TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — The U.S. government says it should be immune from civil lawsuits filed over the 2010 flash floods at the Albert Pike Recreation Area that killed 20 people.
Attorneys for the government made the immunity claim in recent court filings in lawsuits filed by victims' relatives over the 2010 flooding.
The lawsuits accuse the U.S. Forest Service of failing to properly design the campgrounds and not warning campers of the flooding risk. The Texarkana Gazette reports that attorneys for the government argue that it should be covered by immunity granted to landowners.
The motion says plaintiffs will have to prove the government intentionally and maliciously allowed camping while knowing that the area presented an "ultra-hazardous" condition.
Plaintiffs have not yet responded to the motions.
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