Elf the Musical star who sued for £1.7m after falling off ladder accepts major payout
A STAR of Elf the Musical who sued for £1.7million after falling off a rotating ladder has accepted a major payout.
Ben Forster left the audience stunned when he broke his ankle while playing Will Ferrell’s character Buddy in a stage version of the 2003 film.
Mr Forster, 42, was standing on the 8ft ladder while decorating a Christmas tree and performing a song.
In his High Court claim, he said the wheeled prop became “unstable” while spinning, toppled over and landed on him as he tried to jump clear.
Mr Foster had previously appeared in the musical with Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh and had also played Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show Jesus Christ Superstar.
He claimed the injury at The Lowry Theatre, Salford, in January 2018, wrecked his chances of ever being a leading man again in a West End show.
He said he still suffers pain from the ankle fracture and ligament damage when in physical roles, and from psychological problems including anxiety.
His lawyers claimed that the prop was “foreseeably dangerous” — while fellow elves were accused of not taking enough care when they spun the ladder, causing it to fall after striking an actor’s foot.
Mr Forster sued Elf The Musical (UK) Ltd for £1.7million in compensation and has now agreed a confidential settlement.
The musical’s producer and insurer denied liability and said there was a risk assessment before every show.
Insurers will make a substantial payout and cover the £100,000-plus lawyers’ bills.