John Hilgert.Photo: Courtesy Hilgert Family
The family ofJohn Hilgert, the 14-year-old high school freshman who died at theAstroworld festival, have filed suit againstTravis Scottand others — and are demanding “changes.”
The suit argues the defendants “failed in their duty to protect the health, safety, and lives of those in attendance at the concert” and singles out what the plaintiffs describe as security and crowd control failures.
The suit also alleges that “gross negligence” and “reckless disregard” for Hilgert’s safety — who is named as J.W.H. in the court papers — resulted in “his injuries and subsequent death.”
“Defendants egregiously failed in their duty to protect the health, safety, and lives of those in attendance at the concert, including but not limited to the failure to provide adequate security personnel to implement crowd control measures, proper barricades, and the failure to provide a sufficient amount of emergency medical support,” the suit contends.
Travis Scott.Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
John’s parents, Chris and Nichole Hilgert, say they want to see reforms made in the way concerts are organized, from security requirements, medical facilities available and the elimination of poorly designed general admission seating instead of assigned seats, according to a press release.
“The pain of our loss from our son John not making it home alive from an event such as this is intolerable. He was a beautiful young man who simply wanted to enjoy his first concert event with friends, whom he treasured spending time with more than anything else,” Chris said in a statement.
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He added, “If this lawsuit prevents even one family from having to go through the extreme pain and anguish that we have endured, then it is the least we can do to honor John’s memory.”
Richard Mithoff, the family’s attorney, also filed a lawsuit on behalf of Adam and Jennifer Cox, parents of John’s friend with whom he attended the festival and who is named in the suit as B.C.
The other boy was also injured during the festival crowd surge, according to the family. Both suits claim negligence and gross negligence on the part of all of the defendants and are seeking $1 million in damages.
“No one should die going to a concert,” Mithoff said in a statement.
A number of suits have been filed in connection with Astroworld chaos.
On Nov. 17, Scott was named in a$750 million complainton behalf of 125Astroworld festival victimsincluding the family of 21-year-oldAxel Acosta, who died after cardiac arrest from being crushed in the crowd.
In an earlier statement, Live Nation said they “continue to support and assist local authorities in their ongoing investigation so that both the fans who attended and their families can get the answers they want and deserve, and we will address all legal matters at the appropriate time.”
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Scott’s lawyer,Edwin F. McPherson appeared onGood Morning Americaand said that there “obviously was a systemic breakdown that we need to get to the bottom of before we start pointing fingers at anyone.”
A source close to the musician previously told PEOPLE that Scott wasunaware of the magnitude of the situationwhile onstage. “The lights were shining in his eyes and he couldn’t see what was happening,” the source said. “He thought someone had just passed out, which happens during concerts.”
This week, Scott wasspotted in public for the first timesince the festival tragedy. The rapper waswas photographedspending time withMark Wahlberg, Corey Gamble, andMichael Jordanin Southern California.
Nine other concertgoers have died from injuries sustained at Astroworld, includingJacob Jurinek, 21;John Hilgert,14;Brianna Rodriguez, 16;Franco Patiño, 21;Ezra Blount, 9;Rudy Peña, 23;Madison Dubiski, 23;Danish Baig, 27; andBharti Shahani, 22.
source: people.com
