Sugarland respond to negligence suit, claim stage collapse was an accident
Sugarland's legal team responded to a negligence lawsuit filed against the band, which claimed it was partly responsible for the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair last year, and it denies the band has any responsibility for the faulty construction of the stage.
The civil lawsuit was filed in November on behalf of 51 people connected to the incident and accused the band, concert promoters and the company responsible for building the stage, of failing to monitor the weather and for failing to build a safe stage. The suit is seeking unspecified damages.
The stage collapse occurred on August 13 and killed seven people and injured 58 before the band's show at the Indiana State Fair. Strong winds estimated at between 60 and 70 mph toppled rigging for lighting and equipment over the stage at the fair as fans were waiting for Sugarland to perform.
The band's legal response filed on February 16, according to the Indiana news station WRTV, denied the negligence was on their part stating that they had nothing to do with the construction of the stage and it was not built solely for the band's performance and the the incident was a "true accident."
"The incident at issue in this litigation resulted from a gust of wind of unprecedented intensity, which caused a structure that may have been improperly designed, maintained and\or inspected to fail," their response states, according to the news outlet. "As such, this was a true accident or Act of God."
The response also claims, "Some or all of the plaintiffs failed to exercise due care for their own safety." It also states, "some or all of the plaintiffs knowingly and voluntarily assumed and\or incurred the risk of injury to themselves."
Sugarland manager Gail Gellman issued a statement to The Associated Press on February 21, after the attorney's response was filed saying, "Sadly when a tragedy occurs, people want to point fingers and try to sensationalize the disaster. The single most important thing to Sugarland are their fans."
"Their support and love over the past nine years has been unmatched," the statement continued. "For anyone to think otherwise is completely devastating to them."
Sugarland members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush performed a free concert in Indianapolis in October in honor of the seven fans who died.
See video of the stage collapse below.
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