What Is the Travis Scott Lawsuit?
The Travis Scott lawsuit is a group of Texas civil cases over the deadly Astroworld Festival crowd crush. Ten people died and hundreds were injured on November 5, 2021, at NRG Park in Houston. Travis Scott, whose legal name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, headlined the festival.
Families of the dead and injured attendees sued Scott, promoter Live Nation, venue operator ASM Global, Apple, and others. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said about 50,000 people attended.
The suits are individual cases, not one class action. The Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized them before one Harris County judge in January 2022.
Why Was the Travis Scott Lawsuit Filed?
The Travis Scott lawsuit was filed because plaintiffs say the Astroworld Festival was unsafely planned and managed. Their petitions allege negligence in crowd control, security, and emergency response at NRG Park.
The first reported suit came from Manuel Souza, a Harris County man trampled in the crowd. His lawyers called the tragedy predictable and preventable.
Hundreds of suits followed in the weeks after. They named the headline performer along with the organizers, the venue, and the security contractors.
These are the plaintiffs' allegations. The defendants deny them, and no jury has decided them.
What Harms Does the Travis Scott Lawsuit Allege?
The Travis Scott lawsuit alleges five distinct harms: three legal theories and two kinds of injury. Each harm is defined in plain language below, followed by what plaintiffs allege. The allegations come from filings and news reports, and no court has made findings on them.
Wrongful Death
A wrongful death claim is a civil action in which surviving family members seek damages for a death that another party allegedly caused.
The families of all 10 people who died filed wrongful death suits. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 27, according to the Associated Press. Reporting attributed the deaths to compression asphyxia, a lack of oxygen caused by pressure on the chest.
The youngest victim, 9-year-old Ezra Blount, attended with his father. His family's case was the last wrongful death suit to settle.
Negligence
Negligence is a legal claim that a party failed to use reasonable care and that this failure caused harm.
Negligence is the core theory in the Astroworld suits. Plaintiffs allege the defendants put attendees at risk. Attorney Thomas J. Henry said they cut corners and costs on safety.
The defendants deny these claims. Their specific defenses appear in the section on what the defendants allegedly knew.
Gross Negligence
Gross negligence is a claim that a party showed extreme disregard for others' safety, which can support punitive damages.
A petition filed by the Buzbee Law Firm called one victim's death the result of gross negligence. That petition sought exemplary damages as well as actual damages.
Exemplary damages aim to punish conduct rather than repay a loss. Texas courts generally require a jury to find the higher standard before awarding them.
Personal Injury
A personal injury claim seeks compensation for physical harm that another party's alleged wrongful conduct caused.
Hundreds of attendees reported physical injuries. The three bellwether plaintiffs chosen to test the injury cases had injuries ranging from a collapsed lung to emotional distress.
Attorneys for hundreds of other injured attendees filed their own suits. Those claims were centralized with the wrongful death cases.
Emotional Distress
An emotional distress claim seeks damages for serious mental suffering caused by a traumatic event.
Attorney Tony Buzbee said many of his clients suffered psychological injury, not only broken bones or orthopedic injuries. Emotional distress was part of the bellwether group's claims as well.
Courts generally require evidence of severe mental suffering, so these claims depend on each plaintiff's individual facts.
What Is the Current Status of the Travis Scott Lawsuit?
The current status of the Travis Scott lawsuit is largely settled, with one Harris County pretrial court overseeing the consolidated Astroworld cases. The most recent verified reporting dates to October 2024, and this page could not confirm later developments.
In re Astroworld Litigation (Texas MDL No. 21-1033)
Judge Kristen Hawkins presides over all pretrial proceedings in the Astroworld cases. The Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is a state-court mechanism, so it is separate from federal multidistrict litigation.
| Court | 11th District Court, Harris County, Texas (MDL pretrial court) |
| Proceeding | Texas state multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 21-1033 |
| Pretrial Judge | Kristen Hawkins |
| Transfer Order | January 26, 2022, Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation |
| Cases Centralized | At least 387 lawsuits representing almost 2,800 alleged victims (January 2022) |
| Wrongful Death Track | All 10 suits resolved by settlement, the last in May 2024 |
| Injury Track | More than 300 plaintiffs settled in October 2024, and hundreds of cases then remained |
| Next Trial Setting Reported | February 2025 (outcome not confirmed) |
| Latest Reporting Reviewed | October 2024 |
No reporting after October 2024 was found for this page. The Harris County District Clerk's docket shows the current count of pending injury cases.
Has Travis Scott Settled the Astroworld Lawsuits?
Yes. Travis Scott has settled all 10 wrongful death lawsuits and more than 300 injury lawsuits tied to the Astroworld Festival, all on confidential terms.
The settlement amounts are not public, so the total worth of the Astroworld settlements is unknown. A gag order kept attorneys from discussing terms after a May 2024 court hearing. The Blount family's attorney said only that the family was glad to resolve its claim.
