Sam Worthington settles paparazzo lawsuit

Australian actor Sam Worthington has avoided a court clash with a New York paparazzo after reaching a settlement over allegations of assault.

The Avatar star became caught up in a tussle with Sheng Li during a bust-up in the Big Apple in February, 2014, when Worthington and his now-wife Lara Bingle took issue with the photographer taking shots of the couple.

Both men were arrested after the incident, and Li subsequently slapped the actor with a $10 million lawsuit, claiming he suffered a torn shoulder, facial contusions and injuries to his thumb and wrist in the altercation, which had been caught on video by another cameraman.

The case was due to go to trial at Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday (08Sep15), but on Thursday (03Sep15), it was reported the two parties had reached a deal. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, according to the New York Daily News.

Li had criminal charges relating to the fight dropped last year (14), while prosecutors agreed to dismiss Worthington's third-degree assault, third-degree attempted assault and second-degree harassment charges as long as he stayed out of trouble.