A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled on Friday that a civil lawsuit against actor Alec Baldwin and producers of the film Rust can proceed to trial. The case, filed by Serge Svetnoy, a gaffer on the set, alleges negligence and emotional distress following the October 2021 shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
The judge allowed claims of punitive damages, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress to move forward but dismissed an assault claim, stating there was no evidence Baldwin intended harm. Svetnoy claims he narrowly avoided being hit and suffered emotional distress due to alleged unsafe conditions on set.
Baldwin has denied wrongdoing, asserting he was unaware the prop gun contained a live round. A previous involuntary manslaughter charge against him was dismissed in July 2024 after prosecutors were found to have withheld evidence.
The trial is set for later this year, with Baldwin’s representatives declining immediate comment on the ruling.