Stephen Fry has sued a tech conference for £100,000 in damages after he fell six feet off a stage during an appearance, breaking his leg, hip and ribs.
The broadcaster and author, 68, was delivering a keynote speech at the CogX convention at the O2 Arena in London in September 2023 when his fall occurred.
Stephen had just concluded his speech and was attempting to leave the stage when he dropped, landing on the concrete below.
He was rushed to hospital, having broken his right leg in a number of places, his pelvis in four, and several ribs. He relied on a walking stick for some time after the incident.
Court documents reveal Stephen has brought a personal injury claim against the company, CogX Festival Ltd, as well as creative agency Blonstein Events Ltd, for up to £100,000.
Files lodged on his behalf state: ‘The Claimant brings a claim for damages for personal injuries sustained on 14 September 2023 at the O2 Arena, London, whilst attending the CogX Festival where he had been engaged to deliver a talk on Artificial Intelligence.
Stephen Fry has sued a tech conference for £100,000 in damages after he fell six feet off stage during an appearance, breaking his leg, hip and ribs
The broadcaster and author, 68, was delivering a keynote speech at the CogX convention at the O2 Arena in London in September 2023 when his fall occurred
‘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.’
In a statement to BBC News, a spokesman for CogX said: ‘We are unable to comment while the legal process is ongoing, but we were all deeply concerned when Stephen had the accident after giving his incredible speech on the Impact of AI, and we continue to send him our best wishes for a full recovery.’
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Stephen for comment.
Keith Barrett of Fieldfisher, who is representing him in the action, told the broadcaster: ‘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.’
A spokesman for Blonstein Events Ltd said: ‘No court proceedings have been served by Sir Stephen Fry, nor those representing him.
‘If court proceedings are served both we and are insurers are confident that our defence will be successful as we were in no way responsible for this incident.’
Stephen revealed the full extent of his injuries during an interview with Claudia Winkleman on BBC Radio 2 in December 2023.
He explained: ‘I was doing an event at the O2 arena. I did my hour after delivering this lecture, turned to go off stage and didn’t realise I was walking off a part of stage where there was nothing but a six-foot drop onto concrete.
‘I broke my right leg in a couple of places, my pelvis in four places and a bunch of ribs. I’m now fine. I’m now without a stick.
Stephen previously praised the NHS and the care he received at Queen Elizabeth Woolwich after the fall, saying it could have been much worse
‘It’s been fine so far but I feel slightly self-conscious without the stick. The cane, more than helping me walk, is a flag to everyone around. I live in the centre of London where the pavements are absolutely packed. So [this time of year] you get slightly nervous with people stopping to take pictures of lights, or the [pavement] is slightly slippy’.
Stephen also praised the NHS and the care he received at Queen Elizabeth Woolwich after the fall, saying it could have been much worse.
He said: ‘The person treating me told me he was treating a patient who had fallen on the same day as me, half the distance, and would never walk again.
‘So I really praise my lucky stars. If it had been the spine or the skull who knows’.
After the fall, Greenwich Council said it had been alerted to the incident and was mulling over opening an investigation.
