Copperfield magic trick left me brain-dama g ed
Brit sues over a fall suffered in illusionist show
BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN MAGICIAN David Copperfield is being sued by a British tourist who claims he suffered brain damage while taking part in the star’s Las Vegas show.
The 61-year-old illusionist, thought to be worth £560million, has been forced to reveal the secret behind one of his most famous tricks after chef David Cox filed a suit for negligence.
Cox, 58, says he suffered lasting damage from a head wound and a shoulder injury after falling on debris in a construction site during the trick Lucky Number 13.
He said a scan showed a lesion on his brain. The trick involves 13 of the audience “disappearing” from a suspended cage.
A curtain is drawn around them and when pulled away, participants are no longer there – but reappear at the back of the audience.
David says that participants were hurried through a secret passage of hallways and an outdoor area that led them back into the theatre.
It was then that David, from Kent, said he fell. He claims he was injured when he was rushed through a dark passageway with no guidance, through an area under construction strewn with dust and debris, which caused him to fall.
His lawyer, Benedict Morelli, told a court in Las Vegas: “There was a duty by defendants to provide a safe environment to audience participants.”
He added it was “an accident waiting to happen” and “dangerous”.
Parts of the MGM Grand were under renovation when the fall happened.
David says he has spent more than £280,000 on medical care.
He is suing Copperfield, as well as MGM Grand and the construction crew.
Copperfield denied the accident was his responsibility in court. And Jerry Popovich, the MGM Grand’s attorney, told the jury David simply missed his step.
Lawyers for Copperfield tried to stop his magic secrets emerging in court.
But a judge disagreed, saying 55,000 people had taken part, so it was no secret.
The case continues.