Despite bad weather conditions, the crew of the Warner Bros. series The Winchesters was ordered to continue filming. Shortly afterwards, lightning struck a crew member.
Now Warner Bros. indicted for last year’s incident in Louisiana, charged with flouting safety rules. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for bodily harm, pain and emotional distress suffered by plaintiff Bryan DeLorenzo. Warners, The CW Network and executive producer Jensen Ackles, who played the lead Supernatural, the predecessor of The Winchesters, were mentioned.
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According to the complaint filed Thursday, a heavy downpour was underway during the filming.
Director John Showalter allegedly changed the scene to allow it to be shot in the rain. He ordered the crew to continue filming despite questions about safety.
DeLorenzo was standing next to a camera when a loud ‘Boom’ occurred,” the complaint alleges.
DeLorenzo said he “saw a bright white light and then he was struck by lightning, knocking him unconscious.” He was sent to the emergency room.
Production safety rules stipulated that if lightning strikes within a ten-mile area around the film set, production must be stopped immediately. The closure was supposed to last until 30 minutes after the thunderstorm had passed.
DeLorenzo claims in the court papers that he communicated with Warners’ production coordinator and safety officials about the procedures to follow when shooting during adverse weather conditions. He was told to buy lightning detectors and weather apps.
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