The 2009 Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies" chronicles the life of notorious gangster John Dillinger, as IMBD explains, focusing on the federal government's attempt to take them down during the tumultuous 1930s. The film was shot in Chicago's North Side by NBC Universal.
What was also tumultuous (besides the time period the movie was set in) was a slip and fall that occurred on set.
As part of the set, the producers covered North Lincoln Ave. with a fake cobblestone cover made of a foam-like substance. The plaintiff was not part of the film crew or an extra but said he and other pedestrians were allowed to walk across the set one day after shooting.
John McManus claims he wasn't warned about the surface and subsequently fell, causing injury. He claims his foot sank into the surface and then got stuck under a fake trolley rail.
With the help of a Chicago accident attorney, he is suing NBC Universal for more than $50,000 and legal costs.
There were no signs or barriers warning pedestrians about the uneven surface, according to an article by the Chicago Tribune. The exact nature of John McManus's injuries is not detailed in his complaint, according to the article, although he describes them as "permanent physical injuries."
In addition to NBC Universal, other defendants include subsidiaries PE Productions LLC and Universal City Studios LLP.
In related news from the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen, the County of Dodge and the city of Columbus, Wisconsin settled a suit for damages allegedly caused to County Highway T when traffic was detoured for the filming of "Public Enemies."
Any party that is responsible for a public walkway or street, as was NBC Universal when it used the space for a movie set, may be held liable for injuries within that location, according to FindLaw. If you believe you were injured as a result of someone else's negligence, Chicago injury lawyers may be able to help.
Related Resources:
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Premises Liability - Overview (FindLaw)
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Jury Awards $3.2M to Woman Injured at Ikea Store (FindLaw's Injured Blog)
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Contact an Illinois Injury Attorney (FindLaw)
