Stephen Fry is suing two companies that organised a tech conference where he was injured in 2023 after falling off the stage, high court documents show. The actor and presenter broke his hip and suffered multiple breaks in his right leg, pelvis and ribs when he attended the CogX festival at the O2 Arena to deliver a talk on artificial intelligence on 14 September 2023.
Court documents reveal Fry is bringing a claim for damages against CogX Festival Ltd and Blonstein Events. The claim states the incident was caused by negligence and breach of statutory duty in failing to ensure the stage and backstage area were safe, adequately lit and properly protected to prevent a fall from height.
The claimant is seeking damages for personal injuries and consequential losses up to £100,000, including an award for pain, suffering and loss of amenity exceeding £1,000, plus interest and costs. A spokesperson for CogX Festival Ltd said they cannot comment while the legal process is ongoing but expressed concern and sent best wishes for Fry's recovery.
Blonstein Events director Sara Blonstein said her company has not yet been formally notified of the claim. In a statement reported by the BBC, the company said: 'No court proceedings have been served by Sir Stephen Fry, nor those representing him. If court proceedings are served both we and our insurers are confident that our defence will be successful as we were in no way responsible for this incident.'
Speaking about his fall to BBC Radio 2's Claudia Winkleman, Fry said he delivered a lecture, bowed, turned and walked off a part of the stage where there was nothing, falling six feet onto concrete. He praised his lucky stars he did not injure his spine or skull and thanked the NHS, calling it 'extraordinary' for the care he received at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
