The state Court of Appeals had reversed a lower court ruling that initially called for the case to be dismissed.
One of those federal cases involved a personal injury claim involving the over-serving of alcohol at Santa Ana Pueblo's casino.
The other was a slip-and-fall lawsuit brought in state court by a visitor to the Navajo Nation's casino in northwestern New Mexico.
Those who have advocated to have state courts hear personal injury cases contend that the people suing tribal gambling operations could face an unfair disadvantage in tribal court.
Some experts expect personal injury lawyers to opt for arbitration before heading to tribal court, but Hughes said tribal courts are “perfectly competent to handle cases like this in a very fair and equitable fashion.”
Persons:
Richard Hughes, “ We've, ”, Hughes
Organizations:
The New, Native, Appeals, Santa Ana, Navajo, Associated Press, Indian Gaming
Locations:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, The, The New Mexico, Santa, New Mexico, Santa Ana, Santa Clara