The shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a New Mexico film set could have far-reaching legal ramifications, experts said — not only for the companies involved but also for individuals, including star and producer Alec Baldwin.
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Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza injured Thursday by a gun that Baldwin discharged during the filming of “Rust.”
No criminal charges have been filed in the case, which is being investigated by Santa Fe authorities.
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Attorneys and law professors said multiple people and entities involved in the production could face civil liabilities as a result of the death. Fatal on-set accidents involving firearms are rare. When deaths do happen, lawsuits typically follow.
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Lawsuits can result in millions of dollars in damages. The family of Sarah Jones, a crew member killed in a 2014 train accident during the making of “Midnight Rider,” was awarded $11.2 million after filing a wrongful-death lawsuit.
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Who faces liability in the “Rust” case will depend on how far the alleged negligence extends. The armorer, the person responsible for gun props used while filming, could be sued, as could the assistant director who reportedly handed Baldwin the weapon.
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The “Rust” production company could face significant damages in a civil suit, legal experts said, especially if producers of the low-budget feature were found to have cut corners to save time and money and skirted standard safety procedures.
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Criminal cases involving on-set deaths are rare, but they have happened.
Read more from @rfaughnder at latimes.com/entertainment-…
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