Lawsuit Against Live Nation Revived

According to court documents, Sharon Jones filed her initial negligence complaint Nov. 20, 2013. Jones sustained injuries to her legs, back, neck and head after she was bumped by a man and fell down stairs as the crowd rushed the stage. She claims the performers encouraged the audience to leave their seats and “come on down” to party during the encore. Jones said she was attempting to leave the venue when the incident occurred.

Two counts of negligence were filed, one against the United Center, which is still in circuit court and not part of the appeal. The dispute with LN went to interlocutory appeal in 2015 but, before a ruling could be established, Judge Larry Axelrood granted LN summary judgment that said the promoter didn’t owe a duty of care to the plaintiff, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reported.

Axelrood’s ruling was reversed as Justice Robert Gordon wrote, “In sum, without the answers to plaintiff’s interrogatories, we cannot conclude as a matter of law that defendant Live Nation owed no duty of care to plaintiff.

“The answers speak directly to defendant Live Nation’s notice and knowledge of the frequency with which its performers encourage a crowd of people to leave their seats and move down toward the stage and concert attendees’ injuries that may result therefrom.”