PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Seven of the eight hair-hanging circus acrobats who fell to the floor during a “human chandelier” stunt in Providence last month have hired a Chicago-based law firm to represent them, the firm announced Monday.
The women were injured during a May 4 performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus when the apparatus from which they were suspended fell, sending them plummeting about 20 feet.
Lawyer Michael Krzak of Clifford Law Offices said the firm was recently hired and had not filed a lawsuit but it is conducting an in-depth investigation into what happened. He said the firm plans to make available four of the injured acrobats to speak at a news conference today at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, although that number could change depending on their conditions.
While one of the acrobats, Samantha Pitard, was released from the hospital within days, some have severe injuries, and doctors have said it’s not clear whether two with spinal cord injuries will walk again.
The law firm said some of the women are undergoing physical therapy. Some are still using wheelchairs, and it’s unknown to what extent they will regain the use of their limbs. Some of the women require more surgery.
When asked about their conditions and where they are seeking treatment, Krzak called it a “fluid situation” and said they’re often in and out of facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.