Survivors, family members sue Sugarland in Indiana State Fair stage collapse

INDIANAPOLIS—Country music group Sugarland has been named in a lawsuit filed by 47 survivors and family members of victims of the August collapse of a stage at the Indiana State Fair.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Indianapolis, names Sugarland Music Inc. and other private parties as defendants for their alleged role in the collapse that resulted in dozens of injuries and seven deaths.

The plaintiffs allege that Sugarland breached its duty to provide a safe concert environment and use reasonable care in the music group's operations, setup and supervision of the concert.

The suit does not name the state of Indiana, which was named separately in other litigation filed against several parties, including the state attorney general and the governor of Indiana.

Weather conditions

According to the latest suit, Sugarland had the final say on whether or not to cancel the performance due to weather conditions. The stage collapsed during stormy weather before the country band began to perform.

“Sugarland was not required to perform if Sugarland determined their performance would be impaired or prevented due to inclement weather,” the lawsuit states. “Sugarland failed or refused to cancel the Sugarland concert despite inclement weather.”

The suit seeks unspecified damages.

Sugarland could not be reached immediately for comment.