While in the midst of filming the opening sequence of a new reality TV show for the Discovery Channel, a woman set to star on the show lost her life due to an explosion involving pyrotechnic devices, as reported by the Courthouse News Service. Her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming that Discovery Communications and Anthropic Productions knew that the devices had been manufactured by an unlicensed professional.
The woman killed, T.F., was due to star in a program along with her husband and daughter entitled, "Brothers in Arms." The family was to share their life as owners and operators of a gun store, museum, paintball park and firing range in Colorado Springs known to Internet users as "the most exciting place in Colorado." The store was called "Dragon Man" and the entire filming occurred on the premises.
The plaintiffs in the suit are listed as T.F.'s husband M.B. and her daughter M.F.B. Both were present during the incident.
The complaint states that "…On or about June 14, 2012, Discovery and Anthropic were filming the opening sequence for the 'Brothers in Arms' pilot…For the opening sequence, Discovery and Anthropic planned to have five of the Dragon Man personnel, including both plaintiffs, walk through a cloud of smoke carrying weapons."
The suit continues, "To produce the smoke for the opening sequence, Discovery and Anthropic utilized two pyrotechnic devices that Discovery and Anthropic knew had not been manufactured by a licensed and experienced manufacturer of pyrotechnic devices. Neither Discovery nor Anthropic had sought or obtained any permit from the proper governmental authority authorizing the use of pyrotechnic…Neither Discovery nor Anthropic had retained the services of a licensed pyrotechnics operator…and no licensed pyrotechnics operator was on-scene for the filming of the opening..."
The suit concludes by stating, "During the filming of the opening sequence…the pyrotechnic devices malfunctioned when the on-scene producer ignited them. When the pyrotechnic devices malfunctioned, they shot like missiles toward the five Dragon Man personnel, and one of the devices struck (T.F.), killing her instantly."
According to reporters, M.B. said that T.F. was killed by smoke bombs that "went right through her body. She didn't suffer or nothing, she just dropped."
The reality show never aired on the Discovery Channel.
The gun store's website now has a tribute to T.F., referred to as "Terrible Terry", as well as an advertisement that reads, "Our next Machine Gun Shoot will be September 14th, and 15th 2013!! Dragon Man will be renting out over 200 machine guns to the public!! It is very safe and gives the average person a chance to shoot one of these awesome weapons! It is very organized and we will have over 20 instructors on site both days…"
M.B. an M.F.B. are represented by Denver-based attorney Thomas Tasker. Damages are being sought for wrongful death, negligence and the negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The death of a loved one can be inconsolable. However, in the case of a wrongful death, a lawsuit can help force change to prevent others from similar harm. Contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit today!