Love Is Blind Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Tran Dang v. Netflix—Court Blocks Arbitration, Case Proceeds To Trial, No Settlement Yet 2026
Love Is Blind contestant Tran Dang has hit production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV with a sexual assault, false imprisonment and negligence lawsuit after alleging fellow participant Thomas Smith sexually assaulted her during Season 5 filming in May 2022. A Texas appeals court refused to compel arbitration in April 2024, stating Dang’s sexual assault claims fall under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The case remains active as of February 2026 with no settlement announced.
What Is The Love Is Blind Sexual Assault Lawsuit About
Tran Dang, who is not featured in any Season 5 episodes, alleges that Delirium TV and Kinetic Content kept contestants in isolation, under 24-hour surveillance and confiscated “any identification information or devices used to communicate with others”. The lawsuit, initially filed in August 2022, names Netflix, Kinetic Content, Delirium TV, and Thomas Smith as defendants.
Dang got engaged to Thomas Smith on the show and alleges that he sexually assaulted her “throughout the night” while in Mexico. According to court documents, Dang alleges Smith “incessantly groped” her, “exposed himself in the nude” and “forcibly and repeatedly made sexual contact” without her consent.
The lawsuit claims these incidents occurred on or around May 3, 2022, while filming Love Is Blind Season 5 in Mexico. Dang reported the assault in detail the next morning to the producers, but her attorneys said they swept her concerns under the rug and attempted to mask the assault by characterizing it as a “lack of attraction”.
Legal Claims Filed Against Netflix And Production Companies
Dang’s complaint includes multiple causes of action: sexual assault and battery against Thomas Smith, negligence and false imprisonment against the production companies, and premises liability claims. These allegations are similar to issues raised in the Steven Tyler Sexual Assault Lawsuit Update 2026, Trial Status, Dismissals, And What You Should Know where survivors pursued civil remedies.
The filing from Houston law firm Wallace & Allen LLP details that “due to Delirium TV and Kinetic Content’s 24-hour surveillance of Plaintiff and Defendant Smith, most if not all of these traumatic acts were filmed by the production crew and within their knowledge”.
The negligence claims allege producers failed to protect Dang despite knowing about the assault through their surveillance systems. The false imprisonment claims stem from allegations that Delirium TV and Kinetic Content prohibited Plaintiff from leaving her hotel room without express permission and kept Plaintiff under 24-hour surveillance.
Court Blocks Arbitration—Case Proceeds To Trial
The production companies initially tried forcing the case into private arbitration based on Dang’s participant contract. However, the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas affirmed the trial court’s ruling that Dang’s sexual assault claims fall under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, or EFAA, which creates an exemption from arbitration for sexual assault.
This represents a major victory for Dang. President Joe Biden signed the EFAA into law in March 2022. Under the act, employers cannot force arbitration for sexual assault and sexual harassment, freeing those who make such allegations to talk publicly about their experiences.
In May 2024, a Texas appeals court said Thursday that a production company for Netflix’s “Love is Blind” no longer faces civil assault claims from a contestant who says she was sexually assaulted by another contestant, citing that the alleged assault would have occurred during filming in Mexico. However, Kinetic Content must still defend claims of false imprisonment and negligence since they relate to filming in Houston.
Who Is Affected And Current Legal Status
This is not a class action lawsuit. Only Tran Dang can seek compensation through this case. No settlement has been reached and no trial date has been set as of February 2026.
The lawsuit has sparked broader scrutiny of Love Is Blind’s production practices. In September 2025, Stephen Richardson, who was on season seven, filed a class action lawsuit against production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV alleging cast members were misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees.
Additionally, Netflix reached a settlement of $1.4 million US to be paid to 144 former cast and crew members from the early seasons of Love Is Blind, as well as other reality programs from Kinetic Content in a separate labor lawsuit filed by Jeremy Hartwell.
Steven Sunday Allegations On Love Is Blind Season 10
Separate from Tran Dang’s lawsuit, before Season 10 of Netflix’s Love Is Blind even aired, one cast member was already at the center of online controversy. Social media posts shared by an Instagram user sparked intense conversation about Steven, a contestant featured on Season 10.
When the Season 10 cast was announced in late January, an Instagram user posted Steven’s promotional photo on her Instagram Story, and claimed, “My heart is literally racing and I’m shaking bc this man came to my house and SA’d me a few months ago”. Multiple women have allegedly come forward with similar claims, though no lawsuits have been filed against Steven Sunday as of February 2026.
What Happens Next In The Dang Lawsuit
The case will proceed to trial in Texas state court. Discovery is ongoing, meaning both sides are exchanging evidence and taking depositions. The next hearing date is set for Feb. 19 next year in the lawsuit that further alleges Smith sexually assaulted Dang throughout the night of May 3 while the show was being filmed (this refers to February 2024, with subsequent hearings continuing into 2025-2026).
No compensation amounts have been established since the case hasn’t settled or gone to verdict. Similar celebrity sexual assault cases like the Cassie Lawsuit Settlement Amount, $20 Million Details Revealed show settlements can range from millions to tens of millions depending on the severity of allegations and defendant’s financial resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Love Is Blind sexual assault lawsuit about?
Tran Dang alleges Thomas Smith sexually assaulted her during Love Is Blind Season 5 filming in May 2022, and that production companies Kinetic Content and Delirium TV failed to protect her despite 24-hour surveillance. The lawsuit includes claims for sexual assault, negligence, and false imprisonment.
Who is affected by the Love Is Blind lawsuit?
Only Tran Dang is the plaintiff in this specific sexual assault case. It is not a class action, so other Love Is Blind participants cannot join this particular lawsuit or receive compensation from it.
Has the Love Is Blind case been settled or decided?
No. As of February 2026, the case remains in active litigation with no settlement announced. A Texas appeals court ruled in April 2024 that the case cannot be forced into arbitration and must proceed in public court.
Am I eligible for compensation in the Love Is Blind settlement?
There is no settlement, and only Tran Dang can receive compensation from this lawsuit. However, a separate class action regarding labor violations resulted in a $1.4 million settlement for 144 former cast members.
How much compensation is available?
No compensation amounts have been determined since the case hasn’t settled or gone to trial. If Dang wins at trial or settles, the amount would depend on proven damages including medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.
How do I file a claim or apply for compensation?
You cannot file a claim in this lawsuit unless you are Tran Dang. If you experienced similar issues on Love Is Blind or other reality shows, consult an entertainment attorney about filing your own individual lawsuit.
Where can I get help with the Love Is Blind lawsuit?
If you experienced assault or mistreatment on a reality show, contact entertainment lawyers specializing in production liability. The UCAN Foundation (founded by former Love Is Blind contestant Nick Thompson) provides support for unscripted cast members. Report sexual assault to RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE
Last Updated: February 12, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Love Is Blind sexual assault lawsuit and is not legal advice. For guidance about sexual assault claims or reality show contracts, consult a qualified attorney.
If you’ve experienced assault or mistreatment on a reality show, document everything immediately and consult an attorney specializing in entertainment law and production liability.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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