Rock Musician Wins Oregon Damage Suit

PORTLAND

James Huntoon, a musician and technician for the Sha Na Na musical group, has been awarded $306,827 in damages by a jury for injuries suffered at a performance in Oregon.

Huntoon said he suffered back and other injuries when a flight of stairs that was supposed to be connected to a stage collapsed under him Sept. 21, 1987. The band was appearing at a party sponsored by Nike Inc. for its employees to mark the opening of a new corporate building.

The jury held R.A. Reed Productions Inc. responsible for the damages. Huntoon alleged the company was negligent in setting up the stage and failing to connect the stairs to the stage. Jurors rejected a claim by the production company that Huntoon was in part responsible for his injuries.

Huntoon, who lives in Minnesota, submitted medical bills of $8,367. He also claimed lost wages of $25,000 for performances missed after the fall.