Sugarland Named In New Stage Collapse Lawsuit

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 6:29 AM

The stage at the Indiana State Fairgrounds the

day after the August 13 collapse.

file photo

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A massive class action lawsuit on behalf of dozens of people connected to the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair has been filed.

The suit filed in Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis names 48 plaintiffs represented by over 20 lawfirms in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Sugarland, the stage designers and the stage workers union are among those being sued, but not the State of Indiana.

Attorney Carl Brizzi represents Heather Goodrich. Her husband died at the concert tragedy that night.

Brizzi said the State of Indiana is not named as a defendant in the litigation because the state is already paying out its maximum of $5 million without requiring court action.

Although Sugarland had not taken the stage before the rigging collapsed into the eager corwd below, Brizzi claims some of the blame may lie with the country music group.

“It is our contention that they had a certain amount of control over whether or not they went on that night,” said Brizzi. “It’s our contention that there was some insistence on their part that the show go on.”

Seven people died and over 40 others were hurt in the August 13 accident when a wind gust estimated at over 60 MPH blew through the fairgrounds.

LINKS:

90 Tort Claims Filed From Stage Collapse

Sugarland’s State Fair Benefit Concert Fri.

Sugarland To Play Memorial Concert In Indy

Documents: Fair Had Vague Evacuation Plan

Sugarland Named In Four Lawsuits

"Tough Decision" To Make In Stage Compensation

State Wants Stage Collapse Lawsuit Dismissed

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Stage Disaster

Another Lawsuit Possible In Stage Collapse

9 Days Later, Seventh Stage Victim Dies