Even Celebrities can be Found Liable for Personal Injuries
Don’t think you need a celebrity personal injury attorney? Bob Marley once said that the one good thing about music is “when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Unfortunately, this was not the case for concert-goer Jennifer Fraissl. Years back, Fraissl was injured, eventually suffering a stroke, at the hands (or feet rather) of DJ Sonny John Moore, known professionally as Skrillex during a stage-diving stunt gone awry.
It was a pleasant night at the Belasco Theater in February of 2012. Fraissl had gotten front-row seats and reportedly lost herself in the robotic melodies of the artist in question. It was in the midst of this techno nirvana that Skrillex motioned his fans to come close to the stage where he was performing. According to Fraissl, the crowd surged forward, so she was compelled to approach whether she wanted to or not. Once the throng gathered near, Skrillex leapt from his DJ table and launched himself into the audience in an attempt to crowdsurf, and landed on Fraissl’s head. Days later Fraissl suffered a seizure and an eventual stroke due to the physical trauma.
Nearly two years later, Fraissl filed suit against all major parties involved: Skrillex, his band ‘The Lost Boys,’ and the Belasco Theater. A Los Angeles jury found in favor of Fraissl, awarding her damages totaling $3.8 million dollars. The jury reduced the amount by 15%, deeming that Fraissl was responsible for her own injuries to that numeric extent. California is a contributory negligence state, which means that the plaintiff’s damages are reduced by the amount of fault they are responsible for in regards to their own injuries.
According to CA Civil Code §1714 for a plaintiff to prove negligence in California they must show:
- There was a duty on the part of the defendant to either commit an act or refrain from committing an act.
- The defendant breached their duty.
- The plaintiff’s injury was caused by the defendant’s breach of duty.
- The defendant’s actions, or inactions, were the proximate cause of the injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered actual injuries of damages.
Concerts seem to be ripe for tortious situations; artists such as Rod Stewart, Rhianna, Prince, and Michael Jackson were all sued for various accidents during their performances. For artists who want to perform with reckless abandon, the modern legal world is becoming somewhat of a minefield.
A California Celebrity Personal Injury Attorney can Help
If you have been injured by another party, no matter how famous they may be, the experienced celebrity personal injury attorneys at Deldar Legal can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.
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