“Fast & Furious Production Company Fined £800,000 for Safety Breach Leading to Stuntman’s Severe Injury”
In a recent court ruling, the creators of the renowned ‘Fast & Furious’ film series, specifically FF9 Pictures, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, have been ordered to pay a substantial fine of £800,000 (over 921,000 euros). The penalty stems from a health and safety failure on the set of the ninth film in 2019, where stuntman Joe Watts sustained serious injuries.
Watts suffered a fractured skull and brain damage when a safety line malfunctioned, causing him to hit his head on the ground. The court highlighted lapses in safety protocols, pointing out that a last-minute change to the stunt, which led to Watts missing the crash mats, was a critical error. Additionally, it was revealed that the cable securing the stuntman had not undergone proper inspection.
The judge overseeing the case expressed concern over the negligence, emphasizing that Watts, known for his work on projects like Game of Thrones and Star Wars, was fortunate to have survived the incident. The substantial fine serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety measures in the entertainment industry.
The makers of the Fast & Furious films have been fined £800,000 after a stuntman fell 25ft (7m) and suffered brain damage on the set of the ninth film in the franchise
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— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 24, 2023