The recent tragedy at the Astroworld Festival in Houston has received widespread media coverage and sparked conversations about negligence, duty to provide safety, and what could happen for the victims going forward. As the lawsuits pile up against the event organizers and total over $3 billion, personal injury and wrongful death are at the forefront of the discussion.
Injury, loss, or damage caused by the negligence of another is known as personal injury in the eyes of the law. In these cases, the alleged negligent party can be held financially liable to cover medical costs, hospital visits, distress, and more. Read on below about how personal injury and wrongful death are playing a key part in the Astroworld events.
About the tragic event
When Astroworld Festival headliner Travis Scott took the stage on Nov. 5, a crowd surge erupted and caused mass chaos and panic. People were trampled, trapped, and pushed to the ground, and the event resulted in numerous injuries and 10 deaths. The tragedy at the festival was categorized as “a mass casualty event,” with the youngest victim being just nine years old.
Mounting lawsuits
Unsurprisingly, legal action was swiftly taken. The organizers of the event, including Travis Scott, Live Nation, Drake, and Apple Music, have been named in lawsuits on behalf of the victims, including for wrongful death. The parties taking action against them have alleged that the organizers prioritized profit over safety and are seeking compensation for everything from extreme distress and loss of earnings to medical expenses.
Personal injury
Personal injury is a legal term that covers a plethora of case types. In the case of the Astroworld tragedy, a jury could find that the event organizers were negligent in taking the steps to ensure festival goers’ safety. If this is proven, they could be found liable for the injuries. And with this particular case, it doesn’t stop there.
Wrongful death
Unfortunately, negligence can sometimes lead to death. When this happens, the alleged negligent party can be held liable and sued for wrongful death under the law. This is the case with Astroworld, as 10 people died as a result of the crowd surge and their families have filed wrongful death lawsuits against the event organizers.
What to do if you’re injured
It’s the unfortunate truth that personal injury and negligence happen every day, and often so does wrongful death. Whether it be negligent security, premises liability, or automobile accidents, the injured party has the ability to seek compensation to help them move forward and get back on track.
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another person or entity, it’s imperative to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will fight for you and be there every step of the way to ease your stress and make sure you receive your deserved compensation. To learn more about Brooke Boltz’s practice areas and experience in personal injury, click here.