Cinemark, the 2nd largest movie theater chain in the world, owns the Colorado movie theater where the 2012 Aurora massacre took place that left 12 people dead and 70 injured. The multi-billion corporation is now demanding $700k from some of the victims and family members. The amount is for the bill of costs/legal fees after Cinemark won the case that ruled the theater could not have prevented the tragedy. Some of the plaintiffs who survived the massacre, in time of grief, were led to believe security cameras and security guards would have dissuaded James Holmes from carrying out the slaughter. We’ll never know. Sadly, these victims were most likely duped by “ambulance-chasers” who encouraged the victims to sue by convincing them they had a good case.
Colorado law does allow the winner of a civil suit to sue for legal fees and the attorneys intend to fight to the end. John Ingfold with the Denver Post writes:
Just because Cinemark has asked for the money doesn’t mean the victims will ultimately have to pay it. Judges must still approve the final totals in both cases.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Arapahoe County case have said they are considering an appeal of the verdict, the outcome of which could swing the cost debate. And, in other civil cases, it is not uncommon for the winning side to drop its cost demands in exchange for no appeal being filed.
Everything about this is sad. The massacre itself, the way the victims died, the trauma that will live with the surviving victims and their families, the fact that a multi-billion-dollar corporation and its wealthy attorneys are seeking $700k from victims who were led to believe they had a good case, and the cold reality that America now averages one mass shooting per day. Let it go Cinemark. The victims and families have suffered enough. This is pocket change to you. Let it go.
Sign the petition below if you agree Cinemark should drop this case against Aurora victims immediately:
Sign the pledge HERE to Boycott Cinemark Theaters until they drop the $700k demand against the Aurora victims.
Correction: Cinemark is seeking/demanding $700k for the legal fees and/or “bill of costs.” The legal action is derived from a lawsuit, but not, of itself, a lawsuit. Apologies for the error.