Indiana's tort claims act limits the total amount of claims against the state for the tragic collapse of the Indiana State Fair grandstand stage rigging that killed 7 concert-goers and injured more than 40 others to $5 million. Today, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the state would pay the maximum amount permitted by law. The state also announced that Kenneth Feinberg, the administrator of the fund that paid out claims to victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, had offered his services pro bono to administer the payout of claims to the victims of the state fair stage collapse.
State Fair officials also indicated that a special remembrance fund has raised more than $800,000 to date for the victims, including $554,000 raised from the proceeds donated from the Maroon 5 and Train concert relocated to Conseco Fieldhouse that was originally scheduled to take place at the State Fair's grandstand prior to the stage collapse. Feinberg will aid the fund in the distribution of the donated funds to the victims.
WRTV also reported today that a contract between the State Fair and Sugarland would have required the payment of at least $335,000 to the band even if the concert had been cancelled due to the approaching bad weather that toppled the stage rigging a short time before the band was scheduled to take the stage. In light of the tragedy that ensued, Sugarland notified state fair officials that it would not seek payment for the contracted amount. Fair officials insist money had nothing to do with their decision not to call the concert due to the approaching severe thunderstorm.
