The organizer of the Color Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast (八仙海岸) water park on June 27 last year, which ended in disaster after colored powder that was sprayed in the air exploded and triggered an inferno, yesterday said that victims might not receive compensation even if they win a lawsuit against him and his companies, because he cannot afford to pay the total being demanded.
The NT$21 billion (US$624.1 million) lawsuit against Lu Chung-chi (呂忠吉) and his companies was filed at Taipei’s Shilin District Court on Friday after 432 victims and their families were consulted to determine the total compensation they were to seek, said Luo Bing-cheng (羅秉成), who is heading a team of lawyers from the Legal Aid Foundation, which is handling the case.
The class-action lawsuit is to run parallel to criminal proceedings against Lu and his two registered companies, Color Play Co (玩色創意) and Juipo International Marketing Co (瑞博國際整合行銷), which were involved in the organization, promotion and ticket sales for the event.
Photo: Chin Jen-hao, Taipei Times
“There were victims who have died, while others sustained burns and other injuries to various extents. The circumstances were different for each of the victims. Our foundation has provided them with guidelines and conditions to serve as a basis for financial compensation, Luo said.
“Some families requested greater amounts because of the victim’s age, the severity of their burns and injuries, and the calculated loss of earnings due to being unable to work,” he added.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the 432 victims and their families who agreed to participate, but did not represent all of the more than 500 victims of the disaster, of which 15 have died, Luo said.
Luo said that his legal team understands that Lu might not be able to redress all victims, “but it is still the right thing to do, because of its ramifications. If the ruling for compensation goes in our favor and if the court finds Formosa Fun Coast, which rented out the venue for the event, and other agencies legally responsible, then we would be able to demand compensation from them as well.”
However, Lu said the assets of both of his companies had been seized by authorities, adding: “I have no money left in my bank account. I am depending on my friends and family to survive day to day.”
“If the court rules against me on the compensation, the victims would get promissory notes from me, but they would not receive any money. That is a problem for the judges to solve,” Lu said.
Lu’s comments caused furor among a number of victims and their families, who said his remarks and irresponsible attitude demonstrated that he was avoiding his obligations and were in contrast to his promise to “shoulder the responsibility” made in front of the media immediately following the disaster.
“He did not visit the victims nor offer condolences. He did not attend the funerals of those who died from burns. He is an insincere and dishonest man,” one victim said yesterday.
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