Granting of Motion for Summary Judgment Affirmed in Wrongful Death Case

August 25, 2022

A motion for summary judgment granted in favor of Hollywood producer Joel Silver in a wrongful death case was affirmed by the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District. Corine Zygelman and Matthew E. Voss of Murchison & Cumming, LLP represented the defendant.

This case involved allegations of liability for wrongful death against Hollywood producer, Joel Silver, brought by the parents of his deceased personal assistant. The personal assistant died during Silver's family vacation to Bora Bora with his family, friends, and his family's personal chef in 2015. The decedent's parents' multi-million dollar lawsuit sought to hold Silver, two of his companies, and his family's personal chef, Martin Herold, liable for decedent's death. Silver prevailed on a Motion for Summary Judgment in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and the parents of the decedent appealed the judgment in favor of Silver.

After briefing and oral argument, the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, issued a 30-page opinion on August 25, 2022, certified for publication, which affirmed the trial court's judgment in favor of Silver.