What happens if you are injured while attending a magic performance? One victim who suffered a slip and fall injury while attending a David Copperfield magic show is asking the courts to answer just this very question. During David Copperfield’s magic show, random audience members are selected to participate in the performance. During the magic trick, the audience member is made to “disappear” and then “reappear” at the back of an auditorium. Yet, during one performance, something went terribly wrong. An audience member claims that he tripped backstage, hurting his head, which led to brain injury and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the audience member was allegedly hurried through a dark unfamiliar corridor, with unexpected inclines, and dust and debris. Premises owners generally have a responsibility to keep floors free of debris and to warn invitees about potential hazards. However, the audience member selected to participate in the magic trick claimed that there was no time to prepare him for the hazards he would encounter backstage. Slip and fall injuries can be quite serious. Victims can suffer head injuries, broken, hips, broken bones, back injuries, and worse.
The slip and fall case got national attention when a judge ordered Copperfield to reveal how he performed the trick. Copperfield claimed that the trick was a trade secret. Magicians are very protective of the secrets behind their illusions. Yet, a judge ordered that Copperfield reveal the trick to the court because other individuals selected at random also knew how the trick was performed. It was deemed important to understand how audience members were managed backstage while the trick was underway.
The case pits a company’s rights to its trade secrets with an injured individual’s right to the discovery process. The judge ruled that the individual who had been injured had a right to reveal the secret. So, what happened? According to the NYPost, after 13 audience members were placed in a suspended cage, a curtain came down over the cage. At this point, the injured audience member claimed that “all hell broke loose.” The magician’s team hurried the audience members down an unfamiliar secret passageway. The fans were asked to run. During the portion of the trick, where the audience members were asked to run, one of the fans tripped and hit his head. He claims permanent brain damage as a result.
The accident is tragic. In addition to the brain injury, the audience member reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder. Property owners and events managers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their guests, audience, or visitors. If you have been injured due to another person’s negligence or neglect, you may have important rights under the law. The Law Office of Robert Gregg are personal injury lawyers in Dallas, Texas who may be able to help you seek the damages you are entitled to receive under the law. You may be entitled to seek damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.