Half the thrill of attending a concert of your favorite musicians is the heart-pounding music, vocals and sound effects that go into making the show spectacular. I’ve been to 10+ concerts throughout the years, and although they all forced me to scream into my friend’s ear who was standing next to me just to be heard, I always thought the ringing ears justified the adrenaline I felt when I not only heard my favorite singer, but was able to watch them perform right in front of my eyes.
Apparently one mother who attended Justin Bieber’s concert in July 2010 with her daughter experienced a little too much sound and performance, because she is suing the Biebs, his label (Island Def Jam Records), the concert promoter and the arena in the suit for the “loss of quality of life and permanent disability and impairment to both of my ears.” She is suing for $9.2 million after suffering hearing loss, severe tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hyperacusis (oversensitivity to sound) in both ears from attending his show!
Stacey Wilson Betts explains that ”[Bieber] climbed into a heart shaped, aluminum/steel gondola and was pulled out over the crowd,” creating a “wave like effect of screaming” that “enticed the crowd into a frenzy of screams by continuously waving his arms in a quick and upward motion,” Betts said in the documents. It’s pretty crazy that the concert left her with permanent damage, and depending on how the lawsuit shakes out, this might mark the start of sound limitations at concerts from now on. I’m just speculating, though.
What do you think about this controversial lawsuit? Do you think this damaged mother stands a chance against Justin Bieber and company?
guest
Really now? New flash: concerts are loud.
guest
“ Do you think this damaged mother stands a chance against Justin Bieber and company?“
Definitely damaged, and not just in the ears. If she wins, though, it’s going to have a chilling effect on almost every band/musician out there that does a gig, with the exception of maybe Coldplay or Enya.
guest
She should’ve known his main audience is screaming tween girls. Especially since she has one herself. If I were her, I’d have brought earplugs.
guest
She should have taken earplugs. Stupid woman.
guest
I’m having a good laugh. She didn’t think the concert was going to be quiet, did she? Especially since she will be surrounded by screaming little girls, she should have considered bringing ear plugs to the concert. Now they will have to print more fine print on the show tickets because of her. ”Coffee may be hot. Handle with caution.”
guest
just when you think you’ve seen the dumbest lawsuit.
guest
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard today. Good luck, lady. I’d be incredibly surprised if she won.
guest
the funny thing is she’s not even complaining about the music, really – she’s complaining about the people screaming hahaha
guest
Well, it sounds like her hearing lose was caused by the screaming fans, NOT the volume of the music. So I don’t see how she has a case against any of those parties since they can’t control how loudly girls scream.
guest
I hope she wins!
guest
Pre existing condition. It’ll get thrown out. Bieber fans already have to have some sort of hearing impairment.
guest
That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. That woman is just after some money.
guest
Unless her hearing is so ruined that ear plugs couldn’t have helped her, she’s just another idiot looking to make a buck. I hope she loses.
guest
They make these things? They’re called ear plugs? Or sound-reducing headphones? They work, she should look into them. I was dragged to a Hedley concert and the tweens screaming definitely drowned out the actual concert, was I half deaf afterwards? Yeah, but that’s what *I* get for being there!
daisy / 502 posts
I guess she needs to sue the fans. Ridiculous lawsuit.
magnolia / 1066 posts
This is the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. How did Justin force those girls to scream their heads off?