The producers of F9: The Fast Saga – the ninth installment of Fast & Furious – have admitted liability for an accident that resulted in “life-changing” injuries to a stunt performer.
The producers of F9: The Fast Saga – the ninth installment of Fast & Furious – have admitted liability for an accident that resulted in “life-changing” injuries to a stunt performer.
What happened on the set of F9: The Fast Saga?
In a recent lawsuit filed in the UK Supreme Court (via diversity), FF9 Pictures Limited – a subsidiary of Universal Pictures – accepted that they were responsible for an accident in which stunt performer Joe Watts was injured.
“It is admitted that the sole cause of the accident was the negligence of (FF9 Pictures Limited) its servants or agents or those for whom it is liable as an agent,” the company wrote, also noting that it has no claims of negligence made watts.
During filming of the film in 2019, Watts rehearsed a fight scene at Leavesden Studios as a replacement for Vin Diesel. Watts was then thrown from a height of more than twenty feet over a balcony and onto a concrete floor.
Watts claims a safety wire that was supposed to keep him from falling to the ground was malfunctioning. As a result, he missed the safety mat. Watts suffered a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric injury and damage to his shoulder; After the accident, he was in a coma for five days. His attorneys allege Watts had “a range of cognitive and physical issues” that required specialist support and therapy.
Although the producers behind the film have admitted liability, the case has not yet been resolved. Watts’ compensation is expected to be determined by court or agreed between Watts and FF9 Limited, but this is pending.
In its defense statement, FF9 Limited said they would not make “further admissions” to Watts’ injuries and declined to comment on Watts’ compensation. The LLC noted that they would review “expert evidence” to advise on what might be most appropriate.
In a statement to Variety, Watts said he was “grateful” that FF9 Limited had admitted liability. He is now calling on the film industry to make their standards and practices safer for people like him.
“It’s been almost four years since the accident and during that time I’ve worked incredibly hard on my recovery,” Watts said. “I know I’ll never perform again, which still upsets me, but I’m determined to get my life back on track as best I can. I am therefore grateful that FF9 Limited has admitted liability and now call on the film industry to make their sets safer for those working on them. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone.”