A former Michigan State University student who claims he was seriously injured by fireworks launched at the Izzone Campout in October 2021 has successfully sued the school, which has agreed to pay him $25,000.
The Izzone Campout, reflective of the student section whose name honors Spartans head coach Tom Izzo, is regarded as the kickoff to the men's basketball season in East Lansing.
As reported by The State News student newspaper, 2022 graduate Adam Russell says he was attending the 2021 Izzone Campout when its fireworks show left him partially blinded.
He filed a lawsuit against MSU’s Board of Trustees in April 2022, claiming event organizers “deliberately funneled (him) into a position where it was almost certain he would be struck by firework debris.”
An errant firework debris struck Russell’s face, resulting in a loss of more than 90% of the vision in his right eye, “which is expected to become a total loss of vision, to be permanent, and to have an adverse effect upon his left eye,” according to the lawsuit, as reported by Theo Sheer of The State News.
The incident also resulted in scarring, disfigurement, pain, embarrassment and significant medical expenses, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges MSU “knew of the substantial risks that the firework display posed to the students,” yet “persisted with its hastily-made plans and made the appearance of the display being safe.” It argues Russell’s bodily integrity was violated by MSU’s alleged negligence.
According to The State News, several students received minor burns and blisters from falling debris.
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Per Sheer's reporting:
MSU requested that the case be dismissed, arguing that Russell did not have evidence to support the complaint’s claim that the university had acted “deliberately indifferent” toward the safety of students at the event, but the Michigan Court of Claims rejected that request.
The university also included a signed affidavit from MSUPD fire marshal Thomas Miller, responsible for supervising the safety of the firework display.
Miller testified students were situated approximately 200 feet away from the launch site, which was more than the 150 foot safety zone requested by the fireworks manufacturers and the 70 foot zone recommended by the National Fire Protection Association for fireworks of a higher caliber.
According to The State News, Russell has lawsuits pending with the fireworks manufacturer.