Two large dollar figures circulate, and neither is a settlement amount. Attorney Thomas J. Henry filed a suit seeking $2 billion for 282 people on November 18, 2021. The Buzbee Law Firm filed a suit seeking $750 million for 125 plaintiffs the same month. Both numbers are damages demanded in complaints.
Most injury plaintiffs settled in two deals in October 2024. According to the Houston Chronicle, special masters were to divide the funds based on each plaintiff's claims.
Hundreds of injury cases remained after those deals, according to attorney Scott West. This page found no later report on whether they settled.
Latest Travis Scott Lawsuit Updates
Here are the latest Travis Scott lawsuit updates, as of October 2026. The Astroworld cases have largely settled, and the newest verified report dates to October 2024. The timeline below lists every confirmed development in order.
Travis Scott Lawsuit Timeline
Scott and Live Nation Settle More Than 300 Astroworld Injury Lawsuits
Travis Scott and Live Nation settled more than 300 Astroworld injury lawsuits in Harris County days before the first bellwether trial. Bellwether plaintiffs Angel Dominguez and Elizabeth Martinez settled on October 18, 2024, and the case of Henry Nguyen was reset. The first injury trial moved to February 2025, and attorney Scott West said hundreds of cases remained.
Texas Supreme Court Lets the Live Nation CEO Deposition Proceed
The Texas Supreme Court denied Live Nation's petition for a writ of mandamus in the Astroworld litigation in October 2024. The ruling cleared the deposition of Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, whom plaintiffs said helped book Travis Scott for the festival. Live Nation had argued Rapino lacked unique knowledge of the event.
Blount Family Settles the Last Astroworld Wrongful Death Suit
The family of 9-year-old Ezra Blount settled the last Astroworld wrongful death lawsuit in May 2024, ahead of a September 10 jury selection. Their attorney Scott West said the settlement covered Travis Scott, Live Nation, and Apple. The terms were confidential.
Nine of Ten Wrongful Death Suits Settle Before the First Trial
A Live Nation attorney told Judge Kristen Hawkins on May 8, 2024, that nine of ten Astroworld wrongful death suits had settled. The first trial, for Madison Dubiski's family, ended in a confidential settlement. Apple's last-minute appeal had delayed the trial.
Judge Dismisses Drake but Keeps Travis Scott in the Astroworld Cases
Judge Kristen Hawkins dismissed the Astroworld claims against Drake and Epic Records in April 2024. She then denied the request by Travis Scott and his touring company XX Global to be dismissed. Scott's lawyers had argued a performer owes no duty of security to the audience.
Houston Police Release a 1,266-Page Astroworld Report
The Houston Police Department released a 1,266-page report on the Astroworld tragedy on July 28, 2023. It included interviews with Travis Scott, Drake, and concertgoers. Scott told investigators he heard in his earpiece that things were getting hectic but did not grasp the gravity until later.
Grand Jury Declines to Indict Travis Scott
A Harris County grand jury declined to indict Travis Scott and five others over Astroworld. District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the decision on June 29, 2023. Those not indicted included security chief John Junnell and festival director Brett Silberstein. Ogg said no single individual was criminally responsible.
Hilgert Family Withdraws Its Astroworld Lawsuit
The family of John Hilgert, a 14-year-old who died at Astroworld, reportedly withdrew its lawsuit against Travis Scott and Live Nation in February 2023. It was the third bereaved family to resolve its case, after the Acosta and Rodriguez families.
First Two Astroworld Families Settle with Travis Scott and Live Nation
The families of Axel Acosta and Brianna Rodriguez settled their wrongful death suits against Travis Scott and Live Nation, reported October 20, 2022. Both were among the 10 people who died. The settlement terms were confidential.
Texas MDL Pretrial Judge Appointed for the Astroworld Cases
The Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation logged the appointment of the pretrial judge in MDL No. 21-1033 on February 14, 2022. The Panel's January order assigned the cases to Judge Kristen Hawkins of the 11th District Court of Harris County.
Texas MDL Panel Centralizes the Astroworld Lawsuits Before One Judge
The Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted the motion to transfer on January 26, 2022. The order centralized at least 387 Astroworld lawsuits, representing almost 2,800 alleged victims, in the 11th District Court of Harris County.
Scott and Live Nation Deny Astroworld Allegations in Court Filings
Travis Scott's lawyers filed a general denial in a suit brought by Jessie Garcia in December 2021 and asked for dismissal with prejudice. Live Nation, its subsidiary ScoreMore, and the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation also denied the allegations in their own filings.
Motion to Centralize the Astroworld Lawsuits Reaches the Texas MDL Panel
A motion to transfer the Astroworld lawsuits was filed with the Texas Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on December 1, 2021, under MDL No. 21-1033. Reporting said ASM Global's lawyers asked that the cases go to Harris County Judge Lauren Reeder.
