Personal Injury Law

Cook County Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit Filed in ?Transformers 3? Accident Involving Movie Extra Seeks Damages Against Paramount and DreamWorks

The family of Gabriela Cedillo is suing Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks for her traumatic brain injury that she sustained while working as a movie extra on ?Transformers 3? during a catastrophic injury accident. Cedillo, a Little Village woman, got hurt last month when her head was struck by a piece of flying metal. Now, she cannot walk and is only able to mouth her words. She is staying at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Her prognosis is uncertain.

The personal injury accident took place on September 21. Cedillo was driving her own car when a chain linking a stunt car to a flatbed truck broke free and smashed through her windshield and into her head. According to her Cook County, Illinois TBI lawsuit, the mechanism connecting the stunt car to the chain was ?done on the fly,? the welding was poor, the safety precautions were inadequate, personnel were not kept at a safe distance on set, and untrained extras were allowed to drive their own cars within close proximity of a violent stunt that included large motor vehicles.

The Cook County personal injury lawsuit is accusing Paramount Pictures of negligence. In addition to permanent brain damage, Cedillo?s left side is paralyzed and her left eye has been stitched shut. The Illinois traumatic brain injury complaint is seeking unspecified damages over $50,000.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
An acquired brain injury that can occur when the brain experiences a sudden physical trauma, such as when it is violently and suddenly struck or pierced by an object, traumatic brain injuries can prove catastrophic. Serious TBIs can result in cognitive deficits, impaired speech and language, sensory difficulties, vision problems, hearing loss, seizures, chronic pain, paralysis, sleep disorders, bowel and bladder control issues, emotional problems, depression, irritability, aggression, and death.

'Transformers 3' Stunt Victim Sues Studios, TMZ, October 5, 2010

Family files lawsuit over 'Transformers 3' injury, AP, October 6, 2010

Lawsuit over 'Transformers' injury, Chicago Sun-TImes, October 6, 2010

Related Web Resources:
NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes

Traumatic Brain Injury, CDC

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on October 07, 2010 (boomark / email).