Resident Evil stunt double Olivia Jackson has just won a legal battle concerning the horrific on-set accident that resulted in her arm being amputated. A South African court has ruled in favor of Jackson’s case based on the claims that she was asked to perform an unsafe stunt. One that went wrong, leaving her with life-changing injuries.
The accident occurred in 2015 during a high-speed motorcycle shoot on the set of Resident Evil: The Final chapter. During the shoot, Jackson was racing forward atop a motorbike in rainy weather with low visibility and minimal safety gear. The risky high action scene involved a crane operator who was to raise the camera at the last second to perform a sweep over her head. The scene itself was performed with two practices takes beforehand; however, it was on the third that something went wrong. In the horrific accident, and for reasons unclear, Jackson drove forward to collide instead head-on with the oncoming camera mounted vehicle.
The accident left Jackson in a coma for 17 days with multiple severe injuries, including punctured lungs, facial scarring, broken ribs, and nerve damage. The damage to her left arm was so severe she had opted for its amputation just above the elbow.
Jackson had previously taken legal action against Director Paul Anderson and partner Jeremy Bolt late last year. However, charges were dropped, with the accused parties stating that Jackson’s lawyers were “Suing the wrong people in the wrong place.”
As the accident occurred in South Africa under the influence of the company “Davis Films,” Jackson sought compensation through the South African legal system. To which a court has just ruled in Jackson’s favor—confirming that the stunt was, in fact, “negligently planned.” With another unnamed crew member stating that it was “raining and freezing” and that they “should never have done the stunt.” Further, Allegations include testimony from the crane operator, who states that the timing of the crane was actually changed without Jackson’s knowledge.
I miss my old face. I miss my old body. I miss my old life. At least I now finally have a court judgment that proves this stunt was badly planned and that it was not my fault,” – Olivia Jackson.
If you want to know more about Olivia Jackson’s tragic case, feel free to read the full story regarding the accident via The Hollywood Reporter here.
