Sasha Baron Cohen Sued Again

When I heard that Sasha Baron Cohen was making another movie, I was wondering how long it would take for him to be sued.  After “Borat” and the ensuing lawsuits, I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened.  Turns out I was right.  Cohen’s new movie, Bruno, is set to be released on July 10, 2009.  It centers around one of Cohen’s characters from Da Ali G show.  The character is an Austrian fashion-reporter who happens to be homosexual.  The movie follows the same concept as Borat, where Cohen doesnt tell the indiviudals he interacts with that his character is fake and that they are being filmed for a movie.  He then puts them in uncomfortable situations and asks uncomfortable questions.

The lawsuit in question was filed against Cohen, Universal Studios and others.  It centers on a Bingo incident between Bruno and Richelle Olsen.  Olsen claims in the suit that Cohen showed up as Bruno at a charity bingo event and pushed her. She then fell and claims that cameramen surrounded her and attacked her.  During the encounter, she allegedly hit her head which caused her brain to bleed.  She now claims to have to use a wheelchair.  She sued Cohen and the company that is making the movie, Universal Pictures. Click here to view an article on the lawsuit.

Universal has countered and said that the lawsuit is frivolous and baseless.  They believe video footage will show that Cohen and the cameramen never assaulted her.

This lawsuit is different from the many suits filed after the Borat movie.  In those suits, the plaintiff’s were all alleging injury based on being humilated on film.  Even though these individuals signed consent agreements, they still tried to sue based on the fact that they were deceived.  None of those suits were ultimately successful.

In contrast, this lawsuit focuses on physical injuries that occurred as a result of an encounter.  Therefore, it is potentially more serious and has a better chance of succeeding.  It is not clear exactly what charges are being brought against Cohen and Universal, but Olsen is seeking damages as a result of a loss of marital relations. At common law, these damages were called loss of consortium.

In legal speak, these sort of damages result from a tort action being filed.  Olsen could be claiming assault, battery or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Once the tort has been established, the case focuses on damages.

The interest being protected under consortium is the physical integrity the head of the household had with his wife. The deprivations identified include the economic contributions of the injured spouse to the household, care and affection and sex.

Usually this action is brought about by a husband in regards to his wife who may be injured.  In the Bruno situation, the suit is being filed by Olsen.  Since Olsen is the one that allegedly is filing suit, it does not appear that her suit can move forward.  It is the husband or wife of the injured person that must file suit and claim the loss of consortium.  The injured individual cannot file suit and claim loss of consortium.  Either way, to get to this point the plaintiff must prove a tort occurred.

I have read the articles on the alleged incident, but have not read any of the court documents or seen clips of the incident.  Therefore, I cannot comment as to how much evidence is there to prove that Cohen or the cameramen committed a crime.  It will be interesting to see how this case comes out.  Will Cohen once again win out? Or will Cohen finally pay for his crazy antics? I guess we’ll see.