Top 8 Celebrity Personal Injury Lawsuits

October 7, 2015 | J. Price McNamara
Top 8 Celebrity Personal Injury Lawsuits Personal injury lawsuits are all too common for many people out there. We talked about some outrageous personal injury lawsuits in our past posts, and not surprisingly, the rich and famous of Tinseltown have their fair share of personal injury cases as well. Celebrities are not immune to dealing with these lawsuits and most these cases can range from reasonable to ridiculous quite quickly. Personal injury attorney, J. Price McNamara of Baton Rouge, LA explains the top 8 celebrity personal injury lawsuits. From dog bites to death threats, find out how some of Hollywood’s most famous personalities have been involved in a personal injury case.

Personal Injury Cases for the Rich and Famous

Personal Injury Case # 1: Dr. Phil - Dr. Phil has made a name for himself by giving other people advice, but it seems even this seemingly all-knowing Hollywood personality couldn’t have anticipated what his dog would do. Janet Harris, a long-time friend of Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw, was visiting their Beverly Hills home when she was bitten by their dog, Maggie back in late 2009. Harris claims that the Korean Jindo attacked her without any warning or instigation. After being bit, Robin McGraw told her husband that Harris would need to be taken to the hospital and he reportedly told her to avoid the hospital trip because it would create bad publicity. Harris was instead privately prescribed antibiotics, but she found her arm was swollen the next day. Although Harris then went in for a tetanus shot and IV antibiotics, her condition didn’t improve. In fact, Harris developed hypersensitivity to the antibiotics, which caused her to lose hearing in her right ear and a tremor in her right hand. Harris consequently couldn’t continue to work and was forced to close down her skin care clinic in Beverly Hills. Dr. Phil has asked the lawsuit to be dismissed because Harris signed an arbitration agreement. Personal Injury Case # 2: Lindsay Lohan - As most readers probably know, Lindsay Lohan is no stranger to the law. She was involved with a personal injury case after a paparazzo claimed that the actresses' chauffeur ran him over while driving away from a club in Hollywood. The paparazzo, Grigor Balyan, filed the lawsuit against Lohan, her driver, and the management company. Balyan and Lohan ended up settling outside of court in 2013. Personal Injury Case # 3: Bret Michaels - This former Poison frontman is best known for his 80s rock hits, but even this macho musician has experienced a personal injury case. Michaels filed a lawsuit against CBS and the Tony Awards after he was hit on the head from a descending backdrop. Michaels claims that he wasn’t given the proper instructions to exit and had no idea about the set change. He broke his nose, received three stitches, and claimed that the injury contributed to a brain hemorrhage. The lawsuit was settled, but the terms of the settlement aren’t known. Personal Injury Case # 4: Joe Francis - Joe Francis, known as the creator of “Girls Gone Wild”, went to court with Wynn Casino and Hotel owner, Steve Wynn. Francis claimed that Wynn threatened to kill him after not paying a $2 million gambling debt that Francis accumulated at Wynn’s casino. In the end, Wynn sued for defamation and won the $40 million lawsuit. Personal Injury Case # 5: Adrian Bailey - This celebrity was a member of “The Little Mermaid” Broadway musical when he sustained his injuries. Bailey’s injuries include a broken back, shattered pelvis, fractured sternum, fractured wrist, and fractured foot after falling through a trap door. He went on to to file a lawsuit against Disney by claiming there were no warnings or devices that could have prevented his fall. Personal Injury Case # 6: Hulk Hogan - Although Hulk Hogan isn’t directly responsible for injuries sustained by a man injured in a car crash with his son, he is still liable as the parent of Nick Bollea, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident. The man who was critically injured, John Graziano, was in the passenger seat at the time Bollea lost control of his car and crashed into a palm tree. Graziano was hospitalized for two years and still remains in a minimally conscious state. Bollea spent five months and jail and Hulk Hogan settled the lawsuit with the Graziano family. Personal Injury Case # 7: Britney Spears - This pop princess was in a legal battle with a former backup dancer who sustained a broken nose due to claims of negligence and battery. The backup dancer’s lawsuit claimed that Spears struggled to nail down any dance moves and hit the dancer in the face after twirling around with her arms extended. The dancer then went to the doctor and learned she would need to repair her nasal bone fracture. Spears said she would pay for medical bills but failed to do so, which lead to the dancer to file a lawsuit. Personal Injury Case # 8: Rick Springfield - On the wackier side of things, this is next lawsuit is a strange one even by Hollywood’s standards. 80s musician Rick Springfield was involved in a personal injury lawsuit when concert goer, Vicki Calcagno sued for personal injuries sustained from Springfield’s butt hitting her head. Calcagno claimed that Springfield fell on her during a concert at the New York State Fair in 2004, which caused her to suffer from disabling, permanent injuries. Springfield denies ever falling on her. In the end, the jury sided with Springfield due to lack of witnesses, photos, or videos as evidence.

Call J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney

Celebrity or not, you’re going to want experienced and qualified legal representation for your personal injury lawsuit. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with serious injuries, contact J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney. Attorney J. Price McNamara has made a difference in the lives of his clients for decades. To get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, contact our office to schedule your free case review.
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J. Price McNamara

Attorney

Losing my own brother, then my father and sister after long, disabling illnesses just a few months apart drove a career change for me. Before that experience, I never truly understood the place you’re in. I never understood the dramatic impact that receiving (or not receiving) the disability and life insurance benefits you paid for and counted on can have on your life especially when you need to focus on family and healing. What I experienced with my own family now drives the way I view my clients and my work, and I will never forget it!

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