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What started as a viral clip of Cardi B defending herself from a flying drink has now become a full-blown legal battle. A new civil lawsuit filed in Clark County, Nevada accuses the Grammy-winning rapper of battery, assault, and negligence after she allegedly hurled a microphone at a concertgoer during her July 29, 2023 performance at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas.
According to the plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, she was enjoying her first solo trip to Las Vegas when Cardi B, onstage and battling sweltering temperatures, encouraged fans to splash water on her. But after Doe tossed a small amount of liquid—just like many others allegedly had—Cardi B allegedly reacted in anger and launched a microphone into the crowd, striking Doe in the face.
In her complaint, Doe claims the incident caused “emotional distress, humiliation, and physical injury.” Footage from the show went viral last summer, sparking debate over whether Cardi had invited the water splash—and whether her retaliation was justified.
Although Las Vegas police briefly opened a criminal battery investigation, it was closed for lack of evidence. But that doesn’t end the story.
Cardi B performs at Drai’s Beachclub in Las Vegas on July 29, 2023. The concert later became the center of a civil battery lawsuit after the rapper allegedly threw her microphone into the crowd, striking an audience member.
Even without criminal charges, civil lawsuits can still proceed. Here's how this case stacks up under Nevada law.
In civil law, battery is the intentional and offensive physical contact with another person without consent. Nevada criminal law defines battery under NRS 200.481 as “any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.”
→ Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.481
While Cardi has not been criminally charged, Doe is seeking damages in civil court, which uses a lower burden of proof. If the court finds that Cardi intended to throw the microphone and it made harmful contact, that could establish civil battery.
Under NRS 200.471, assault occurs when someone “unlawfully attempts to use physical force against another person” or “intentionally places another person in reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm.”
→ Nev. Rev. Stat. § 200.471
Even if the mic hadn’t made contact, the moment Jane Doe saw it flying toward her could be enough for a civil assault claim.
Doe also alleges that both Cardi B and the venue, Drai’s, failed to act with reasonable care. This falls under general Nevada negligence principles, which require the plaintiff to prove:
A duty of care,
Breach of that duty,
Causation,
Damages.
The lawsuit claims that Cardi should have known throwing a microphone posed a foreseeable risk of injury, and that Drai’s failed to take proper precautions—even after a similar incident occurred the night before.
Determining fault in a civil case hinges on intent, foreseeability, and proportionality:
Did Cardi act deliberately or instinctively?
Was her response disproportionate to the fan's actions?
Should Drai’s have intervened given her prior conduct?
If found liable, Cardi could be required to pay:
Compensatory damages (medical expenses, pain and suffering), and
Punitive damages if the act is deemed egregious. Under NRS 42.005, punitive damages in Nevada may not exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages unless the harm was caused by conduct involving intentional malice or fraud.
→ Nev. Rev. Stat. § 42.005
Cardi B’s legal team may argue that she was responding to a perceived assault from a thrown drink. Nevada does recognize self-defense in both civil and criminal law—but it must be reasonable and proportional.
If the threat was a splash of water and the response was a microphone thrown with force, a court may determine that Cardi’s reaction was excessive and unjustified under the circumstances.
Doe is also suing Drai’s Management Group, claiming they negligently allowed a potentially violent performer to appear without enhanced security or crowd protocols.
Under Nevada premises liability law, property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to guests (invitees). If Doe can prove that the venue knew about Cardi’s mic-throwing pattern and failed to act, they may share financial liability.
Battery and assault can be pursued civilly even if police don’t file criminal charges.
Nevada law (NRS 200.481 and NRS 200.471) supports claims based on harmful contact and perceived threats.
Self-defense requires proportionality—and courts are skeptical when a celebrity escalates a minor provocation.
Venues may be held liable under premises liability if they ignore known safety risks.
Was Cardi B charged with a crime?
No. The criminal case was dropped by Las Vegas authorities due to insufficient evidence.
Can someone sue a celebrity for being hit at a concert?
Yes. Civil law allows anyone injured by another’s intentional or negligent actions to sue, even if the incident happened during a performance.
What statute defines battery in Nevada?
Nevada Revised Statute NRS 200.481 defines battery as any willful and unlawful use of force or violence on another.
What damages could Cardi B be ordered to pay?
She could face compensatory and punitive damages, depending on the court’s findings and the severity of the alleged misconduct.
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