A class-action lawsuit has been filed against rapper Travis Scott, Live Nation, and others by families who lost loved ones to a concert-related injury.
The suit alleges that Live Nation failed to provide adequate physical and mental care at the concert, held at Scott’s hometown venue, Fonda Theatre in Chicago on 28 June 2017. Several siblings, children and parents lost close family members and suffered mental health problems after attending the show, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Chicago federal court by six people on behalf of 12 others. Scott’s management company, Roc Nation, and Live Nation are also named in the suit.
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At least four people have suffered “serious injuries” from concertgoers’ contact with a man known as Yung Pun, or Baby, who was allegedly drunk, aggressive and using drugs throughout the evening. Two males and two females reported their losses were related to the events after the show. In the suit, the survivors also request punitive damages.
Guillermo Rodriguez, the attorney representing the families of those who were injured, said Travis Scott and the other defendants “had a duty to provide a safe environment”. He added that although he is not a fan of the rapper, he is focused on getting justice for his clients. “He [Scott] has taken one of the biggest billboards in the country, one of the biggest musicians on the map, at a time when young Chicagoans are losing their lives to gun violence, to essentially break the law.”
In an emailed statement, Live Nation said it “remains committed to providing the highest quality of fan experience, including the safety of everyone in attendance”. Representatives for Roc Nation and Scott did not respond to requests for comment.
According to Chicago police and attendees who spoke to GQ, attendees were trying to “clear the line” to get into the venue, resulting in incidents of stampedes and confusion on the streets, especially near the venue entrance. According to the reports, which were released in October, fans often were unaware that the entry zone was closed. Scott posted a video to Instagram on the night of the show urging people to proceed with caution and not to run.
Video from the concert shows many young girls in backpacks and clothes without shoes walking with arms out, seemingly singing along to one of Scott’s songs before attempting to sprint through the gate.
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Rodriguez said: “There’s no getting around it: this is a crime that took place. There are some crazy acts going on: premeditated and premeditated that you are charging people [for tickets] that are also paying for events to take place. They can’t tell you where they’re going.”
The Chicago city council speaker, Michael J Madigan, launched an investigation into Scott’s hip-hop gig, and city government announced it will be surveying 3,000 hotel rooms near Fonda, as the city looks to shut down venues with a history of questionable safety practices, according to the Chicago Tribune.