14 DAY TRIAL // Before “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” wrapped and went into post-production, shooting was marred by a terrible accident that nearly cost an extra her life. A judge has now awarded her with $18.5 million (€14.7 million) in damages.
The accident took place on the Indiana set of the movie, with then 26-year-old Gabriella Cedillo being just one of the extras on set driving their own cars.
At one point, one cable snapped and a large piece of equipment became loose, smashed through her windshield and hit her in the head.
She was left with permanent brain damage and is, according to reports, still bedridden today.
DreamWorks and Paramount have agreed to pay her and her family $18.5 million (€14.7 million) in damages, which will also cover her medical bills, AceShowbiz reports.
“The 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' extra who was seriously injured in the head during a stunt-gone-wrong has settled her lawsuit with $18.5 million. Paramount and DreamWorks that produced the blockbuster hit have agreed in a settlement signed by a judge that they will pay Gabriella Cedillo the aforementioned sum,” the celebrity e-zine reports.
Cedillo's attorney argued in court that the movie studio tried to ditch paying her medical bills.
“Cedillo's lawyer revealed that the movie studios only covered her medical expenses at Loyola University Medical Center which totaled in 350,000 [€278,396.4] in 2010. But, they 'did everything they could to avoid payment. Gabriela was forced onto Public Aid to pay for her medical bills',” AceShowbiz reports.
The attorney also tried to argue that the accident was the studio's fault because the cable hadn't been secured properly, which prompted an investigation by Indiana safety officials.
“Completely inadequate superficial weld had been applied in a failed effort to secure the bracket to the [stunt] car,” the lawsuit stated.
The investigation revealed that the movie studio had not violated any of their operational standards and, as such, the accident could not have been prevented.
“We are pleased that the Cedillo family has agreed to move forward with the settlement. This was a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers remain with Gabriela,” a statement from Paramount says.