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HARD ROCK CAFE COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR STEVE AOKI’S NECK-BREAKING STAGE DIVE

The victim’s lawyer has told a jury the venue should have expected Aoki’s stunt

Hard Rock Cafe could be held liable for Steve Aoki’s neck-breaking stage dive in 2012, after the victim’s lawyer told a jury during a hearing on Tuesday (2nd August) that they should have known the Dim Mak label boss would attempt the stunt.

Legal proceedings around the incident first started last year, when it was reported that Aoki was being sued by a fan who claimed to have sustained a broken neck at the show in San Diego.

Midwest native Brittany Hickman was injured when Aoki jumped from a speaker into a blow up boat at the Hard Rock Cafe, knocking her unconscious and at risk of paralysis. Her injury left her in hospital for several days with a broken neck, as well as off work for two months following the incident.

Now, Jeremiah Lowe, Hickman’s legal representative, claimed that the Hard Rock Cafe should have been aware that Aoki would attempt the stunt and made necessary plans to ensure attendees safety, imploring the jury to hold the venue liable in paying for any future medical costs.

Speaking about Aoki’s on-stage antics, Lowe previously told ABC10 News, “It’s only a matter of time before somebody else gets hurt or killed.”

Rob McCallum is DJ Mag’s deputy digital editor. Follow him on Twitter here.