5 extra wrongful demise lawsuits filed in opposition to Travis Scott, Dwell Nation Leisure, and others following the lethal crowd surge at the 2021 Astroworld tragedy have been settled, together with one which was going to trial this week, reviews The Related Press. Phrases of the assorted settlements have been confidential and attorneys declined to remark after the latest courtroom listening to due to a gag order within the case.
Jury choice within the wrongful demise lawsuit for Madison Dubiski, a 23-year-old Houston resident who died from compression asphyxia within the Astroworld crowd crush, was set to start on Tuesday. Throughout a courtroom listening to on Wednesday, nevertheless, Noah Wexler, an lawyer for Dubiski’s household, confirmed that their case “is resolved in its entirety.” No different particulars have been shared. To honor their late daughter, Dubiski’s household began the muse Pink Bows, which focuses on bettering security measures at outside live shows and different occasions.
“Mr. Scott is grateful {that a} decision has been reached with out the necessity for a trial,” Ted Anastasiou, a consultant for the rapper, stated in an announcement. “The confidential settlement will honor Madison Dubiski’s legacy and promote enhancements for live performance security.”
One wrongful demise lawsuit in opposition to Scott, Dwell Nation, Apple, and extra events remains to be pending, which was filed by the household of nine-year-old sufferer Ezra Blount. “Because the youngest sufferer, Ezra’s terror should have been unimaginable as the group surge ripped him from the protection of his father’s shoulders after which crushed and suffocated the life out of his small physique,” stated Bob Hilliard, an lawyer for Blount’s household. Attorneys have been set to satisfy subsequent week to debate when Blount’s lawsuit could possibly be scheduled for trial, however Dwell Nation lawyer Neal Manne stated he and different defendants’ attorneys weren’t prepared. If the Blount household’s lawsuit isn’t settled, State District Decide Kristen Brauchle Hawkins stated she’s going to schedule it as the subsequent trial as a substitute of an damage case.
Dubiski’s household is the ninth bereaved get together to settle a lawsuit over the group crush at NRG Park on November 6, 2021, which resulted in ten deaths and 1000’s of accidents. The households of Axel Acosta and Brianna Rodriguez, two different Astroworld attendees who died, beforehand settled their personal fits in October 2022, whereas the household of the late 14-year-old boy John Hilgert settled their wrongful demise lawsuit in August of final 12 months. Over 4,000 plaintiffs filed lawsuits after the live performance, and roughly 2,400 damage instances stay pending.
In July 2023, the Houston Police Division launched a 1,266-page report on the Astroworld tragedy that included interviews with Scott, Drake, and live performance attendees affected by the group crush, which occurred whereas Scott was performing onstage. Within the report, Scott recalled being informed by his earpiece, “You bought to wrap it up, it’s getting kinda hectic on the market,” however acknowledged that he was not made conscious of the gravity of the state of affairs till later.
Final June, Reuters reported that Scott wouldn’t be charged criminally in reference to the occasion, a choice made by a Harris County grand jury after a 19-month investigation. Scott and Dwell Nation nonetheless face a number of civil lawsuits over Astroworld.
