Family Of ‘The Walking Dead’ Stuntman Filing Lawsuit With ‘Midnight Rider’ Attorney

The mother of The Walking Dead stuntman John Bernecker, who died in an on-set fall last month, has hired attorney Jeffrey R. Harris to represent what is likely a forthcoming lawsuit. Harris previously won an $11.2 million verdict in a similar case from the set of Midnight Rider.

Bernercker’s mother, Susan Bernecker, is expected to file a lawsuit within the next few weeks according to Harris’ firm. “Accidents like that do not happen on a production without some mistake being made,” Harris said. “That’s a self-evident principle of law.”

Bernecker died in an accident which saw him plummet about 22 feet to the ground, missing the air cushion which had been prepared for him. Assistant director Matthew Goodwin told the police that Bernecker missed the cushion “just by inches.” Goodwin went on to say that the stuntman didn’t get very good separation from the balcony when he started the fall, and that he “attempted to abort the fall by grabbing onto the railing with both hands.”

Harris previously represented the parents of Sarah Jones, who was struck by a train and killed on the set of Midnight Rider while working as a camera assistant. In July, Harris won Richard and Elizabeth Jones $11.2 million following a jury’s decision.

Bernecker, who was 33 years old at the time of the fall, was an experienced stuntman with nearly 100 credits to his name. His work will continue to be seen in titles such as Black Panther as they release in the coming months.

The Walking Dead‘s sibling series Fear the Walking Dead returns September 10th. The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season on October 22, 2017. The Season Eight premiere will mark 100 episodes overall for the popular AMC series. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

(via Variety)