Mother Of ‘Walking Dead’ Stuntman John Bernecker Files Lawsuit Against AMC

Susan Bernecker, the mother of stuntman John Bernecker, has filed a wrongful death suit against AMC for the death of her son on July 12, 2017.

Bernecker died from his injuries after falling from a balcony during a stunt practice on the hit  show The Walking Dead. Bernecker missed his landing cushion by “just inches.” The lawsuit claims that while filming AMC was aware of the cost-cutting practices during production of the show.

The lawsuit asserts that “productions of season 8 The Walking Dead, like seasons before it, had an emphasis on keeping production budgets low and profits high.” Another claim from the lawsuit states, “As part of this emphasis, the AMC Defendants pressured Stalwart Films to maintain unreasonably low budgets and expenses for episodes, including the budget allotted to stunts. Accordingly, the production of The Walking Dead repeatedly cut corners on safety precaution, including as it pertained to stunt performances.”

While practicing the stunt for the first time, there was a medic on location but there was no ambulance or medical transport for Bernecker.

“As the ultimate decision-makers for The Walking Dead production, the AMC Defendants are each independently responsible for the failure of The Walking Dead production to take reasonable safety precautions to protect its performer, John Bernecker,“ the lawsuit reads. “Each of the Defendants had knowledge, actual or constructive, that the filming of Season 8 of The Walking Dead, including Episode 807, was not being performed in a safe manner in accordance with industry standards.”

Bernecker’s mother intends to “seek justice for John and to ensure that no other parent with a child working in the film and television industry suffers this kind of heartbreak.”