Plaintiff Gavin Cox claims he slipped and fell while participating in a David Copperfield trick, and sustained brain damage. Will the illusionist be held liable?
Copperfield (born David S. Kotin) has easily been one of the nation’s most popular magicians in recent decades, but the lawsuit has done no favors for his public profile. Cox claimed that he and his wife when to a show at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in November 12, 2013. Cox said he and 12 other audience members were randomly picked to participate in the trick “Lucky 13.” They were to disappear and reappear as part of the illusion. As part of the trick, they were to go through a backstage area. Cox alleged that this space was dark, and covered in dirt and debris. It is here that he allegedly slipped and fell. He sued, claiming to have sustained brain damage from the incident.
MGM attorney Jerry Popovich told jurors that Cox fell not because of negligence by the defendants, but because he missed a step. Executive producer Chris Kenner testified to being unaware of anyone getting hurt during the trick in the past. So did Copperfield. Nonetheless, two women have testified that they fell when participating in the illusion. One said she shattered her wrist. Cox’s wife Minh-Hahn testified that she attended the 2013 show with her husband, and saw that he was covered in dust after the trick. He seemed visibly distraught.
[Image via 3 News Las Vegas]
