Megan Hauserman’s lawsuit against Sharon Osbourne, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on March 2, 2009, ended in an undisclosed settlement on February 14, 2011, just before opening statements were set to begin.1CBS News Los Angeles. Settlement Reached in Sharon Osbourne Battery Case2Reuters. Sharon Osbourne, TV Contestant Settle Lawsuits Hauserman had sued over a physical altercation at the taping of the Rock of Love: Charm School reunion in December 2008, bringing claims for battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The Charm School Reunion Altercation
Osbourne was the “headmaster” of the VH1 series and Hauserman was a contestant. During the December 2008 reunion taping, Hauserman reportedly said Osbourne was famous only for “managing a brain-dead rock star.”3Boston Herald. VH1’s Charm School Reunion Packs a Punch According to multiple accounts, Osbourne then ran across the stage, grabbed Hauserman by the hair, and scratched her face. Security separated the two.4Reality Blurred. Charm School: Sharon Osbourne, Megan Hauserman Police Report
Hauserman went to the hospital the next day and filed a police report with the LAPD. A department spokeswoman confirmed an “alleged battery incident” report had been taken and that detectives would interview witnesses to decide whether to bring charges.5The Guardian. Sharon Osbourne Investigated Over Alleged Assault No criminal charges were filed. The reunion aired on VH1 on January 4, 2009, and the network later promoted the footage as “Sharon and Megan’s big fight.”6CBS News. Sharon Osbourne, Charm School Star Settle Case
What Hauserman Alleged
The complaint pleaded three causes of action: battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hauserman sought a jury trial and punitive damages.7Morning Journal. Sharon Osbourne Sued Over Charm School Fracas Her original attorney, Warren J. Binder, said her documented medical expenses came to roughly $1,000, but that her emotional-distress claim was “much higher.”8NBC Los Angeles. Sharon Osbourne Lawsuit Sent to Mediator
Asked publicly about the suit, Osbourne denied it existed. “No. Me? No,” she told a reporter.9Today. Sharon Denies There’s Charm School Lawsuit
Osbourne’s Countersuit and Defense
Osbourne countersued and offered a competing account of the taping. Her filings said she had “dumped the contents of a drinking glass” on Hauserman and that Hauserman was the one who turned physical, allegedly scratching and bruising her and ripping her clothing, including what Osbourne described as a vintage Valentino leather jacket.10Daily News. Sharon Osbourne vs. Contestant: Trial Set for 2011
Her legal team also raised two contract-based defenses. They argued Hauserman had assumed the risk of injury by agreeing to appear on a show known for volatile confrontations,2Reuters. Sharon Osbourne, TV Contestant Settle Lawsuits and that filing the lawsuit itself breached Hauserman’s agreement with the show’s producers.10Daily News. Sharon Osbourne vs. Contestant: Trial Set for 2011 A separate line of argument accused Hauserman of provoking the confrontation to generate publicity for herself.1CBS News Los Angeles. Settlement Reached in Sharon Osbourne Battery Case
How the Case Ended
The case took nearly two years to reach a courtroom. Before jury selection began in February 2011, the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim was dropped after pre-trial motions, leaving battery and negligent infliction of emotional distress.11Daily Breeze. Jury Selection Begins Today in Sharon Osbourne Trial Hauserman was represented at trial by Roderick Lindblom, who planned to show jurors video of the altercation. Osbourne was represented by Howard L. Weitzman.12Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Sharon Osbourne, Charm School Star Settle Case
The parties were far apart on damages. Osbourne’s court papers put Hauserman’s medical injuries at less than $1,000, describing them as a sore thumb and “hair pain.”11Daily Breeze. Jury Selection Begins Today in Sharon Osbourne Trial Weitzman told the court the two sides were “six figures away” on their damage estimates.13Reality Blurred. Charm School: Osbourne-Hauserman Lawsuit Settled
On February 14, 2011, the day jury selection was scheduled to wrap up and opening statements to begin, the parties settled. Weitzman confirmed the resolution in court. The terms were not disclosed, and neither side made a substantive public statement about the outcome.2Reuters. Sharon Osbourne, TV Contestant Settle Lawsuits1CBS News Los Angeles. Settlement Reached in Sharon Osbourne Battery Case