Family of Brain-injured Woman in 'Transformers III' Filming Responds to OSHA Comments About Paramount's Conduct

Family of Brain-injured Woman in 'Transformers III' Filming Responds to OSHA Comments About Paramount's Conduct

CHICAGO, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of 24-year-old Gabriela Cedillo today said statements made by the representative for the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the conduct of Paramount Pictures in causing the recent tragedy are "ridiculous."

At the request of his client, Todd A. Smith, a partner in the law firm of Power, Rogers & Smith PC, said that both a licensed engineer and a nationally recognized metallurgist had inspected the weld and connections which connected the cable to the stunt car at issue. The clear conclusion of these experts was that the connection between the cable and the bracket on the car was performed in a faulty, negligent and careless fashion.

Cedillo was among approximately 80 "extras" driving her own vehicle along a street in Hammond, Indiana, on September 1, when the accident occurred, causing her to suffer severe, open-head trauma. As a result of this poor welding and design, the cable and bracket broke loose that caused the damage.

Smith said that, "the family is deeply saddened and disappointed by this ridiculous conclusion by the Indiana Department of OSHA."

The mere fact that the welding was performed by a "certified welder" as the department claims does not in any way suggest that the weld was performed properly and in fact the evidence is clear that it was done in a slip-shod fashion, he said. "This kind of occurrence is completely foreseeable when sloppy hurried work is done and innocent people are nearby," he continued. "It is completely irresponsible for even a local government bureaucrat to rush to such sloppy conclusions."

For more information, please contact Todd A. Smith, Devon C. Bruce or Kathy Beardsley at 312- 236-9381.

SOURCE Power, Rogers & Smith PC

Power, Rogers & Smith PC

CONTACT: Todd A. Smith, Devon C. Bruce or Kathy Beardsley, all of Power, Rogers & Smith PC, +1-312-236-9381

Web Site: http://www.prslaw.com/

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