“AGT: Extreme”'s Jonathan Goodwin Suing Over 2021 Stunt That Left Him Paralyzed
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The former stuntman was injured in October 2021 when filming 'America's Got Talent: Extreme'
Jonathan Goodwin, who was left paralyzed after he was injured during a stunt on the set of America's Got Talent: Extreme, has filed a lawsuit over the 2021 incident.
On Wednesday, the 43-year-old former stuntman filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against Fremantle, Syco Entertainment, Marathon Productions, Walk About Inc., T-Minus Productions, NBCUniversal and stunt coordinator T.J. White.
The lawsuit, which was obtained by PEOPLE, states that Goodwin — whose given name is Jonathan Harvey — is suing for negligence and peculiar risk, and he is demanding a jury trial.
The lawsuit reads, "Among other actions and inactions, Defendants failed to implement industry safety standards, including, but not limited to, designing and modifying a stunt in a manner that made it highly likely to fail, hiring incompetent individuals to oversee and control the safety of the design and execution of the stunt, improperly controlling the design and execution of the stunt, failing to test the stunt without a live person after modifications were made, failing to implement and require adequate redundancies and suitable airbags (safety nets), and failing to ensure that adequate safeguards were taken to prevent injuries."
"Because of Defendants conscious disregard for the safety of others and for their gross wanton and reckless breaches, Mr. Harvey suffered catastrophic, life-altering injuries," the documents continue.
Representatives for NBCUniversal, Syco Entertainment, T-Minus Productions and White did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. A representative for Fremantle told PEOPLE that the company and AGT had no comment, while Marathon Productions and Walk About Inc. could not be reached for comment.
Goodwin's lawyer, Stuart Fraenkel, shared a statement with NBC News and criticized those involved for “putting profits and ratings before safety.”
"The producers and staff working on this show could have taken a number of simple steps to ensure Jonathan's safety. Instead, the production was rushed, chaotic and staffed by a team that lacked the necessary expertise and experience," he said. "Jonathan will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life because there were inadequate safety practices, protocols and procedures in place to protect him."
"He is bringing this claim to bring attention to an ongoing lack of safety problem in the entertainment industry,” Fraenkel added. “He hopes that by bringing this claim, lessons will be learned, changes will be made and others in the future will not be exposed to unnecessary risks and danger.”
Goodwin was hospitalized in 2021 after a rehearsal of his escape act on NBC's America's Got Talent: Extreme went wrong. The incident occurred at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the show was being filmed.
The stunt involved Goodwin being clad in a straitjacket and hung upside, while he attempted to escape in between two cars suspended alongside him. Timing was misjudged, according to the stuntman's fiancée, Amanda Abbington, and he then found himself sandwiched between the two cars, which then burst into flames. Goodwin missed the air mattress that was supposed to break his fall, hitting his head on the ground.
The performer suffered "multiple" broken bones in both of his legs, in addition to cuts and burns "all over his face," according to TMZ.
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"During a rehearsal last evening for America's Got Talent: Extreme, an accident occurred in which escape artist Jonathan Goodwin was injured while performing his act," a spokesperson for the show told PEOPLE in a statement at the time, shortly before production was temporarily shut down.
"He was responsive and was immediately taken to the hospital where he is continuing to receive medical care. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition," the statement continued.
Days after the accident, Goodwin posted a selfie of his injured face and bandaged hand to Instagram, writing in the caption how "a couple of days ago my life took a complete left turn."
"I have been to the very brink and dodged the worst that a human being can, without fear…because I was protected by love," he also wrote. "Love is all you need, so make sure you get some."
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