‘Spider-Man’ Stuntman Sues for $6M Over Injuries

"Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" performer claims that equipment was improperly calibrated, leading to "severe, serious and permanent injuries"

The tangled legal web over the troubled stage production "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" continues to spin and expand.

Richard Kobak, a former stuntman on the production, is suing Live Nation Worldwide and other companies for a total of $6 million, claiming that they provided the play with equipment, safety devices and other devices that were improperly maintained and eventually led to his injury.

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According to the suit, filed in U.S.. District Court in New York last week, Live Nation Worldwide Inc. supplied and provided the play's producers, 8 Legged Productions, with "certain equipment, devices, machinery, computers, computer programs, systems, navigation systems, safety devices and all relevant and necessary items" used to perform the role of Spider-Man.

The suit also names Scott Fisher, principal of Fisher Technical Services Rentals and Fisher Technical Services Inc., who Kobak maintains was "responsible for the design, creation, manufacture, fabrication, installation, maintenance, repair and upkeep" of various items in the production.

Also read: Julie Taymor Sues "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" Producers

According to Kobak's suit, he replaced another performing stunts in the title role. However, the system that allowed Kobak to perform his acts of onstage derring-do "was improperly calibrated for the height, weight and size of the Plaintiff," leading to "repeated violent, hard, harsh and jolting landings over repeated performances" that led to "severe, serious and permanent injuries that required medical treatment" and still do.

The suit doesn't specify those injuries, but according to the Associated Press, Kobak previously claimed that he had suffered a concussion, whiplash and two holes in his knees while in the production.

Claiming that the defendants were "negligent, careless, and/or reckless," Kobak is seeking a total of $6 million in damages.

Also read: "Spider-Man" Musical Plans Hiatus, Delays Opening — Again

Live Nation has not yet responded to TheWrap's request for comment. Fisher had no comment for TheWrap.

Plagued by multiple injuries to cast members, delays and budget woes, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," which opened on Broadway in 2011, has also been ensnared in legal difficulties. In addition to the suit filed by Kobak, the play's former director, Julie Taylor, has filed suit against the producers, claiming that she hasn't been compensated for her work on the play. That suit was settled.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this article

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