Settlement Close in Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse Case
A settlement appears to be imminent between the two parties involved in the case arising from the collapse of the stage right before a concert at the Indiana State Fair in 2011. The accident killed seven people, injured more than 40 and led to new regulations on the erection of riggings at outdoor events.
The Defendants, Live Nation Worldwide, Dave Lucas Entertainment, MidAmerica Sound, Lucky Star and most of the other defendants struck an initial deal after meeting May 5 and 6 with mediator John Van Winkle. Van Winkle cited the progress made toward a resolution in a recently filed report to Marion Superior Court Judge, Theodore Sosin. According to Van Winkle, the plaintiffs and all but one of the defendants reached agreements to settle, and the parties are in the process of drafting final settlement documents.
Eleven separate lawsuits were consolidated in the case, and the plaintiffs include the estates of three people who died in the collapse.
Scott Starr, attorney at Starr Austen Miller LLC, represents two of the plaintiffs, Lisa Hite and Kyla Brumett of Logansport, Ind. Hite is reported to have had three surgeries for a torn meniscus and severely broken foot.
Starr told the Associated Press that he could not discuss the details of the proposed settlement but added that it was “the best that could be accomplished under the circumstances.”
Explaining the reason for the suit, Starr told the AP, “Unfortunately, the defendants’ ability to pay and various insurance coverages available to pay were not adequate to fully compensate everyone for all of their injuries.”
Why settle instead of going through a lengthy trial? Starr said, “The settlement will enable the victims to receive some consideration now as opposed to waiting years, which would have occurred with more protracted litigation.”
Located in Logansport, Ind., Starr Austen & Miller LLP has a team of class action attorneys who handle all types of complex cases.
Source: Associated Press