Mistrial Declared in Suit by Paralyzed Stunt Woman
A mistrial was declared Thursday in the trial of a $42.5-million lawsuit filed by a stunt woman left paralyzed after a 1980 crash on a movie set in Nevada.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Howard Thelin made the ruling after jurors, in their fifth day of deliberations, said they were deadlocked. He set May 21 for a new trial.
The civil suit by Heidi Von Beltz, 28, against “Cannonball Run” director Hal Needham charges that a director’s responsibility on the set is absolute. Also at issue is whether Needham was an employee on the set or an independent contractor. If jurors had determined he was an employee, like Von Beltz, he would not be liable for damages under state laws.
Jurors told the judge they had voted 9 to 3 that Needham had been negligent, but 8 to 4 on whether negligence caused the accident. Nine votes were needed on both issues to reach a verdict.
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