Court upholds dismissal of Palace worker’s suit against Pacers’ O’Neal, Harrison over brawl

Court upholds dismissal of suit against 2 Pacers

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Michigan Court of Appeals has refused to revive a lawsuit by a Palace of Auburn Hills employee against two Indiana Pacers players over her injuries in a 2004 brawl.

The court released a decision Wednesday upholding an Oakland County judge’s decision to throw out the case against then-Pacers players Jermaine O’Neal and David Harrison and the team itself.

The Nov. 19, 2004, brawl involved players and fans at a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons.

Palace worker Julie Socia was hurt when a spectator threw a chair. She said the defendants had a duty not to endanger her, while the defendants say a third party was responsible.