Judge Limits Aurora Theater Shooting Lawsuits

A judge in Colorado ruled that seven lawsuits filed under the legal theories of negligence and wrongful death against a movie theater in Aurora must be brought under the state’s premises liability law, instead.

The lawsuits were filed against Cinemark by people who were injured and the families of people who were killed in the 2012 theater shooting in Aurora.

Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Hegarty ruled that Colorado law prohibits lawsuits involving claims of negligence and wrongful death on the part of the theater.

The judge recommended that the seven lawsuits currently filed under negligence and wrongful death be filed as premises liability lawsuits, instead.

Cinemark has already challenged existing premises liability lawsuits, arguing that the events of that night were unforeseeable.