Despite facing adverse weather conditions, the crew of Warner Bros. series The Winchesters continued filming, leading to a crew member being struck by lightning. This incident, which took place in Louisiana last year, has resulted in Warner Bros. facing a lawsuit that accuses them of neglecting safety guidelines. The lawsuit, filed by Bryan DeLorenzo, seeks compensatory and punitive damages for the physical injuries, pain, and emotional distress suffered as a result of the incident. Warner Bros., The CW Network, and executive producer Jensen Ackles have all been implicated in the lawsuit.
During the shoot, a heavy rainstorm was taking place, as stated in the complaint filed on Thursday. Director John Showalter purportedly altered the scene to include rain, despite concerns about safety. Despite these concerns, the crew was instructed to continue filming. It was during this time that DeLorenzo, standing near a camera, was struck by lightning. The complaint alleges that DeLorenzo witnessed a bright white light before becoming unconscious and was subsequently rushed to the emergency room.
Safety Rules Ignored
Specific safety rules regarding productions in bad weather conditions were in place, including the immediate shutdown if lightning struck within a six-mile radius of the film set. According to DeLorenzo’s claims in the court papers, he had communicated with the production coordinator and safety officers at Warner Bros. about the necessary procedures to follow in such weather conditions. He had been advised to purchase lightning detectors and weather apps. However, despite being aware of these guidelines, the production team allegedly disregarded them, leading to the unfortunate incident.
As a victim of the incident, DeLorenzo is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the physical injuries sustained, the resulting pain endured, and the emotional distress caused. Compensatory damages aim to cover the medical expenses, loss of income, and any other tangible losses resulting from the incident. On the other hand, punitive damages are meant to punish the defendants for their alleged negligence and deter similar incidents from occurring in the future. Warner Bros., The CW Network, and Jensen Ackles have all been named in the lawsuit, holding them accountable for the alleged failure to prioritize the safety of their crew members.
Lessons Learned
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety rules and guidelines, especially when working in hazardous conditions. Film productions should always prioritize the well-being of their crew members and take proactive measures to ensure their safety. Neglecting to follow safety protocols can have severe consequences, as evidenced by the unfortunate incident during the filming of The Winchesters.
The lawsuit against Warner Bros., filed by Bryan DeLorenzo, highlights the alleged disregard for safety rules during the production of The Winchesters. Despite the presence of guidelines regarding filming in bad weather conditions, the crew continued filming during heavy rain and even after lightning struck within close proximity. As a result of this negligence, DeLorenzo was struck by lightning and suffered physical injuries, pain, and emotional distress. This incident serves as a reminder for the film industry to prioritize safety and ensure that proper protocols are followed to prevent similar incidents in the future.