World famous magician David Copperfield has been forced to reveal how he pulls off his "Lucky #13" vanishing trick after a negligence lawsuit was filed against him by an audience member who participated in one of his shows.
Gavin Cox, 58, attended Mr Copperfield's performance in Las Vegas in 2013 and was one of 13 random participants to join the magician on-stage for the trick, which starts with a curtain being flung over the group.
The trick usually continues with Mr Copperfield alerting the audience to turn around and look at the back of the room, where the 13 audience members are standing.
Mr Cox filed a lawsuit against Mr Copperfield and the show's host MGM Grand casino, alleging he was hurt during the performance.
The legal teams for Mr Copperfield and the casino argued that details of the famous trick should be closed to the public and media.
The magician's lawyers said revealing how the vanishing trick worked would financially hurt the magician.
Mr Copperfield is believed to be worth nearly $1.3 billion, according to Forbes.
But the judge ruled that thousands of people have already participated in the trick and already know its mechanics, which resulted in the show's producer Chris Kenner explaining the trick in court.
Lucky #13 secret revealed
As the curtains drop, stagehands equipped with flashlights guide the 13 participants off-stage through hidden passageways. This involves the audience members exiting and re-entering the building.
Mr Cox claimed the passageway was filled with dust and debris, but the MGM Grand lawyers claimed they were clear.
Mr Cox alleged that he fell during the act and was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. After suffering from chronic back pain, doctors discovered a lesion on his brain.
Mr Cox claims his medical bills totaled more than $US400,000, according to the NBC.
The MGM Grand's lawyer Jerry Popovich claimed: "Mr Cox did not slip, he tripped" describing the incident occurred metres before re-entering the building.
The case continues.
