Settlement Reached in Final Wrongful Death Lawsuit from Astroworld Tragedy
The last remaining wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the tragic 2021 Astroworld music festival, which resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, has been settled, according to an attorney for the plaintiff.
The lawsuit was filed by the family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount, the youngest victim of the fatal crowd crush that occurred during rapper Travis Scott's concert. Jury selection for the case was set to commence on September 10.
S. Scott West, representing the Blount family, confirmed that a settlement was reached this week. The family had sued Scott, Live Nation (the festival’s promoter and the world’s largest live entertainment company), Apple Inc. (which live-streamed the event), and other associated entities and individuals.
"The family will continue its journey to heal, but never forget the joy that Ezra brought to everyone around him," West stated in an email.
During the November 5, 2021, concert, Treston Blount, Ezra’s father, had his son on his shoulders when the crowd surged. Treston lost consciousness and, upon regaining it, found Ezra missing. A frantic search led to Ezra being discovered severely injured in a Houston hospital. He succumbed to his injuries days later.
The Blount family’s lawsuit was the last of ten wrongful death suits filed in the wake of the Astroworld disaster. Earlier this month, it was announced that the other nine wrongful death lawsuits had also been settled. The terms of all settlements remain confidential.
The Houston Chronicle first reported on the settlement for the Blount family. Due to a gag order, attorneys for Live Nation, Travis Scott, and other defendants have refrained from commenting on the case.
Approximately 2,400 injury cases are still pending from the Astroworld incident, with over 4,000 plaintiffs filing numerous lawsuits. The concert saw attendees packed so tightly that many could not breathe or move, resulting in deaths caused by compression asphyxia. Victims ranged in age from 9 to 27.
State District Judge Kristen Hawkins, overseeing the litigation, had scheduled the first trial for the injury cases for October 15. This trial is set to address seven injury cases. However, it is unclear if this date will be adjusted following the Blount lawsuit settlement.
No lawsuit has yet gone before a jury. Earlier this month, the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Madison Dubiski, a 23-year-old Houston resident, was delayed and subsequently settled just days before trial.
Plaintiffs' lawyers have argued that the deaths and injuries at the concert were due to negligent planning and disregard for capacity and safety. Scott, Live Nation, and others sued have denied these claims, asserting that safety was their top priority and that the tragedy was unforeseeable.
In a related development, a grand jury last year decided not to indict Scott and five other individuals connected to the festival after a police investigation.
