Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 05, 2021.
Unpacking the Aftermath of Astroworld: Lawsuits and Settlements Explained
Nine of the 10 families of the victims of the Astroworld tragedy have settled their lawsuits. Here's an explanation of what happens next.
By D.M.May 14 2024, Updated 11:54 p.m. ET
The Astroworld tragedy of 2021 resulted in the deaths of 10 Travis Scott fans who attended the musical festival in Houston. According to Billboard, the deaths were caused by compression asphyxia. A Texas grand jury declined to charge Travis with criminal wrongdoing for his involvement in the chaos. However, the rapper has been hit with a slew of lawsuits.
Additionally, the Houston Police Department has since released a 1,266-page report about the festival, detailing the warning sent to event organizers prior to Travis stepping onto the stage.
“I know they’ll try to fight through, it but I would want it on the record that I didn’t advise this to continue,” read a message sent by an Astroworld security contract worker. “Someone’s going to end up dead.”
There were 387 lawsuits brought against Travis, Live Nation, and numerous subcontractors, all of which have been consolidated into a single legal action, encompassing a staggering 2,800 victims. The families of the 10 victims who lost their lives also filed wrongful death lawsuits. However, nine of those suits have since been settled.
The Astroworld main stage where Travis Scott was performing.
The wrongful death lawsuits were settled days before trial.
Jury selection for the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Madison Dubiski, one of 10 people killed during Astroworld, was set to begin on May 14. However, nine of the 10 cases have now been settled entirely, The New York Post reports.
At a hearing on May 8, Neal Manne, an attorney for Live Nation, explained that only one of the lawsuits remains pending. A representative for Travis, Ted Anastasiou, confirmed the news in a statement but did not disclose details of the settlement.
High school students who attended the Travis Scott concert visit NRG Park.
“Mr. Scott is grateful that a resolution has been reached without the need for a trial,” read the statement. “The confidential agreement will honor Madison Dubiski’s legacy and promote improvements for concert safety.”
As reported by the Beaumont Enterprise, the $750 million lawsuit brought forth by the family of Axel Acosta was resolved through a quiet settlement in 2022. Likewise, the estate of Brianna Rodriguez has also reached a settlement in their lawsuit.
One wrongful death lawsuit is still pending. Here’s what happens next.
The family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount are prepared to take their lawsuit to trial. Travis, Live Nation, Apple, and Front Gate Ticketing Solutions can still settle the case, although attorneys for Ezra’s family don’t think this will happen. “The case is ready for trail,” attorney Scott West said (per New York Post).
Rapper Drake, who performed at Astroworld, was listed among the defendents of the class action lawsuit. However, his lawyers argued that the rapper was not involved in planning the music festival. A judge ultimately agreed with Drake’s attorneys and the rapper was formally dismissed from the lawsuits, according to The Houston Chronicle.
That said, Travis may have to face a jury in the wrongful death lawsuit by Ezra’s family. State District Judge Kristen Hawkins will hold a hearing about the case in the coming weeks, and a trial date could be set for Ezra’s case.
