Rick Springfield cleared in injury lawsuit

A New York jury has cleared Rick Springfield of injuring a woman who claimed the singer fell on her at a 2004 concert, causing serious injuries.

Musician Rick Springfield at a book signing event. (Getty)

Musician Rick Springfield at a book signing event. (Getty)

Australian singer/actor Rick Springfield has won big in a civil injury lawsuit after a New York jury cleared him of any wrongdoing at a concert in 2004.

Vicki Calcagno launched legal action against the Jessie's Girl hitmaker in 2007 amid allegations she suffered "serious, disabling and permanent injuries" after Springfield allegedly fell on her during a gig at the New York State Fair in 2004.

A mistrial was declared in 2013, when a new witness emerged, and a retrial kicked off in New York Supreme Court earlier this week.

Springfield broke down in tears as he gave his testimony on Tuesday, accusing Calcagno's lawyer, Kenneth Goldblatt, of manipulating the story.

Jurors also heard evidence from the new witness, fellow concert-goer Penny Anne Nolin, who revealed she had also been knocked down by Springfield at the same gig, but she confessed she had not been hurt in the incident and did not see Calcagno fall.

The jury began deliberations on Friday morning and took just an hour to decide Springfield was not liable for any damages.

Speaking after the ruling, Springfield told reporters: "I'm incredibly relieved. Results like this are positive for everybody.... There's too many lawsuits in this country.

"It's been pretty unbelievable. We could have settled very easily. But I will not do that, especially when I know I'm in the right. It sets a bad precedent."


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world