Sir Stephen Fry is suing CogX Festival Limited and Blonstein Events for up to £100,000 in damages, High Court documents reveal. The 68-year-old actor and presenter broke multiple bones after falling off a stage at the O2 Arena in September 2023, following a talk during the CogX festival.
The legal claim states: 'The claimant brings a claim for damages for personal injuries sustained on September 14 2023 at the O2 Arena, London, whilst attending the CogX festival where he had been engaged to deliver a talk on artificial intelligence.'
'After concluding his presentation and whilst exiting the stage backstage area, the claimant fell approximately two metres from the stage to the concrete floor below.'
'The incident was caused by the negligence and/or breach of statutory duty of the defendants, its servants or agents, in failing to ensure that the stage and backstage area were safe, adequately lit and properly protected to prevent a fall from height.'
'The claimant claims damages for personal injuries and consequential losses up to £100,000, which includes an award for pain, suffering and loss of amenity exceeding £1,000, together with interest on damages… and costs.'
CogX Festival and Blonstein Events, which are yet to submit a defence to the claim, have been approached for comment.
In December 2023, Sir Stephen told Claudia Winkleman’s BBC Radio 2 programme that he broke his right leg 'in a couple of places', as well as 'my hip and my pelvis in four places and a bunch of ribs' in the fall. He said: 'I did my bow after delivering this lecture, turned to go off stage and didn’t realise that I was walking off a part of the stage where there was nothing. Six-foot drop onto concrete.'
Keith Barrett, a partner at law firm Fieldfisher – which is representing Sir Stephen, said: 'It’s very unfortunate that court proceedings were necessary, but the defendants do not accept Sir Stephen’s account of events, and we have had to ask the court to determine who is responsible for his injury and losses.'
No hearing has yet been scheduled in the claim.
