A 2016 lawsuit involving eight acrobats who were injured in a circus stunt collapse in 2014 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center floor reached a $52.5-million settlement.
According to the court memorandum, the tragic incident happened after forty-five minutes into the performance, which was witnessed by an audience of about 3,900 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.
An investigation revealed that a snapped carabiner was found at the scene, which led to the accident. Eight acrobats of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' Legends show Blue Unit crashed to the ground, and 11 others were injured, which included three ground personnel.
Two acrobats had severe spinal injuries that left them unable to walk, and others suffered broken bones and internal injuries. The 11 patients admitted at the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence had varying injuries.
The acrobats filed a lawsuit against SMG, the Pennsylvania-based company that manages the center, and RICCA, which owns the center. SMG was responsible for installing electrical feeds, cables, rigging, and other equipment, according to an agreement between SMG and Feld Entertainment Inc., the parent company of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
The lawsuit was presided by Superior Court Judge Brian Van Couyghen and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration imposed the maximum possible fine of $7,000 on Feld and referred to it as a serious infraction of industry practice.
SMG has filed a lawsuit against Feld, claiming that the incident arose from the company's negligence as it breached its contractual duty, and it asked to hold Feld legally and financially responsible for the fall.
