Disney is being fined $36,000 for the accidental death of a Marvel’s Wonder Man crew member, according to Comicbook. On August 23, 2024, a press release said that the company received two citations that are each $18,000, to examine light technician J.C. “Spike” Osorio’s (Ant-Man and The Wasp, Big Bad Wolf) death after falling on set.
The incident happened on February 6, 2024, at Radford Studio Center and followed a Cal/OSHA search that discovered a run-down catwalk that had decomposed wood and was nailed incorrectly. The RSC also received two penalties of $22,500, and both establishments have fifteen days to reconsider to the Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board. After Osorio’s death, various studios elevated their catwalks so that theirs was safe.
“The deteriorated ledger was weakened likely due to age, environmental conditions and repeated stress loads over many decades,” the synopsis of the incident reads via Comicbook,“As the crew walked along the catwalks, the employee stood on the weakened section of the catwalk. Suddenly, and without warning, the ledger supporting the floorboard broke apart and collapsed as the employee was standing on this section of the catwalk. The employee fell 41 feet and forcefully impacted the ground below.”
Osorio’s family already started a wrongful death lawsuit against the RSC at the beginning of the year, allegedly informing that the premises should have been aware and notified employees of the catwalk’s state. The details of the precise damages remain unclear.
Erika Contreras, the family’s attorney, spoke out for them. “The citations issued by OSHA against Radford Studio Center confirm that Mr. Osorio’s death was 100% preventable,” Contreras told Variety. “It also confirms Radford Studio Center failed in its non-delegable duty to properly maintain, repair and inspect its premises. Unfortunately, Mr. Osorio paid the ultimate price for Radford’s failure.”
Wonder Man stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen (Aquaman, The Matrix Resurrection) , who plays Simon Williams / Wonder Man, a dual Hollywood actor and superhero. Additional stars include Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3) as Trevor Slattery and Demetrius Grosse (The Rookie) as Grim Reaper, with Byron Bowers (Lady In The Lake) and Lauren Glazier (Tales Of The Walking Dead) in unknown roles. The show is directed by James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now), Stella Meghie (Everything, Everything) and Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi And The Legend of The Ten Rings), an executive producer on the show, as he was granted a first-look deal with Marvel.