Stunt Woman Files 2nd Lawsuit in Accident on ‘Airwolf’ Set

A stunt woman who earlier this year filed a $10-million lawsuit against Universal Studios because of injuries she received in an explosion while filming a scene for the television show “Airwolf” filed a second suit Thursday in federal court, alleging the studio’s actions relating to the accident constituted racketeering.

In the latest suit, Desiree Kerns, 29, of Los Angeles, alleges that studio officials “falsely and fraudulently” misrepresented the stunt she was to perform.

The suit says Kerns was told to push a button that would trigger a smoke device, then jump out of a truck traveling at 40 m.p.h. But, instead of a smoke device, the truck was rigged with an incendiary bomb that caused an explosion and engulfed her in flames when she pushed the button, the suit alleges.

The Feb. 25 accident near Castaic left Kerns with second- and third-degree burns on her face, neck, scalp and one arm that required skin grafts, the suit says.

The suit says Kerns should be paid triple damages--although no amount is specified--under terms of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The law, originally designed for use against organized crime, provides for triple damages in cases in which a pattern of racketeering is proven.

Kerns’ suit asks that the studio’s alleged misrepresentations to her, in order to obtain “great profits,” should be interpreted by the court as racketeering under the law.

An attorney for Universal Studios declined comment on the latest suit.

Kerns’ earlier suit, filed against Universal Studios and Airwolf Production Co. in Los Angeles Superior Court on March 28, claimed merely that the studio was negligent.