New York Rangers fan sues bar and assailant after attack www.privateofficer.com

Philadelphia PA Jan 29 2013 A New York Rangers fan who suffered serious injures in a beating from a Philadelphia Flyers fan after last year’s NHL Winter Classic game filed a civil lawsuit against his confessed attacker and the Philadelphia bar that served the defendant alcohol.
Neal Auricchio, a Woodbridge, N.J., police officer and Iraq war veteran, is represented by Andrew Duffy of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky of Philadelphia and Raymond A. Gil Jr. of the New Jersey law firm of Gill & Chamas.
Auricchio, 31, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Dennis Veteri, of Glassboro, N.J., and the South Philly Bar & Grill, along with its owner, Kenny’s Inc. of Philadelphia. Neither defendant has a lawyer in the civil case as of yet.
According to the complaint, Auricchio and a friend were waiting in line for a post-game sandwich at Geno’s steaks in South Philly when Veteri confronted and then beat him because he was wearing a Rangers jersey. The plaintiff’s lawyers said eyewitnesses, included those who videotaped the incident, saw Veteri repeatedly punch and kick the officer’s head and body until he lost consciousness.
The complaint said only 20 minutes before the incident, Veteri paid a $226.70 bar bill at nearby South Philly Bar & Grill. The plaintiffs’ lawyers said under Pennsylvania’s liquor liability law (also known as the Dram Shop Act), a bar is prohibited from serving a visibly intoxicated person.
Duffy said Auricchio suffered a fractured orbital bone and still deals with post concussion syndrome and visual and cognitive issues. He said his client has been able to return to work.
Duffy said his client was prompted to file the civil suit after what he deemed to be a light sentence for Veteri, who pleaded guilty last month in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. He was sentenced to 22 months of house arrest and five years probation.

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