Aramark Hit With Another $75M Charge In Drunk-Driving Case

Giants Stadium concessionaire Aramark yesterday was ordered to pay $75M in punitive damages for selling alcohol to Daniel Lanzaro, “a visibly drunk fan who later caused a car accident that paralyzed” seven-year-old Antonia Verni following a ’99 Giants game, according to Ana Alaya of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. On Tuesday, the same jury awarded $60M in compensatory damages to the family of Verni, who was two at the time of the accident, “bringing the total award to $135[M].” The jury determined Aramark was responsible for “half the compensatory damages and all of the punitive damages, bringing the total penalty against the company to $105[M].” The penalty is the “largest personal injury award in New Jersey in a decade,” and one expert called it “stunning” for an alcohol liability case. Aramark spokesperson Debbie Albert said, “We are disappointed by the size of the award and we intend to appeal.” Alaya notes it is unclear as “to what extent Aramark’s policies may change,” but Aramark CFO Fred Sutherland said, “I think Aramark will respond, given the case and the (compensatory) award” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 1/20). Sutherland indicated that the damages “would hurt Aramark’s reputation and may affect contracts at stadiums, arenas, hospitals and schools.” Sutherland: “It would have an adverse impact on the reputation of Aramark going forward, and it could have an impact on its operations” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/20).