Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse Victims to Get $5 Million Payout

Indiana's Attorney General Greg Zoeller said this week that state government plans to promptly pay $5 million -- the maximum allowed under the state government's liability law -- to victims of the August 13 stage collapse just prior to Sugarland's scheduled Indiana State Fair performance. Strong winds blew down the stage roof and rigging, killing five fans, a security guard and a stagehand.

International Business Times reports that the announcement on Wednesday (August 31) was delivered the same day fair and state officials announced they intend to expedite payments to victims from a separate "relief fund," containing more than $800,000 donated by individuals and businesses.

Byran Corbin, Zoeller's spokesman, says the $5 million payout is not an admission of negligence on the part of the state but is intended to help minimize "the expense of lengthy and costly litigation." He adds, "This is a way to get early payments to the victims. Once the $5 million limit is reached, that is all there is."

Under state law, the government's liability is limited to $700,000 per injury or death, yet all claims for a single incident, such as the stage collapse, are capped at $5 million.

Officials have yet to determine how or when the money from the two funds will be divided and distributed.

"I am so moved," the duo's Jennifer Nettles said in a statement posted on Sugarland's website following the tragedy. "Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones. Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families. Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured."

Jennifer and her Sugarland partner, Kristian Bush, resumed their concert schedule on August 18 in Albuquerque, N.M. They are in Allentown, Pa., tonight (August 2) and at the State Fair in Syracuse. N.Y., on August 3.