State of Indiana Settles With Sugarland Stage Collapse Victims
The state of Indiana has settled with 63 of the 65 victims from August's stage collapse before a Sugarland show at the Indiana State Fair. KRTV in Indianapolis reports that of the $5 million available for compensation, all but $2,000 has been claimed.
The estates of the seven people killed when the stage crashed on excited Sugarland fans will receive $300,000 each. The remaining money will be distributed amongst the 58 people who were injured. This money is in addition to the nearly $800K collected in donations after the incident. KRTV reports that the state is still waiting for a response from the other two claimants.
A lawsuit against Sugarland, concert promoters and those who built the stage is still pending. According to one suit filed on behalf of 51 victims (including the seven killed), the band had the final say on whether or not the show would go on. “Unfortunately, this tragedy could have been prevented if the responsible parties had been concerned about the concertgoers that night," attorney Mario Massillamaney reportedly said last month. The light and sound rigging was toppled by a freak 60 MPH gust of wind on the day of the show.