Kirk Franklin sues for $2.25 million after fall at Memphis Convention Center

Jet, Nov 24, 1997

Gospel star Kirk Franklin recently filed a lawsuit for $2.25 million against the management of the Memphis convention center where he encountered a tragic fall last year.

Franklin filed a lawsuit on Oct. 28 in Circuit Court, claiming he fell in a dimly-lit area as he walked to his dressing room from a stage at the Cook Convention Center. The 27-year-old singer is suing the management, Spectacor Management Group, the city of Memphis and Shelby County, both owners of the convention center.

Franklin was in a coma for several days and suffered slurred speech, headaches, an irregular heartbeat, temporary paralysis and other injuries following the accident, the suit says. Adds Franklin in the suit, he was forced to cancel tour and TV appearances for about a month after the November fall, which deprived him of income.

While he performed "The Tour of Life" with his group, the Family, in Memphis, Franklin took a 10-foot tumble into an orchestra pit after he introduced an opening act and had given a blessing (JET, Nov. 18, 1996).

"We're very sorry that the incident happened," said Pierre Landaiche, general manager of the center.