An adult star has filed a $30 million lawsuit against one of her co-stars, alleging that she was forced to finish filming a scene after a serious incident on set.
Hutchison, who may be best known by her screen name Phoenix Marie, has been in the adult entertainment industry for 18 years.
The shocking complaint obtained by The Daily Beast states that Hutchison was coerced into filming an orgy and was subsequently made into a "scapegoat" through a smear campaign after one of her co-stars nearly overdosed on set.
The defendants named in the filing include the 42-year-old's co-star Danny D (real name Danny Martin) - who starred in the videos and served as producer and director - as well as Ethical Capital Partners and Aylo executives.
The incident in question occurred during a shoot in Barcelona last October.
The complaint claims that before filming took place, Hutchison counseled adult film newcomer Zaawaadi before an anal sex scene after learning that she consumed a lot of anti-diarrheal medication.
Hutchison is said to have given the younger woman two natural probiotic pills and two tablets of a natural laxative to be taken after the scene, to help combat any potential side effects of the anti-diarrheal tablets.
Unfortunately during filming, Zaawaadi experienced a medical emergency, with the filing alleging that she was "shaking violently and screaming that she couldn’t breathe".
Hutchison, who has a background in emergency medicine, attempted to intervene by trying to "keep Zaawaadi calm and regulate her breathing while she evaluated her, called Zaawaadi’s sister for her medical history, and got her some fluids once her sister was on the phone".
"Hutchison asked [Zaawaadi] if she had taken any drugs or medicines lately, and she said, 'Only the 4 pills you gave me.' Hutchison knew that the pills that she had given Zaawaadi would not have caused this reaction. The girl continued to shake and have difficulty breathing as a person would during a seizure or neurological episode," the complaint added.
The suit alleges that Hutchison wanted to stop the shoot and was "severely shaken" by the devastating incident, but Danny D insisted that she finish filming.
"Hutchison was very upset and declined to continue the scene as Zaawaadi had a serious life-threatening medical event, and no one had any way of knowing if the girl was going to live or die," it states.
"Hutchison was severely shaken that this had happened and pleaded with Danny D. to shoot the scene at another time. Danny D. insisted that they finish the scene, so Hutchison continued filming the orgy scene against her will," the suit added.
It was soon disclosed that Zaawaadi overdosed on lithium, a substance that Danny's girlfriend, who worked as the shoot’s makeup artist/production manager/talent liaison, was allegedly in possession of.
After Zaawaadi’s hospitalization, Hutchison was blamed for the traumatic incident, allegedly subjected to a smear campaign from executives and Danny D, and was reportedly told to go back to the US.
George Robinson, Hutchison's attorney, described the case as "very intriguing," and highlighted the importance of safe workplaces in a joint statement with co-counsel Sterling Kerr.
"Everyone deserves the right to a workplace that is safe, secure, and free from physical and sexual assault - even porn stars," he said, per Daily Beast.
The production company and industry executives who allegedly wronged the adult star "had a chance to stand behind their public commitments to safe working environments, and instead, they used the unregulated power of their Big Porn monopoly to launch a coverup and retaliatory smear campaign" against her.
"We’re looking forward to holding them accountable, not only to find justice for Melissa," the statement read, adding, "But also to put an end to their heyday of destroying people’s lives on a whim so they can line their executives' pockets through the abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation of performers."
Hutchison is seeking damages for emotional distress, loss of income, and punitive measures against those responsible for the alleged misconduct. She also said the incident has led to "anxiety, panic attacks, sleepless nights, and sexual dysfunction".
Initial case statements are expected to be submitted by April 23.
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