Injured Attorney Sues SXSW

An Austin attorney has filed suit claiming an injury suffered at a concert at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q during the South By Southwest festival in March forced him to end his career.

Attorney Richard Fagerberg was one of several injured during a show by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, when a video camera and boom estimated to weigh about 350 pounds fell on them.

The accident happened as OMD was about to play at 1 a.m., according to the Austin American-Statesman. The band reportedly left the stage as emergency officials helped the injured. Four were hospitalized with injuries the paper described as not life-threatening.

Fagerberg’s suit says he suffered a serious head injury and no longer has the mental capacity to practice as an attorney.

He is suing Stubb’s, SXSW, sponsor Steve Madden Ltd., camera operator Michael Brown and his employer, OnSlot Creative, for unspecified monetary damages that include medical expenses and loss of earnings, which could reach millions of dollars. Fagerberg shuttered his practice as a criminal defense attorney after the accident, according to the American-Statesman.

“While Mr. Fagerberg’s injuries are not due to any actions by SXSW, we extend our every sympathy and wish him a speedy recovery.

Beyond that we are not able to comment on this lawsuit,” a SXSW spokesman told the paper. “This is our 25th year, and we’ve never had anyone permanently injured. It’s disheartening,” he said, adding the festival was unaware of the video shoot.