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Rick Springfield Prevails in Alleged Butt Injury Lawsuit

By Daniel Taylor, Esq. on January 23, 2015 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Eighties rocker Rick Springfield has prevailed in a personal injury lawsuit brought by a woman who claimed she was injured after being struck by the singer's butt.

The trial that ended last week in New York was the second trial to be held in the case, The Associated Press reports. The lawsuit against Springfield -- known for his 1981 hit "Jessie's Girl" as well as a recurring role on television soap opera "General Hospital" -- was originally filed in 2007, but the first trial in the case ended in a mistrial in 2013.

What were the facts behind this peculiar case?

Woman Claimed 'Serious Injuries' Caused by Springfield's Rear

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, 45-year-old Vicki Calcagno, claimed that she suffered "serious, disabling, and permanent injuries" during a Rick Springfield concert at the 2004 New York State Fair, reports Yahoo! Music.

According to the woman's lawsuit, her injuries were caused when Springfield fell onto her during the concert. Specifically, the woman claimed that Springfield's butt hit her head, causing her to lose consciousness. Springfield denied falling on Calcagno.

Earlier Mistrial

A court may declare a mistrial when the occurrence of an event or a legal irregularity makes the rendering of a verdict in the case impossible. One common reason for mistrials is a hung jury, where a jury fails to reach a unanimous or majority verdict and finds itself at a standstill.

In Springfield's 2013 trial, a mistrial was declared after a new witness came forward with information about the events in question, reports the World Entertainment News Network. That witness testified in the retrial that she had been knocked down by Springfield at the same show, but admitted that she did not see Calcagno fall.

During closing arguments, Springfield's lawyers insisted that there were no witnesses, photos, or video evidence proving Calcagno's claims. Ultimately, the jury agreed, finding in favor of Springfield.

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