Group Seeks Access to Sealed Beer Vendor Settlement

The consumer group Public Citizen is seeking to unseal a settlement in a suit by the family of a 10-year-old girl who was paralyzed in a crash with a drunken Giants football fan.

The parties settled after an appeals court overturned a $105 million verdict against a stadium vendor that allegedly served 14 beers to the fan. Public Citizen claims the sealed settlement violates the public’s right of access to the courts, the New Jersey Law Journal reports.

"This large verdict led to extensive national discussion and debate," the group’s brief says. "The case sparked a national debate about the 'culture of intoxication' at ballparks, and much of the media coverage speculated that the case would be a 'wake-up call' to teams and stadiums that would lead to reforms."