Three crew members from the film “Rust” are suing actor Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers, alleging they have anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the fatal shooting on set.
Crew from the film “Rust” Sue Alec Baldwin over stress and PTSD
Three crew members who were in the church building when Alec Baldwin’s gun fired on the set of the film Rust have filed a civil lawsuit alleging they are suffering from anxiety and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the fatal shooting, NBC News reported.
All three of the crewmembers were in close proximity when the shot fired, striking director Joel Souza and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The three crew were left with “blast injuries” from the deafening sound of the shot.
The lawsuit was filed jointly in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by dolly operator Ross Addiego, set costumer Doran Curtin, and key grip Reese Price. The suit names Alec Baldwin, El Dorado Pictures production company, and Rust Movie Productions LLC, accusing them of negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, BuzzFeed News reported.
According to the lawsuit, Hutchins fell directly in front of Doran Curtin.
“[Curtin] watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed at her abdomen,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Plaintiff Curtin was ushered out of the church. Once outside, she collapsed from the effects of the blast and the shock of the shooting.”
The lawsuit states that Price “felt the physical force of the gunfire in the small space. His ears began to ring. He felt as if everything was moving in slow motion. He saw Souza screaming and crawling away from Defendant Baldwin. Desperate and scared, crew members began to yank Plaintiff Price by the shirt and out of the church.”
The lawsuit states Addiego “felt the same disorienting sound, force, and physical trauma from the gunshot,” elaborating that Addiego rushed to Souza, applying pressure on his wound until medics arrived.
“Plaintiffs have independently sought support in dealing with their injuries which include, but are not limited to, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder,” the complaint reads.
Producers cut corners by hiring inexperienced people and ignored safety
The lawsuit alleges and faults the producers for hiring people who had been the subject of previous safety complaints, including David Halls, the first assistant director. The suit also faults the producers for hiring armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed despite her lack of experience, alleging it was because they wanted a “quick and cheap production.”
“These injuries were caused by Defendants’ failure to follow industry safety rules,” the complaint reads, Yahoo reported. “Defendants cut comers; ignored reports of multiple, unscripted firearms discharges; and persisted, rushed and understaffed, to finish the film.”
Baldwin faulted for negligence
Additionally, the lawsuit faults Baldwin for not paying attention during weapons training, as well as for failing to ensure the gun was not loaded with a live bullet and for discharging the round.
