It may have seemed like the Ultra Music Festival had gotten past all of the hurdles that came with last year's event. Next year's rendition isn't at risk yet but promoters can't be feeling too good with a new lawsuit on its hands. Erica Mack, the security guard who suffered serious injuries after festival-crashers knocked over a fence on top of her, has filed a lawsuit against Ultra for $10 million according to Dancing Astronaut.
Crowds without tickets to the sold-out event knocked over a fence on the opening night of the Miami music festival during march and proceeded to trample over it into the festival grounds despite Mack being stuck underneath. She suffered numerous broken bones and a skull fracture and is still undergoing rehabilitation. The root of the lawsuit is that Ultra ignored a consultation from the Miami Police Department that suggested the fencing near where Mack was stationed be doubled up. She alleges that this logistical shortcoming on behalf of the event planners led to her injury.
It's a sensible enough argument. Ultra maintains that it can't be held responsible for the actions of the hooligans who crashed the barrier however.
"We continue to wish Ms. Mack the best for her future and hope she has made a full and complete recovery, but the complaint her lawyers have now filed as part of a lawsuit does not properly recite the facts of the unfortunate incident," the company said in a statement. "Without question, event organizers believe the incident was caused by illegal actions of unknown third parties for which it is not responsible."
There was talk of the annual event being cancelled in the wake of Mack's injuries and the death of an attendee. Local businesses made a strong push for the financial benefits to the city from hosting such a large event and Ultra kept its right to stage. That decision may have little impact on whether the court finds the company responsible for Mack's injuries however.
