A judge has awarded nearly $40,000 to a woman in a default judgment against Chrisean Rock, far less that the $250,000 she believed she was entitled to against the rapper and television personality for injuries suffered during an alleged run-in with the entertainer at a 2023 premier event.
Lashala Irby testified on Friday before Burbank Superior Court Judge Frank M. Tavelman, who took her default judgment request under submission and ruled Tuesday. No one appeared on behalf of the 26-year-old Rock, who has not participated in the court proceedings.
The judge subtracted the special damages sought by Irby to find that the actual amount of requested damages was about $232,000.
“Here, plaintiff did not provide sufficient evidence to support an award of more than $230,000 in general damages,” the judge wrote. “Her testimony regarding embarrassment and helplessness was brief and lacked detail concerning the severity or ongoing impact of these feelings.”
Nonetheless, the judge said, he was finding that the circulation of a video identifying Irby as the individual involved in the alleged attack provided a reasonable basis for an award of general damages. He awarded a total of just under $38,100.
The singer’s real name is Chrisean Eugenia Malone. Irby contended the alleged attack occurred on Jan. 22, 2023, at the function on Laurel Canyon Boulevard in North Hollywood. Irby previously submitted a sworn declaration in support of her application.
“I was violently assaulted by a well-known celebrity and that assault was captured on video that continues to circulate across the internet to this day,” Irby said. “Knowing that strangers can watch one of the most terrifying and humiliating moments of my life at any time has been emotionally shattering.”
The ongoing public exposure of the alleged assault has “magnified my suffering in a way that words can hardly capture,” Irby further said.
Every time Irby sees or hears about the video, or even thinks that it is still being viewed, forces the plaintiff to relive the trauma all over again, according to Irby.
A video of the alleged attack is attached to Irby’s court papers. Irby said the meeting with Rock was initially cordial.
“After discussing a prior working relationship with (Rock), I turned around and began to walk away,” Irby said. “Suddenly and without warning, (Rock) physically assaulted me with such force that I suffered severe injuries and damage.”
The entertainer has “refused to appear in this case, leaving her conduct unchallenged,” according to Irby, who further said the request for $250,000 “reflects the severity of the injuries I suffered at (Rock’s) hands, the overwhelming pain and suffering she caused me and the malicious and unprovoked nature of her brutal attack.”
Irby previously reached a collective tentative $35,000 settlement with Zeus Networks LLC, which hosted the event, and MGP XI-GPI Laurel Plaza LLC, the property owners.