Thirteen of the 17 plaintiffs are from New Jersey. Watch video
CAMDEN -- Moments before scores of concert-goers spilled over a failed railing at the BB&T Pavilion and plunged nearly 10 feet below, performers Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa could be heard on video recordings encouraging guests to flock toward the stage.
Citing the snapped fence and alleged negligence on behalf of the artists and LiveNation, two Philadelphia law firms have teamed up to represent 17 of the 42 people injured during the Aug. 5 accident.
"A safe concert is a concert that is properly planned," said Bob Mongeluzzi, of the Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett and Bendesky law firm.
In lawsuits filed this week, pre-planning and proper oversight is what his firm and attorneys at Wapner Newman claim didn't occur. The filings were announced at a press conference Wednesday morning and, according to a copy of the lawsuit, 13 of the 17 plaintiffs are from New Jersey.
LiveNation did not immediately respond to a request for comment left Wednesday morning. The lawsuit seeks separate sums of compensation and damages for each of the plaintiffs.
Per the suit, the "poorly maintained" fence had been repaired within the last year, albeit in a "cheap and reckless fashion." During the concert, one of the artists can be heard directing those in the grass area of the venue to move closer to the stage and thus, the gate in front of it.
The collapse landed 34 people in the hospital, with lawyers saying Wednesday that the results could have been "catastrophic" given the head-first direction many fell in.
Concert-goers released from hospital
Among those suing LiveNation, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa -- who legal names are Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. and Cameron Thomaz, respectively -- is Bellmawr man Michael Carpenter, who was working security at the time of the collapse and standing directly under the portion that gave way.
According to the lawsuit, Carpenter suffered a fractured spine as well as "severe" foot, rib, spinal and mouth injuries. Also suing are Mullica Hill resident and stage worker Zachary Ogle, who needed 13 staples to close a head wound, and 18-year-old Vineland residents Jasine Andreoliand Marquise Colon, who both suffered concussions and neck injuries.
Other injuries among the plaintiffs include six concussions, one fractured vertebrae, a fractured collarbone, another head wound and other lacerations, contusions and recurring pain.
"These injuries will be with these mostly young people for a long time," attorney Jeffrey Goodman said.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.