'AGT: Extreme' Contestant Sues NBC Over Failed Stunt That Made Him A Paraplegic

A former contestant on "AGT: Extreme," Jonathan Goodwin, is suing NBC for nearly fatal injuries, claiming that the network did not do enough to protect him and ensure his safety while on set for the show.

According to legal documents obtained by The Blast, Goodwin claims that "AGT: Extreme" producers and NBC kept on intensifying the degree of the stunts in an attempt to keep the show as enjoyable as possible for viewers.

He also claims the showrunners interfered with his stunts during production, almost costing him his life.

Stuntman Jonathan Goodwin has taken legal steps against NBC and "America's Got Talent" following a gruesome injury on set in 2021, which almost cost him his life.

Goodwin, who appeared on the "AGT: Extreme" version of the show, which, at the time, promised to deliver viewers with daredevil, scary, and extreme stunts, almost lost his life after performing a stunt that went awry.

He claims in his lawsuit that the producers of the show, in a bid to keep things interesting, cut corners on safety and made numerous attempts to increase the extreme nature of the stunts.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Goodwin alleges that the showrunners planned, controlled, and interfered in his performance, leading to his near-fatal accident on set.

Goodwin claims he was left severely injured after dislocating his spinal cord, suffering 3rd-degree burns, fracturing his legs, ribs, and shoulders, and losing his left kidney.

He is suing NBC for damages, adding that they failed to implement or follow industry safety standards.

In October 2021, Goodwin, who competed on season 15 of "AGT," was filming his daring stunt for the spinoff show, "America's Got Talent: Extreme," when things went wrong.

A report by TMZ at the time revealed that the stuntman, who refers to himself as "The Daredevil," was "suspended 70 feet in the air in a straitjacket hanging by his feet from a wire" with "two cars were suspended on either side of him ... swinging back and forth."

The extreme stunt performance reportedly involved Goodwin freeing himself from restraints and landing on air mattresses while avoiding getting crushed by two vehicles swinging in the air. 

For some reason, the stunt did not go as planned, and the cars ended up smashing into each other and sandwiching Goodwin between them. But things only worsened as the vehicles exploded, causing Goodwin to fall and hit his head on the ground.

Despite the gruesome accident, "The Daredevil" was responsive when medics airlifted him to the hospital. 

At the time, a spokesperson for "AGT" said of the disaster to People magazine, "During a rehearsal last evening for America's Got Talent: Extreme, an accident occurred in which escape artist Jonathan Goodwin was injured while performing his act."

They added, "He was responsive and was immediately taken to the hospital where he is continuing to receive medical care. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition."

Despite the extreme state his body was in following the accident, Goodwin was able to put on a brave face a few days after, taking to Instagram to share his gratitude for the outpouring of love he received.

On October 21, he wrote from the hospital, "You can't say you don't get out what you put in. Ive tried my hardest over the years to be kind, thoughtful, honest supportive and good. A couple of days ago my life took a complete left turn… and the out pouring of love from all the corners of the world; from people I didn't even think would know or remember me… has just been astonishing."

He added, "Thank you to everyone who has reached out and sent their love and support. It literally has been a lifesaver."

By 2022, Goodwin was discharged from the hospital on his birthday, February 20. The stuntman shared a sweet photo on Instagram with his partner, Amanda Abbington, and a caption read, "Four months later… finally out of hospital. My birthday today… can’t think of a better way to spend it than with my love."