‘Hangover II’ Stuntman Hurt in Car Trick

LOS ANGELES (CN) - An Australian stuntman who suffered serious brain injuries when a set-piece went awry on the set of "The Hangover Part II" in Bangkok has sued Warner Bros. He claims the stunt coordinator changed the trick while it was occurring.

Scott McLean and his partner Raelene Chapman accuse Warner Bros. Entertainment, H2 Films, second unit director Brian Smrz and stunt coordinator Russell Solberg of negligence in the "life-threatening accident" in December of last year.

McLean, doubling for actor Ed Helms in the sequel to "The Hangover," was hurt "during a stunt scene that involved automobiles traveling at high speeds," according to the federal complaint.

"The stunt required that precision and timing be designed and executed properly. The timing sequence was critical," the complaint states.

McLean says Solberg, who "gave final direction," and Smrz, who directed the filmed sequence, "were negligent in causing the stunt scene to be performed in an unsafe and improper manner."

The stunt man claims Solberg changed the dangerous trick while it was happening.

"After causing the stunt sequence to begin, and while it was in progress, Russell Solberg, for reasons unknown, directed and commanded to the participants that the timing sequence change; Solberg commanded to the driver of the automobile in which plaintiff Scott McLean was a passenger, that the speed of his vehicle be increased significantly to a speed unsafe for the stunt, thus resulting in a major collision," according to the complaint.

McLean says the last-second changes caused "a serious and unplanned head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle that was traveling as part of the stunt scene."

"McLean suffered serious brain and other physical injuries, and was in a medically induced coma for almost two months. McLean was thereafter airlifted from Thailand to Australia, and has been in a hospital or rehabilitation facility since that time. Plaintiff McClean's injuries include likely permanent brain and physical injuries. He suffers ongoing seizures, speech impediments, physical impediments, and brain trauma," the complaint states.

Chapman also performed stunts on the movie. She says that since the accident she's been at McLean's side "virtually full time" and is "unable to work." She also seeks damages for emotional distress and loss of consortium.

The Australian couple are represented by S. Jerome Mandel, with Mandel Norwood & Grant.

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