Jason Derulo denies wrongdoing in $3 million estate injury lawsuit
Pop superstar Jason Derulo is fighting allegations from a man who initiated a lawsuit against him, claiming to have sustained injuries from a fall at the artist's lavish $3 million estate, as Us Weekly has learned through an exclusive report.
On August 25, the 35-year-old Derulo submitted a formal response, including affirmative defenses, in the legal action initiated against him and his relatives by siblings Juan Zetina and Alvaro Zetina.
Alvaro alleges he suffered grave harm while performing tasks at Derulo's expansive 10,844 square-foot residence in Tarzana, California, which boasts seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. (The artist acquired this castle-like property in 2014 for a sum of $3 million.) Juan, for his part, asserts he was terminated from his employment after Alvaro declined to endorse documents that would absolve Derulo of any responsibility for the purported injuries.
In his legal submission, Derulo, whose birth name is Jason Joel Desrouleaux, refuted every accusation of misconduct presented in the complaint. His defense contends that any supposed harm sustained by Juan and Alvaro originated from the actions of third parties, rather than from himself.
Moreover, counsel for the performer informed the court that the claimed injuries resulted from no “human involvement but were exclusively attributable to an extraordinary event or an Act of God, the consequences of which could not have been foreseen or averted through due diligence by [Derulo].” The same document also charged Juan and Alvaro with carelessness, stating they contributed to any reported injuries they experienced.
Derulo requested the complete dismissal of the legal action. The artist's family members have not yet formally addressed the accusations in legal proceedings.
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On May 8, Juan and Alvaro initiated legal action against Derulo, his mother Jocelyne Desrouleaux, his father, Joel Desrouleaux, PePe Construction, and several other entities. The complaint leveled charges against the defendants for neglect, deliberate infliction of emotional suffering, unjust dismissal, and breaches of labor regulations.
Within the lawsuit, Juan stated he was employed to undertake construction duties at the property.
Juan recounted that he was first compensated $300 daily in cash, then later by checks, “which he was directed to cash and utilize to pay other laborers at the site.”
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During early 2024, Juan stated he received a request to enlist more laborers. He subsequently brought in his brother, Alvaro, alongside two other individuals. According to the lawsuit, Juan and Alvaro claimed they labored for eight hours daily. (Juan’s weekly earnings were $2,500, while Alvaro was compensated $270 per day for his work.)
The complaint asserts that Alvaro suffered a fall from an elevated position on March 12, 2024, attributed to “inadequately installed and unstable scaffolding supplied by Pepe Construction situated on the premises.”
“The scaffolding presented hazards and was flawed. It was deficient in correct installation, safety mechanisms, and upkeep,” the legal document stated. “Subsequent to the fall, which caused Alvaro to lose consciousness, [Derulo's father] and Juan conveyed [Alvaro] — without immediate medical care — to VIP Urgent Care.”
“Owing to the serious nature of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to Cedars-Sinai Hospital,” the filing proceeded. Alvaro reported being confined to bed for half a year and “was unable to resume employment until December 2024.”
His legal representative asserted that upon Alvaro’s return to work, he “received considerably less compensation — merely $170 each day.”
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Alvaro submitted a claim for workers’ compensation. He alleges that Derulo subsequently insisted he sign a waiver relinquishing his legal entitlements in return for ongoing remuneration. He stated he rejected this proposition.
“As an act of reprisal, Juan Zetina was dismissed, resulting in his income decreasing from $2,500 to $1,100 weekly. He did not secure a similar position until April 2024,” the lawsuit claimed. Furthermore, legal counsel for Juan and Alvaro asserted that the defendants “neglected to obtain workers’ compensation coverage, did not adhere to safety protocols, and established an unsafe working environment which contributed to Alvaro’s injuries and Juan’s unjust firing.”
Alvaro and Juan allege they experienced psychological anguish stemming from the event. “The plaintiffs endured intense emotional distress, encompassing anxiety, embarrassment, and a diminished sense of self-worth.”
They additionally contended that the conduct of Derulo and his relatives was executed with malevolence, deceit … and with a deliberate indifference to the plaintiffs’ rights, well-being, and security.”
As Us had reported earlier, Derulo encountered prior legal troubles concerning distinct allegations in 2023. He repudiated those assertions. That particular lawsuit was initially dismissed but has since been resubmitted.
