Mardi Gras World sued after gunshots allegedly incite a stampede, incurring damage

NEW ORLEANS – Three men claim they were injured in a stampede at Mardi Gras World after gunshots were fired.

Dwight Nellon, Demond Francis and Gregory Guy Jr. filed suit against Sleeping Giant Enterprises LLC, Mardi Gras World LLC, Blain Kern’s Mardi Gras World Inc.and their insurers in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Feb. 16.

On March 4, 2014, Nellon, Francis, and Guy, were attending a concert at Mardi Gras World located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Place in New Orleans. The event was promoted and sponsored by Sleeping Giant Enterprises and was held inside the concert ballroom at Mardi Gras World where during the course of the show, gunshots erupted, resulting in widespread panic amongst the crowd.

The petitioners claim a second round of gunshots were fired in the outside parking lot inciting a stampede. Consequently, the plaintiffs claim they were trampled and suffered acute personal injuries.

The defendants are accused of failing to provide adequate security, sustain a safe environment, properly train personnel on crowd control, institute the proper security procedures, design a suitable security plan and prevent a hazardous condition.

The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount in damages for pain and suffering, mental agony, emotional turmoil, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, disabilities and loss of consortium.

Attorney Eric A. Wright represents the petitioners.

The case has been assigned to Div. J Judge Paula A. Brown.

Case no. 2015-01442.