Sam Worthington and Lara Bingle headed to a US court for $5 million lawsuit showdown

By Aap Reporter

Published: 19:06 EST, 30 August 2015 | Updated: 21:24 EST, 30 August 2015

Australian super couple Sam Worthington and Lara Bingle appear headed for a US court showdown next week with a paparazzo who claims he sustained more than $A5.2 million damages in a street attack.

Sheng Li, a New York photographer, alleged he was viciously assaulted by Hollywood action star Worthington and model Bingle in Manhattan on February 23, 2014.

Lawyers for Bingle and Worthington rejected the New York paparazzo's multi-million dollar damages claim.

Lara Bingle and partner Sam Worthington appear headed for a US court next week over a scuffle in New York 

Lara Bingle and partner Sam Worthington appear headed for a US court next week over a scuffle in New York 

The paparazzo claims he sustained more than $A5.2 million damages in the street attack in February 2014

The paparazzo claims he sustained more than $A5.2 million damages in the street attack in February 2014

A jury trial for the civil case is set to begin in New York on September 8.

According to court records, Li is seeking $US2 million compensation plus punitive damages, $US500,000 for past and future damages and other costs including $US100,000 for lost income, $US250,000 for surgery to his right rotator cuff and $US250,000 for radiculopathy of his cervical spine.

Worthington and Bingle reject Li's claimed damages 'in their entirety'.

The Avatar actor appeared in court last year over allegedly assaulting snapper Sheng Li in Greenwich Village

The Avatar actor appeared in court last year over allegedly assaulting snapper Sheng Li in Greenwich Village

Sheng Li, 37, and his lawyers deny the photographer kicked Bingle, describing it as a 'phantom kick'

Sheng Li, 37, and his lawyers deny the photographer kicked Bingle, describing it as a 'phantom kick'

Key to the case could be paparazzi video taken of the incident, with US District Court Judge Lorna Schofield ordering footage of Worthington and Bingle in Li's possession, including tape provided to the Splash News and Picture Agency, be submitted by Monday.

Li's lawyers allege another New York paparazzo working with Li on the day of the incident, Alonso Ceballos, has testified Worthington ran up to Li and 'began assaulting him by punching the plaintiff about the body and face'.

New York police, who arrested Worthington and Li at the scene, said Bingle alleged Li had been blocking her path and kicked her in the shin.

Photos of Bingle's leg taken by Worthington's lawyer Stacey Richman are expected to be submitted as evidence.

Li's lawyers allege he did not kick Bingle, describing it as a 'phantom kick'.

The couple's lawyers also plan to submit paparazzi photos of Worthington and Bingle taken in public, including outside a California hospital after the birth of their son.

 Lara recently gave birth to her first son Rocket Zot with partner Sam Worthington (pictured here with Rocket)

 Lara recently gave birth to her first son Rocket Zot with partner Sam Worthington (pictured here with Rocket)

 

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