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).
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