What Caused the Indiana State Fairgrounds Outdoor Concert Stage Collapse? In a Word: Negligence

State officials have launched an investigation into the deadly collapse of the outdoor concert stage at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, 2011. 5 people tragically died from the collapse, and 40 more suffered hospitalization. So far, reports blame the collapse on a gust of wind from a Midwestern storm event. But several other causative factors seem to figure into the deadly event:

* Photos of the outdoor concert stage show a very tall and top heavy structure that would be particularly vulnerable to wind and stress and likely to topple.

* Photos show a lack of supportive cross beams that one would hope to see on such a structure indicating a lack of necessary structural integrity to the outdoor concert stage.

* Photos show a single-piece covering tarp, with no apparent slits or vents to minimize the dangers of lift from strong winds.

* State Fair officials and state police ignored their own weather plan to announce severe thunderstorm warnings and direct event patrons to safety. 6 minutes after the National Weather Service said to evacuate and seek shelter immediately, officials issued an announcement that the event would continue on as planned. The stage collapsed 4 minutes later.

* Tensioned structural guy wires gave way immediately in the collapse as if they were poorly anchored.

* Confusion exists among Indiana officials as to what parties or agencies hold the responsibility for inspecting the outdoor stage at the Indiana State Fair.

* Procedures for issuing weather warnings and evacuating the Fairgrounds appear general and imprecise.

* Conflicting safety standards for outdoor stages exist at the various levels of government.

* Inspection and enforcement regarding outdoor stage structural standards can be lax.

These several factors seemed to have combined to bring about the unexpected collapse of the outdoor concert stage at the Indiana State Fair during a storm wind gust. All of these factors speak of negligence. When you've been injured by a structural collapse, don't let the negligent parties who caused your pain get away with it. Hold them accountable. Call us for the legal help you need to accomplish that goal and gain fair financial recompense from those who harmed you, your friends or family.

Experienced attorneys for balcony and structural collapses. Call us if you need help now recovering fair financial compensation after being injured or losing a family member to a structural collapse accident.