MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Country duo Sugarland, concert promoter Live Nation and 16 other defendants have agreed to pay $39 million to settle claims stemming from the deadly 2011 Indiana State Fair stage collapse, lawyers for the victims and their families announced Friday.
Seven people were killed and nearly 100 were injured in August 2011, when high winds toppled rigging and sent the stage roof onto fans awaiting the start of a Sugarland concert. Two investigative reports found the stage rigging that collapsed didn’t meet industry safety standards and that fair officials lacked a fully developed emergency plan. The accident led to new regulations on the erection of rigging for outdoor events.
Friday’s settlement resulted from mediation that began in the spring and is in addition to an earlier $11 million settlement with the state.
Some plaintiffs did not accept Indiana’s settlement, but attorney Kenneth J. Allen said the latest settlement with the other defendants involves all victims.
