Houston FM named in concert injury lawsuit

A rock concert attendee is suing KTBZ-FM Houston, Clear Channel Communications and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands for negligence because she sustained injuries during the May 2, 2010 BuzzFest XXIV music event.

Sarah Standley filed the suit earlier this month claiming the defendants failed to control the crowd which resulted in a heavy male crowd surfer landing on top of her during the concert.

The sold-out show featured Limp Bizkit and 13 other groups.

Texas broadcast stations often promote and even organize concerts at local music venues.

Attorney Paul Watler with TAB’s general counsel Jackson Walker LLP says there are a couple of things stations should be mindful of when planning such events.

“Stations should periodically review their station general coverage insurance policies, especially in the case of concerts, to ascertain how and under what circumstances they are covered in the event of any onsite mishaps,” Watler said.

“Additionally, getting an indemnification agreement with the concert venue is also a good idea as a station does not generally arrange for such things as security, restrooms or medical facilities.”

Watler notes that despite all the preplanning and precautionary steps stations take for such events, nothing will prevent an individual from dragging a station into a lawsuit against the venue or from being sued on its own.