Harrison Tsosie: Navajo Nation's compact holds tribe liable

We must clarify that the Navajo Nation’s proposed compact does not relieve the Navajo Nation or the casinos of responsibility if a casino patron is over-served with alcohol and then, while intoxicated, injures someone after leaving a casino as mentioned in the scenario provided by the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association.

In that scenario, the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association misstates that non-visitors or innocent third parties who have been injured by an intoxicated casino patron are left without an effective remedy.

Contrary to the aforementioned, those persons can find relief in one of the 11 District Courts of the Navajo Nation. Additionally, the Navajo Nation currently carries a $50 million dollar insurance policy for any personal injury and/or property damage claims filed against the Navajo Nation’s casinos.

With these two effective remedies, an injured party has relief.