August 24, 2011
In the wake of the August 13 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair that killed seven people and injured dozens more, lawsuits are pouring in—from family members of those killed or hurt but also from some uninjured people who claim emotional distress.
The Indianapolis Star reports that the Indiana attorney general’s office is aware of at least three potential lawsuits against the state. One of these was filed by a man who worked security at the event, which was to be a concert by country duo Sugarland.
In addition, a class-action lawsuit is pending against the state, the Indiana State Fair Commission, and the companies that made and installed the stage rigging. This suit has been filed by a woman who was not injured but says that she suffered “severe emotional trauma” from the incident.
However, some legal experts say they have serious doubts about the class-action suit sticking. “As it currently stands, I would say it has zero chance,” said Jeff Cooper, associate professor at the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis to The Indianapolis Star. “I suspect the desire for publicity plays a role in the filing of this lawsuit.”
If someone you know has been involved in an Indiana auto accident, the Indiana wrongful death lawyers at Stewart & Stewart Attorneys can help.