On April 13, opening statements were heard in a civil trial brought by a man who alleges he suffered injuries in a fall while participating in magician David Copperfield’s Las Vegas show in 2013. Both Copperfield and MGM Grand casino are named as defendants in the case.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was randomly selected to assist Copperfield during the final trick of his performance at MGM Grand on Nov. 12, 2013. The illusion appears to make a person disappear from a platform on the main stage and reappear in the rear of the theater. The plaintiff’s attorney said that his client, a British tourist, was not warned of any dangers when he agreed to participate in the act and trusted that Copperfield would protect him.
However, once the trick began, the lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff was rushed through a series of unfamiliar corridors and a dark outdoor area to get to the back of the theater. It further alleges that there was a surprise incline along the route and construction dust and debris on the ground. All these factors allegedly contributed to the plaintiff slipping and falling just before he reached the theater door. MGM’s attorney disputed the claims in court, saying that the plaintiff did not slip and simply misstepped. He further claimed that Copperfield used the same route without incident 10 minutes before the plaintiff fell.
Property owners are required to keep their premises free from hazards in order to protect their guests or customers. A failure to do so could result in a premises liability lawsuit being filed by an injured victim with the assistance of an attorney.
Source: Claims Journal, “Trial Begins in Slip and Fall Case Focused on David Copperfield Show“, Regina Cano, April 16, 2018
