In a regrettable accident that occurred earlier this year, a crew member tragically lost his life while working on ‘Wonder Man’, a Marvel series. Entertainment juggernaut Disney was hit with a fine of $36,000 for this dreadful incident. The victim was J.C. ‘Spike’ Osorio, a respected 41-year-old lighting technician, who plunged from a wooden boardwalk that had deteriorated over time – a discovery made by the Cal/OSHA investigation team.
The fatal event took place on the 6th of February at the Radford Studio Center’s Stage 3, located in Studio City. Cal/OSHA’s investigation revealed some troubling truths – the wooden walkway that led to Osorio’s fall was in a state of decay. The whole thing gave way, in their words, ‘suddenly and without warning.’
Their report noted that ‘the deteriorated ledger was weakened likely due to age, environmental conditions, and repeated stress loads over many decades.’ Two hefty penalties of $18,000 each were bestowed upon Disney, the parent company of Marvel. Findings concluded that Osorio was on a decayed section of the walkway when unexpectedly the ledger underneath the floorboard broke apart, collapsing beneath him.
As the floor gave out, Osorio suffered a devastating 41-foot fall. The impact of his body hitting the ground was described as forceful, emphasizing the height of his fall and the tragic fatality of the accident. This led to further scrutiny from Cal/OSHA as they turned their attention to the premises.
This took the form of two citations, each amounting to $22,500, issued to the Radford Studio Center. The studio, standing for nearly a century, found itself in the crosshairs of this tragic incident and burdened with these significant fines. This move highlighted both the alleged negligence leading to the accident and its aftermath repercussions.
Later on, in May, Zoila Osorio, his mother, and Joanne Osorio-Wu, his widow, responded to the accident by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the Radford Studio Center. The lawsuit claimed that the studio should have acknowledged the dilapidated state of the catwalks, suggesting their desperate need for repair.
Erika Contreras, the family’s legal representative, made a powerful statement to the press. To quote, she indicated that the citations ‘confirm that Mr. Osorio’s death was 100% preventable.’ She further elucidated on her client’s stance by stating, ‘It also confirms Radford Studio Center failed in its non-delegable duty to properly maintain, repair and inspect its premises.’
Contreras emphasized the weight of the situation – that Osorio’s life was lost as the outcome of Radford’s neglect. She argued that the lack of necessary action and commitment to safety, which should have been inherent from the Center, ultimately led to Osorio’s untimely death.
The story takes another turn with Hackman Capital Partners, the business entity that took ownership of the studio from ViacomCBS in the year 2021; the transaction valued at a lustrous $1.85 billion. They notably abstained from commenting on this tragic occurrence when approached on Friday.
Back in February, at the time of the incident, the company expressed sorrow over the death of Osorio. They mentioned that they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss of life and confirmed their full cooperation with the subsequent investigations that arose post the accident.
Aside from assisting on ‘Wonder Man’, Osorio had been involved in a number of other renowned projects in the entertainment industry. He was a member of IATSE Local 728 and his portfolio included illustrious film and television series.
Osorio’s work extended to the silver screen where he shined working on films like ‘The Dark Tower’ and ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’. The combination of these projects showcased his talent and dedication to his craft, leaving an indelible mark in Hollywood.
In addition to these blockbuster movies, Osorio’s work was also prevalent on the small screen. He had worked on acclaimed TV series such as ‘Goliath’, ‘Mayans M.C.’ and ‘American Born Chinese’, demonstrating his lighting expertise across a variety of projects.
His impressive breadth of work through the years demonstrates his dedication to his craft and the loss felt by Hollywood when such a talent is abruptly taken away.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adherence to safety measures and regular inspections. Facilities such as the Radford Studio Center ought to prioritize the safety of their crew above all else. The industry owes it to people like Osorio, who dedicate their lives to creating the magic of entertainment.
In the wake of Osorio’s untimely passing and the consequent investigations, one can hope that necessary changes will be implemented industry-wide. Lessons must be learned from this incident to prevent such unnecessary loss in the future.