Sugarland Listed as a Defendant in Stage Collapse Lawsuit

The family of one of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse victims has filed notices with the Indiana Attorney General's office listing Sugarland as defendants in their lawsuit. The band "and its members, agents and employees" are amongst the 15 entities listed as defendants.

According to WTHR TV in Indianapolis, Ind., the parents of 22-year-old Jennifer Haskell filed tort claims claiming that "Jennifer Haskell's injuries and wrongful death were the proximate result of the defendants' negligence, gross negligence, and/or recklessness." Haskell was the sixth of seven deaths resulting from the August 13 incident. She died six days after suffering injuries when the light rigging toppled over and crushed fans in the "Sugarpit," an area reserved for the band's biggest fans.

Alina BigJohny, a friend of Haskell's, also died as a result of the collapse. Her family has also filed notices with the Attorney General listing Sugarland and their manager Gail Gellman as being involved, but doesn't clearly list them as defendants like Haskell's family's lawsuit does. Others listed in lawsuits include the State of Indiana and concert organizers and contractors.

Sugarland have not commented on the incident since announcing they'd hold a private memorial for those killed and injured. It's not known if the band has set a firm date for that to happen or if it's already happened.