LAKEVILLE — Three Lakeville residents are among nine New Englanders who have filed suit after reportedly being caught in a brawl on a ferry from Block Island that resulted in physical, emotional and psychological damages, according to legal documents.

A suit was filed Tuesday, Aug. 8 in Rhode Island District Court, exactly one year after a reggae festival at Ballard’s hotel/resort complex in New Shoreham, R.I. on Block Island resulted in a brawl on the dock and inside the ferry. The bloody fight resulted from large  crowds that “overwhelmed’’ security and resulted in patrons being “overserved,’’ the suit states.

The Lakeville residents filing suit are Patrick Stewart, Hui Cao and her child, who was listed only as “Jane Doe.’’ The suit alleges negligence  against Ballard’s; the Block Island Ferry; and 11 people who were subsequently arrested after the incident. 

Several altercations broke out at the festival, the suit states, and the event was stopped earlier than announced. This led to about 3,000 people waiting on the docks for ferries, “Including some actively engaged in physical altercations.’’ 

On the ferry, the lawsuit alleges, a large fight broke out on the top deck, resulting in “multiple people’’ being stabbed.

Some of those filing suit had “excessive blood spilled all over’’ them. A minor asked his aunt if “they were going to die’’ and was covered with a sheet by family members to protect him from blood, the lawsuit states.

The suit charges Ballard’s with gross negligence. Complaints include failing to properly staff the bar; failing to check customers for weapons; overcrowding the facility and shutting down the facility early without proper notice to police and the ferry company.

Block Island Ferry is also being sued for gross negligence for failure to provide adequate security; failure to prevent unruly passengers from boarding; leaving the dock while altercations ensued on board; and failure to provide adequate crew, security and safety measures, among other charges.

The suit also charges the individuals who subsequently were arrested with intentional assault and battery and negligence. The lawsuit charges that they failed to act in a safe and reasonable manner by becoming intoxicated; carrying weapons on the dock and ferry; and assaulting some of the plaintiffs, among other complaints.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and are requesting a jury trial.