The producers of NBC reality competition “America’s Got Talent” have been hit with a wrongful death lawsuit that alleges a woman died as the result of a mishap at a taping site of the show.
The suit, filed against FremantleMedia and NBCUniversal, says that Maureen Allen was volunteering at the Pasadena Convention Center, where “AGT” was also preparing for a taping, when she attempted to roll over a power-cord protector that was obstructing the sole unblocked access ramp at the venue in her motorized wheelchair.
According to the suit, filed by Allen’s estate, the front wheel of her scooter got caught and turned suddenly, causing it to flip on its side.
“Maureen Allen was violently thrown off her scooter onto the hard pavement, and she sustained severe injuries, including injuries to her head and her arms, as well as a fractured hip,” the suit, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, states.
Allen was hospitalized and suffered a stroke the next day, and her health continued to decline, according to the complaint. Multiple surgeries later, the suit says, Allen was placed on life support, and subsequently died on June 25, 2017, three months after the alleged incident.
Fremantle had no comment for TheWrap on the suit. TheWrap has also reached out to NBCUniversal for comment.
Alleging wrongful death, negligent infliction of emotional distress and other counts, the suit seeks unspecified damages.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.