On the set of “America’s Got Talent: Extreme,” Jonathan Goodwin was injured during a stunt and sustained paralysis as a result. He filed a lawsuit in connection with the incident that took place in 2021.
Jonathan Harvey, a 43-year-old former stuntman, filed a complaint in Los Angeles on Wednesday against a number of parties, including Fremantle, Syco Entertainment, Marathon Productions, Walk About Inc., T-Minus Productions, NBCUniversal, and stunt coordinator T.J. White.
According to the lawsuit, which PEOPLE has received, Goodwin is suing due to negligence and exceptional danger, and he is asking for a jury trial.
What did the lawsuit read?
The complaint states, ‘In addition to other behaviors and oversights, the Defendants ignored to adhere to industry safety norms, including but not limited to devising and changing a stunt in a way that greatly increased the likelihood of failure, hiring insufficiently skilled personnel to supervise and manage the safety aspects of the stunt’s design and implementation, poorly controlling the planning and execution of the stunt, failing to test the stunt without a live person after making alterations, neglecting to enforce and mandate sufficient backup measures as well as suitable safety mechanisms (such as airbags and safety nets), and failing to make sure that adequate precautions were taken to prevent injuries.’
The paperwork further states that “Due to the Defendants’ deliberate indifference to the safety of others and their highly negligent and gross violations, Mr. Harvey sustained severe, life-changing injuries.”
White, Syco Entertainment, T-Minus Productions, and NBCUniversal spokespeople have not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comments.
According to a spokeswoman for Fremantle, neither the business nor AGT have any other comments to make. Attempts to get in touch with Marathon Productions and Walk About Inc. for comments were unsuccessful.
How did Goodwin get injuries?
Goodwin attempted to escape while hanging upside down with two automobiles suspended on either side of him while wearing a straitjacket in the stunt that went wrong. According to Amanda Abbington, the fiancée of the stuntman, there was a timing issue that caused Goodwin to become stuck between the two cars, which caused a fire to start.
Sadly, he missed the air mattress meant to catch him, and he fell and struck his head on the floor. The result was “multiple” fractures in both of the performer’s legs as well as scrapes and burns “all over his face,” according to TMZ.
Goodwin posted a selfie on Instagram a few days after the incident that included his bandaged hand and damaged face. He mentioned that just a few days ago, his life had taken a big and unexpected turn in the caption.
statement of spokesperson for ‘America’s Got Talent: Extreme’
The “America’s Got Talent: Extreme” spokesman released a statement to PEOPLE after the incident during a practice. The declaration made it known that escape artist Jonathan Goodwin had suffered harm while putting on his show.
He was swiftly taken to the hospital for medical attention and was said to be alert. The show’s production was briefly suspended as the spokesman sent good wishes to Goodwin and his family with the hope of learning more about his condition.
Goodwin’s lawyer, Stuart Fraenkel, shared a statement
Stuart Fraenkel, Jonathan Goodwin’s lawyer, blasted those responsible for putting money and ratings ahead of safety in a statement to NBC News.
He said that a number of simple precautions might have been taken by the show’s producers and employees to ensure Jonathan’s safety. Instead, he described the production as hurried and disorganized, with a team without the necessary skills and knowledge.
Fraenkel stressed that Jonathan will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of inadequate safety policies, protocols, and procedures.
Jonathan Goodwin wants to draw attention to the ongoing safety concern within the entertainment business by advancing this claim. According to his lawyer, Fraenkel, he is pursuing legal action in the hopes that it would bring attention to the situation, encourage the learning of important lessons, trigger required changes, and eventually shield future victims from needless dangers and hazards.
