A lawsuit brought against Sharon Osbourne by a contestant on her VH1 series "Rock of Love Charm School" was referred by a judge Friday to a mediator in the hope of reaching a settlement.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Abraham A. Khan set an Oct. 8 hearing for an update on the outcome of the mediation.
Megan Hauserman filed her suit on March 2, alleging battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The December confrontation between the women can be seen on VH1's Web site, where it is billed as "Sharon and Megan's big fight." In the video, the women exchange insults, Osbourne pours a drink on Hauserman and then the two are surrounded by a rush of people.
The suit alleges Osbourne, the 56-year-old wife of heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne, hit Hauserman, pulled her hair and scratched her.
Hauserman's attorney, Warren J. Binder, said after Friday's hearing that his client's medical expenses were about $1,000, but her damages for alleged emotional distress are much higher.
"It was a pretty violent act," Binder said.
Neither Hauserman nor Osbourne appeared in court Friday. But Osbourne's lawyer, Patricia A. Millett, told the judge via speaker phone that she expected the case would take five days to try if it is not settled.
Jury selection could take a little longer than a non-celebrity case depending on the media's interest, Millett said.
