Kerry Deague to sue Roundhouse Entertainment over ADOTG injuries

A Geelong woman who was seriously injured at an A Day on the Green concert where attendees waded through mud is set to sue event organisers.

The aftermath of A Day on the Green in November. The car park turned into a huge bog, with tractors needed to extract cars.

A concertgoer who required surgery and says she was unable to return to her job after a muddy music festival in Waurn Ponds is set to launch legal action against its organisers.

Geelong’s Kerry Deague attended A Day on the Green, headlined by Crowded House at Mt Duneed Estate in November, and alleges she suffered fractures to her tibia and fibula while trying to move through the mud in gumboots.

The 59-year-old is bringing a public liability claim against the festival organisers, Roundhouse Entertainment, with the help of Slater and Gordon Lawyers, in the hope of recovering lost wages, medical costs and compensation for pain and suffering the injury has caused her.

Kerry Deague with her injured leg in a boot. She is pictured with her brother. Picture: Supplied

Slater and Gordon public liability senior associate Alexandra Agathouli said Ms Deague was not the only person injured at the event and that she was also investigating other claims where alleged negligence from the festival organiser had caused injuries and preventable harm.

The Addy last year spoke with another concertgoer, from Melbourne, who said she snapped her fibula in two places at the chaotic event.

Brooke Hallam said she was standing in ankle-deep mud when a man ran up and gave her a bear hug.

Wild weather meant attendees waded through mud and multiple vehicles got bogged.

Ms Deague said the ambulance could not get to her.

Scans showing pins and metal in Kerry Deague's leg. Picture: Supplied

“They said we can’t even get a buggy out to you because of the mud,” she said.

“My husband had to carry me and recruit a stranger to help.

“My leg and foot are still very inflamed and I needed a wheelchair to get around.

“I now have a leg filled with metal plates for the rest of my life and I still need crutches to move.”

The former mental health worker said she had been unable to work since the event.

“I was casual in an industry that requires very physical work,” she said.

“I have a 35- year work history and I am not eligible for unemployment or retirement.

“The medical bills are piling up and my husband, friends and family have had to care for me.

“On top of this, I’ve had to get Ubers and taxis to appointments.

Kerry Deague says she was injured while moving through mud.

“A lot of people assume that Day on the Green would be compensating me, but they’re not and I’ve had to take legal action.”

Ms Deague is looking for work.

She said the event should have been cancelled by the organisers.

“It was irresponsible for them to go ahead with it with those conditions having been predicted,” she said.

“It was a paid event and they did not provide a safe environment for us to be kept out of the elements.”

A spokesperson from Roundhouse Entertainment said it had been in communication with Ms Deague and could confirm that there was a public liability claim in progress.

“As this matter is currently subject to legal proceedings, Roundhouse Entertainment does not consider a comment to be appropriate at this time,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Kerry Deague to sue Roundhouse Entertainment over ADOTG injuries