Court upholds dismissal of Pacers brawl suit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a decision dismissing 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 sustaining 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 as she was clearing a tunnel so players could leave. She said the defendants had a duty not to endanger her, while the defendants say a third party was responsible.