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Lawyers representing rock group Cheap Trick have filed a million-dollar lawsuit against Ottawa Bluesfest because of the 2011 stage collapse.

In a statement of claim dated July 4, Cheap Trick Touring Inc. named the festival, stage company Groupe Berger and Project X Productions as defendants, along with a Bluesfest and Groupe Berger staffer.

They claim Bluesfest breached their contract by not providing a safe place to play on July 17, 2011, neglecting to properly evaluate the risks or monitor the weather before a 117 kilometre per hour gust of wind toppled the stage, injuring three people.

The statement of claim also said Bluesfest failed to make sure the stage followed the Ontario Building Code, didn’t suitably respond to the bad weather and put economic considerations above safety.

After high winds struck July 8, 2011, the lawsuit alleges different ties were used to re-secure the wind walls, ones that couldn’t be cut with knives like the old ones.

A roadie with Cheap Trick has filed a lawsuit against organizers of the Ottawa Bluesfest and a staging company following a stage collapse while the group was performing at the 2011 Ottawa Bluesfest.

The Ottawa Citizen reports Sandy Sanderson filed a statement of claim May 28 accusing the festival and Groupe Berger and Mega Stage Inc. of gross negligence and "created a situation of danger" by not properly monitoring weather conditions in and around the area. David Lussier of Groupe Berger and Project X Productions, the company who provided video screens, lighting and set up of the main stage, are also named in the suit.

The statement adds both organizers and the staging company didn't follow safety procedures including freeing the main stage's wind walls before a storm descended in the area and didn't erect the stage in compliance with proper building codes. "When the existence of the hazard became known, they...

Cheap Trick escaped uninjured after the stage collapsed during a concert in Ottawa on Sunday. The band were headlining a gig at Ottawa Bluesfest when a windstorm caused the stage to buckle just as they finished performing 1977 hit 'I Want You to Want Me'. The resulting collapse destroyed Cheap Trick's musical equipment and left their driver Sandy Sanderson with a cracked femur after the stage's roof collided into their truck. Fewer than 12 people suffered minor injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Cheap Trick's manager Dave Frey described the horror of the incident by likening it to the shipwreck of the Titanic. He explained to Rolling Stone: (more)...