Kathy Hilton Fights Back in Court: RHOBH Star Denies Liability in House Guest’s $55K-Per-Year Knee Injury Lawsuit

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton is pushing back hard against a negligence lawsuit filed by a house guest who claims she suffered a serious knee injury at the socialite’s $28 million Bel Air mansion.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ and reported on May 2, 2026, Hilton denies liability and argues the plaintiff may have caused her own injuries by exposing herself to a “known danger.”

The dispute traces back to August 25, 2024. Hilton, who had recently moved into the sprawling 15,000-square-foot, 7-bedroom, 8-bathroom estate, hosted a charity fundraiser combined with an estate sale (yard sale) at the property.

Guest Kimberly Heffington was walking on an outside staircase leading from the tennis court to the pool area when her foot allegedly got caught between uneven pavers.

She tripped and fell violently, suffering what she describes as severe and potentially permanent injuries — primarily a complex medial meniscus tear to her right knee.

Heffington claims there were no warning signs, traffic cones, or barriers to alert guests to the hazard, making Hilton negligent as the property owner.

The Lawsuit and High Stakes Demands

Heffington filed the lawsuit in 2025. In April 2026 court filings, she detailed her damages, seeking reimbursement for past and present medical bills plus more than $50,000–$55,000 per year in future medical expenses. She is also pursuing compensation for lost wages and other unspecified damages.

The case has drawn attention because of Hilton’s high-profile status on RHOBH, where her luxurious lifestyle and family dynamics are frequent storylines. The Bel Air mansion itself has appeared on the show as part of her latest chapter.

Hilton’s Defense: “Known Danger”

In the latest development reported by TMZ, Hilton formally responded in court documents. She denies the allegations and raises an affirmative defense, suggesting Heffington contributed to the incident by encountering an obvious or “known danger.”

This comparative negligence argument is common in premises liability cases — essentially arguing the guest bears some (or all) responsibility for not watching her step in an outdoor area.

No trial date has been set, and many such cases settle out of court. As of now, there has been no public statement from Hilton beyond the legal filings.

Broader Context

Celebrity homeowners frequently face slip-and-fall or trip lawsuits, especially at large estates hosting events. Hilton, known for her eccentric charm and connection to the famous Hilton family, has largely stayed above typical Housewives-level legal drama until now.

The story adds another layer to Season 15 of RHOBH, where property, wealth, and personal accountability often take center stage.

For now, the case remains active. Whether it ends in a quiet settlement or heads to trial could depend on how convincingly each side proves (or disproves) negligence. In Beverly Hills, even a simple misstep on luxury pavers can lead to years of legal wrangling.