$750 million Astroworld lawsuit seeks damages from Apple

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Apple's Astroworld statement
This statement replaced Apple's promotions for Astroworld on social media.
Screenshot: Cult of Mac

Apple has been named alongside Travis Scott, Drake and concert promoter Live Nation in a new $750 million lawsuit over this month’s catastrophic Astroworld Festival. Houston attorney Tony Buzbee filed on behalf of 125 concert attendees, including the family of 21-year-old victim Axel Acosta.

“No amount of money will ever make these plaintiffs whole,” Buzbee said. The damages sought are intended “to punish and make an example of all involved” in the event — and to encourage better safety measures in the future.

Every individual ‘will be fairly compensated’

A number of lawsuits have already been filed in the aftermath of the Astroworld Festival on November 5, in which 10 people — including 9-year-old Ezra Blount — died from injuries sustained during a massive crowd surge.

Although Apple wasn’t involved in the event’s organization, it did stream the festival through Apple Music. The company also promoted the concert on social media. However, those posts were later removed — replaced by a statement that read:

Our hearts go out to the victims who tragically lost their lives or were injured at Astroworld and their loved ones. We are devastated.

Apple later faced criticized for not ending its livestream sooner, after clips taken from it — which showed ambulances and rescue workers making their way through the crowd — went viral. The company now faces legal action.

“We filed suit today on behalf of 125 Astroworld concertgoers, to include the family of Axel Acosta,” Buzbee said in a statement on Instagram. “It is my firm belief that every individual who attended that concert and who suffered injury will be fairly compensated. I intend to make sure of it.”

Apple named in $750 million lawsuit

The lawsuit, which also includes Epic Records and Buzbee said is expected to add another 100 individuals “very soon,” seeks damages for “the loss of mental and physical health, and human life.”

“No amount of money will ever make these plaintiffs whole; no amount of money can restore human life,” the documents read. “The quantum sought includes sufficient punitive damages to punish and make an example of all involved in the streaming, promotion, organization and failed execution of the concert, and also to encourage those who engage in such activity to do so with safety at the forefront, not just as an afterthought.”

Travis Scott and Live Nation have offered refunds to those who attended the event, but Buzbee calls this “a transparent and grotesque effort” to limit their liability.

Via: Chron

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