In a split decision, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned an $800,000 jury verdict awarded to the families of two individuals who were killed by a drunk driver. The decision upholds a state law that limits the liability of establishments for damages that are caused by intoxicated patrons.
The plaintiffs had argued that the state’s dram-shop liability law violated a clause in Arizona’s constitution. Specifically, the law was said to violate a provision preventing legislators from creating laws that could eliminate any right to take legal action that existed before Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. However, the court disagreed, effectively rebuffing the plaintiffs’ contention.
For more information, the full judgement can be found here.