Sugarland Insurer Files New Lawsuit in Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse

It's been two years since a tragic stage collapse at a Sugarland show in Indianapolis resulted in seven deaths and dozens of injuries, but the lawsuits continue to wind their way through the court system.

Moments before the deadline to file a new lawsuit, on the second anniversary of the accident on Aug. 13, the company that insured the band's musical equipment filed suit against multiple parties. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. sued for compensation related to the collapse of stage rigging at the Indiana State Fair, where the stage collapse occurred.

According to the Indy Star, the lawsuit, which claims that the stage rigging was improperly erected when the 60 MPH winds blew it over, names the State of Indiana, the Indiana State Fair Commission, Thomas Engineering of Tennessee, Mid-America Sound Corp. of Greenfield, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 30, and several companies that helped design the stage among their list of defendants.

Fireman's claims both negligence and product liability, and says the state violated its contract to keep both the band and their equipment safe.

While Sugarland have not been named in this lawsuit, they still have to face their own day in court following the deadly accident. Legal proceedings for the duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush will begin in February of 2014, and will determine if they should hold any liability for the stage collapse.

The duo returned to Indiana two months after the accident to perform a free concert for those affected by the accident. “We are here in October -- we were supposed to do this show in August. Obviously, the stage is different, you are different and we are different,” Nettles shared during the show. “We are all changed by what happened then. But we are going to try to give you the best show that we can and to celebrate healing with you and to celebrate life and music with you here tonight.”

Though the deadline to file lawsuits has now passed, more suits could still be filed if they were mailed in and post-dated.