Arizona Supreme Court Declines to Review Shirk v. Lancaster — ISDEAA Immunity Case Favoring Tribal Interests

Here:

Arizona SCT Order

Petition for review briefs here.

Arizona COA materials here and here.

Trial court materials here:

(2008) 09.24.08 Order Granting MTD as to GRIC Dfndnts

2011 11.30.11 ME Under Advisement Ruling

Federal Dismisses FTCA Claims against US in Shooting of Tribal Member by Tribal Police

Here are the materials so far in Black v. United States (W.D. Wash.):

1 Complaint

17 Motion to Dismiss

23 Port Gamble S’Klallam Response

25 Suquamish Response

27 Plaintiff’s Response

29 US Reply

31 DCT Order Dismissing Complaint

Claims against Suquamish and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribes and officers remain.

Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Tort Claim against Alaska City for Actions of Tribal Police

Here are the materials in M.J. v. United States:

CA9 Opinion

MJ Opening Brief

City of Quinhagak Answer Brief

MJ Reply Brief

The court’s syllabus:

The panel affirmed the district court’s summary judgment in this diversity action seeking to hold the Alaskan city of Quinhagak liable for injuries caused by the negligence of Derrick Johnson, a Native Village of Kwinhagak tribal police officer.

The panel noted that under Alaska state law, an employee’s immunity from tort liability precludes an employer from being held vicariously liable for the employee’s negligence. The panel held that Johnson was immune from individual liability for plaintiffs’ tort claims, both under the Federal Tort Claims Act and the tribe’s sovereign immunity. Accordingly, because plaintiffs sought to hold the City vicariously liable on a non-delegable duty theory for the negligent conduct of an immune independent contractor, plaintiffs’ claims against the City failed.

Eighth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of FTCA Complaint Alleging Abuse of Indian Juvenile Detainee

Here are the materials in Runs After v. United States:

Opinion

Runs After Brief

US Brief

Lower court materials here.

Arizona SCT Petition for Review of Dismissal of Tort Claim against Gila River Indian Community — Updated 8-28-13

Here is the petition in Shirk v. Lancaster:

Shirk Petition for Review

Update: Lancaster Response

Lower court materials here.

Opening Sixth Circuit Brief in FTCA Claim against US (Hannahville Indian Community)

Here is the opening brief in Rock v. United States:

Rock Opening Brief

We posted lower court materials on this very sad case here.

Arizona COA Decides ISDEAA Immunity Case in Favor of Tribal Interests

Here is today’s opinion in Shirk v. Lancaster:

CV 12-0131

An excerpt:

Loren Shirk seeks damages for allegedly negligent conduct by two Gila River Indian Community (“GRIC”) police officers. Because we conclude the trial court erred in granting Shirk’s motion to set aside the prior final judgment in favor of the officers, we reverse.

Briefs are here. Lower court materials here. Materials in related case against City of Chandler here. Here are the materials in the federal case dismissing a Federal Tort Claims Act action.

FTCA Claim against US for Alleged Negligence of Hannahville Indian Community Employee Dismissed on Jurisdiction Grounds

Here are the materials in Rock v. United States (W.D. Mich.):

DCT Order Dismissing Rock Complaint

Federal Motion to Dismiss 1st Amended Complaint

Rock Opposition

Federal Reply

Horrid story.

FTCA Claim against US for Alleged Negligence of Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Employee Dismissed on Jurisdiction Grounds

Here are the materials in Dinger v. United States (D. Kan.):

DCT Order Granting USA Motion

USA Motion to Dismiss

Dinger Opposition

USA Reply

An excerpt:

Plaintiff Tammy Dinger brought suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleging that her husband’s death was the result of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle by a tribal employee who was allegedly working under a grant from the federal government at the time of the accident. Defendant United States of America requests that the Court either dismiss the suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction (Doc. 8), or in the alternative, grant summary judgment in its favor (Doc. 15).

Arizona COA Briefs in ISDEAA Tribal Immunity Case — Case to Watch

Here are the available briefs in Shirk v. Lancaster:

Lancaster et at Opening Brief

Navajo Nation Amicus Brief

GRIC Amicus Brief

Shirk Answering Brief

Shirk Response to GRIC Amicus

Lancaster et al Reply

Lower court materials here. Materials in related case against City of Chandler here. Here are the materials in the federal case dismissing a Federal Tort Claims Act action.