Man sues attacker, Live Nation over 2012 concert assault
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A Pittsburgh man who was severely beaten during a Dave Matthews Band concert at First Niagara Pavilion in 2012 is suing his attacker and the concert promoter for not providing adequate security at the venue.
Matthew Schneider’s lawyers filed the lawsuit in Washington County Court Thursday alleging that he is disfigured and lost earnings after being “violently and brutally assaulted” while trying to break up another fight during the July 14, 2012, concert at the Hanover Township amphitheater.
Schneider names his attacker, Blake Hilderbrand, 26, Louisville, Ill., Live Nation Worldwide Inc. and the contracted security company, Landmark Event Staffing Services, following the assault that left him with fractures to his face, skull and nose, along with other head injuries.
According to the lawsuit, a fight between two women continued for 10 to 15 minutes without security coming to the area to separate the combatants. That’s when Schneider said he attempted to step in to stop the fight, but was punched repeatedly by Hilderbrand as he tried to intervene. The lawsuit does not say what prompted Hilderbrand to attack Schneider.
Schneider was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment, and Hanover Township police arrested Hilderbrand. Hilderbrand later pleaded guilty to simple assault, while charges of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct were withdrawn. Hilderbrand was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
Schneider said he incurred substantial medical costs, lost earnings, is disfigured and can no longer play hockey.
He alleges that Live Nation, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., and Landmark Event Staffing, located in Pittsburgh, did not provide proper training or supervision to security officers inside the venue, and failed to stop the initial fight between the two women.
“As a business invitee, Live Nation owed Matthew Schneider a duty to keep him safe during the concert by providing adequate security,” the lawsuit states. “Live Nation either did not have adequate security or failed to have appropriate security protocols in place to ensure patrons were safe.”
Schneider is seeking unspecified damages in his lawsuit. His Pittsburgh attorney, Anthony Mengine, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
A worker at Landmark Event Staffing Services said he was unaware of the lawsuit and could not comment. Officials at Live Nation did not respond to an interview request.