, 5:57 PM ET

<cite class="source">Associated PressMIAMI -- Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson is seeking a settlement of $9.9 million from the Seminole Indian tribe over injuries he suffered in a 2012 fall from a stage at the tribe's South Florida casino.

Attorney Jack Hickey said Monday that Robinson will sue unless a settlement is reached. The case is complicated by the tribe's lawsuit immunity protections, which generally limit damages to $200,000 for an individual who suffers an injury at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.
Robinson, 76, was attending a charity event at the casino for the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital when he fell about 12 feet off a stage that had no back railing. Hickey said the Baltimore Orioles great suffered head, back and shoulder injuries that have forced him to undergo physical therapy and required that he limit numerous paid and charity appearances, celebrity golf tournaments, baseball fantasy camps, exercise and travel.
"He has made a good recovery for the injuries he had," Hickey said. "But he's not the same."
Seminole spokesman Gary Bitner said the 2010 compact between the tribe and the state of Florida included the liability limits, which are similar to those Florida cities have for lawsuits filed against them. A higher settlement could still be negotiated, but Bitner said he couldn't comment specifically about the Robinson case.
"The compact does apply here, as it would for anyone who comes into the complex," Bitner said.
Hickey said the tribe was negligent in failing to provide railing around the stage, which was also a violation of local building codes. About an hour before Robinson's accident another man had fallen off the back of the same stage, yet no changes were made, the attorney said.
If the tribe refuses to settle, Hickey said he will sue the Seminoles in federal court by the end of this year.
"We're going to fight their tribal immunity in court," he said.
Robinson was an 18-time All-Star third baseman for the Orioles. Known for his defensive prowess, he won 16 Gold Glove awards and amassed more than 2,800 hits. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983, was the American League Most Valuable Player in 1964 and was named the World Series MVP in 1970.
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Where Taconite Is Just A Low Grade Ore
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GOOD!! No fan of his one way or the other. But, these f'ing tribes have been given too much immunity & freedom to do whatever the hell they want to do. On their "soveriegn lands". BS enough w/the guilt trip by the US Gov.! Mn is one of the worst. Now let's hear it from all you PC pussies.
 

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GOOD!! No fan of his one way or the other. But, these f'ing tribes have been given too much immunity & freedom to do whatever the hell they want to do. On their "soveriegn lands". BS enough w/the guilt trip by the US Gov.! Mn is one of the worst. Now let's hear it from all you PC pussies.

I agree with you silver BUT , in this particular case it doenst sound an indian rights or soveriegn land issue , it sounds like a state of Florida tort reform issue. ...paragraph 4 says the compact between the tribe and the state of Florida is similar to those Florida cities have to protect them. .... so i guess it doesnt matter if he fell off a stage at a casino or if he fell off a stage at the bayfront civic center.
 

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GOOD!! No fan of his one way or the other. But, these f'ing tribes have been given too much immunity & freedom to do whatever the hell they want to do. On their "soveriegn lands". BS enough w/the guilt trip by the US Gov.! Mn is one of the worst. Now let's hear it from all you PC pussies.

The article says the opposite of what you think. Just because he's suing them for $10 million doesn't mean he has a chance in hell of getting it if the tribe has governmental immunity by statute. Article indicates that the tribe does have governmental immunity just like any other government entity in Florida (i.e., municipalities for example). Since they have governmental immunity, the max he'll be able to recover is $200,000 (assuming he article is correct on the damages cap). And that $200k will be paid by their insurance company so they literally won't be out a penny.
 

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