CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) – Lawyers representing 17 people injured when a railing collapsed at a Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert in New Jersey earlier this month have filed a lawsuit against the venue’s owner and the performers claiming they didn’t take enough precautions to ensure concertgoers would be safe.
The suit filed Wednesday in a Philadelphia court doesn’t specify what damages are being sought, but attorney Robert J. Mongeluzzi said his clients want to prevent future incidents and deserve monetary compensation. The plaintiffs include 14 concertgoers and three workers, including one who suffered a fractured spine, according to the attorneys.
A partition separating the lawn from a secondary stage set up at the rear of the seating section collapsed shortly after the show began Aug. 5 at Camden’s BB&T Pavilion, causing people to fall roughly 10 feet onto the concrete below.
Authorities have said 42 people were hurt in the collapse, which occurred as the rappers were gesturing to fans to come toward the small stage. Lawyers say concertgoers were trampled and pinned to the ground, causing some to have broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons, loss of consciousness and emotional trauma.
“I can tell you there is no doubt there was a crowd surge based upon the setup of the lawn with no chairs and no aisles, lack of security … and then the artists telling people to come forward,” Mongeluzzi said. “That’s the setup, and that’s the failure.”