The number of lawsuits filed in the wake of the Nov. 5th Astroworld tragedy that killed 10 people has surpassed 100, including the first wrongful death case to be officially filed.
The complaints – all filed in Harris County District Court – include about 250 plaintiffs and a dozen defendants, including Live Nation, rapper Travis Scott and the operator of NRG Stadium.
Houston trial lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has a knack for making news headlines, filed a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of 125 Astroworld attendees, including Axel Acosta, who was one of the 10 people who died at the music festival.
While most of the lawsuits state the traditional legal language seeking $1 million or more in damages, Buzbee’s complaint demands $750 million for his clients. In addition, most of the lawsuits range from eight pages to 20 pages and serve as placeholder complaints that will be amended in the future, Buzbee’s lawsuit is 55 -pages
Buzbee’s lawsuit also adds two new defendants to the litigation – Apple Music, which broadcasts the concert around the world, and Paradocs, the private medical provider hired by the festival to treat any injuries on the scene.
Legal experts agree that the litigation will be consolidated through the multidistrict litigation process in which the Texas Supreme Court will appoint one trial judge – it can be a sitting state court judge in Houston or a senior status judge – to determine all the pretrial legal issues.
Most of the defendants in the litigation, including Jacques Bermon Webster II (a.k.a Travis Scott), Audrey Graham (a.k.a Drake), Cactus Records, Epic Records have not identified their legal advisors who will be representing them in the litigation. The Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation contracted with ASM Global to manage the venue, and ASM has hired Norton Rose Fulbright as its legal advisors. Live Nation hired Fee Smith to handle some initial court appearances in this matter.