Thomas J. Henry Files a $2 Billion Astroworld Lawsuit for 282 People
San Antonio attorney Thomas J. Henry filed a $2 billion Astroworld lawsuit on November 18, 2021, on behalf of 282 victims. It named Travis Scott, Drake, Apple Music, Live Nation, and NRG Stadium. The Buzbee Law Firm had filed a separate suit that month seeking $750 million for 125 plaintiffs.
Astroworld Festival Crowd Crush Kills 10 People in Houston
A crowd crush during Travis Scott's headline set at the Astroworld Festival killed 10 people at NRG Park in Houston on November 5, 2021. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said about 50,000 people attended, and hundreds were injured.
What Did Live Nation and Travis Scott Allegedly Know About Astroworld Safety Risks?
Plaintiffs allege that Live Nation, Travis Scott, and the venue operators knew or should have known the Astroworld crowd posed a safety risk. Houston Landing reported that planners allowed 5 square feet per attendee instead of the 7 square feet the state fire code calls for. Using 7 square feet would have cut capacity by 15,500 people.
Houston Landing also reported that Scott's contract carried a $4.5 million bonus for completing his set. The 2019 Astroworld festival had no deaths. The same reporting describes a 2019 after-action meeting where a Houston official discussed ways to reach distressed people in the middle of a crowd.
Officials said the NRG Park operations plan covered threats such as an active shooter and severe weather. It did not include a protocol for a crowd surge, according to the Associated Press.
Scott's lawyers argue he is a performer with no role in security or crowd management. They also say ending the show abruptly could have caused panic, so he finished with one final song. Judge Hawkins rejected his request to be dismissed in April 2024.
No criminal charges followed. A Harris County grand jury declined to indict Scott and five others in June 2023. The parties and their reported status appear below.
| Party | Role | Reported Status |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Scott and XX Global | Headline performer and festival organizer | Dismissal request denied; settled with wrongful death and injury plaintiffs |
| Live Nation and ScoreMore | Festival promoter | Settled with wrongful death and injury plaintiffs |
| ASM Global (SMG) | Venue operator at NRG Park | Named in the suits; its own settlement status was not confirmed |
| Apple | Livestreamer of the festival | Dismissal request denied; reported as party to the Blount settlement |
| Drake | Guest performer | Dismissed in April 2024, along with Epic Records |
| Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation | Owner of NRG Park | Denied the allegations in December 2021; later status not confirmed |
Is the Travis Scott Lawsuit the Same as the Rhythm, Wine & Brews Lawsuit?
No. The Travis Scott Astroworld lawsuit is a safety and injury case, while the Rhythm, Wine & Brews suit was a contract dispute. The two cases share only a defendant.
Empire Music Ventures sued Travis Scott on January 4, 2019, for fraud and breach of contract. The company said Scott agreed to perform at its Indio, California festival on March 2, 2019, for $400,000. It said he kept a $217,500 deposit and cancelled, and the festival was cancelled as a result.
Scott's side told media the company had no basis to sue. This page found no report of how that case ended.
| Case | Claims | Dispute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astroworld litigation (Texas MDL No. 21-1033) | Wrongful death, negligence, gross negligence, personal injury | Festival crowd crush on November 5, 2021 | Largely settled; latest verified report October 2024 |
| Empire Music Ventures v. Travis Scott (filed January 4, 2019) | Fraud and breach of contract | A cancelled 2019 festival headline performance | Outcome not found |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Travis Scott lawsuit about?
The Travis Scott lawsuit is about the November 5, 2021 Astroworld Festival crowd crush in Houston, which killed 10 people. Families and injured attendees sued Scott, Live Nation, and others, alleging negligence in planning and crowd control.
Is the Travis Scott lawsuit a class action or an MDL?
The Travis Scott lawsuit is neither a class action nor a federal MDL. It is a set of individual suits centralized in a Texas state multidistrict proceeding, MDL No. 21-1033, before Judge Kristen Hawkins in Harris County.
Did Travis Scott settle the Astroworld lawsuits?
Yes, Travis Scott settled the Astroworld lawsuits in large part. All 10 wrongful death suits and over 300 injury suits settled confidentially, and hundreds of injury cases remained in October 2024.
Why was Drake dismissed from the Astroworld lawsuit?
Drake was dismissed from the Astroworld lawsuit by Judge Kristen Hawkins in April 2024, along with Epic Records and others. The reporting reviewed for this page did not state the judge's reasons.
Was Travis Scott criminally charged over Astroworld?
No, Travis Scott was not criminally charged over Astroworld. A Harris County grand jury declined to indict him and five others in June 2023. The district attorney said no single person was criminally responsible.
Is the Travis Scott lawsuit the same as the Rhythm, Wine & Brews lawsuit?
No, the Travis Scott Astroworld lawsuit is not the Rhythm, Wine & Brews lawsuit. That case was a 2019 contract dispute filed by Empire Music Ventures, with no connection to the crowd crush.