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Squid Game contestants to SUE Netflix show over horror injuries including ‘hypothermia & nerve damage’ during UK filming
Participants reported sustaining injuries after filming in plunging temperatures
CONTESTANTS on Netflix’s Squid Game spin-off game show are to sue claiming they suffered serious injuries including hypothermia and nerve damage.
The allegation comes after some complained about feeling unwell after they had to stay motionless for hours in freezing temperatures while filming in the UK for new series Squid Game: The Challenge.
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The streaming giant’s reality version of the global hit about a deadly fight-to-the-death contest is being released worldwide today called Squid Game: The Challenge.
Fans of the show from Europe, the US and Australia flew into the UK to take compete for millions in prize money.
But some have now instructed lawyers claiming they did not know they would be risking their health by crouching motionless for long periods in cold temperatures.
One of the injured claimants says she suffered hypothermia, and another saw his hands go purple.
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One reported she had to queue to complain to staff about her injuries and ill-fitting equipment.
A contestant complained they have nerve damage and is taking legal action against the show’s producers.
Daniel Slade of accident specialists Express Solicitors is supervising cases where claims have been made against Netflix’s production company Studio Lambert.
He said: “We have sent letters of claim on behalf of contestants injured in this show.
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“We recognise people may see this as a classic ‘David and Goliath’ battle with the company and its production partners.
“Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and those injured did not expect to suffer as they did.
"Now they have been left with injuries after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures.
“One client describes seeing someone faint, then people shouting for medics.
“We have a case where someone complains of hypothermia. One had his hands turn purple from the cold.
“Such injuries can have very serious long-term health implications.
"One of our clients complains of being given ill-fitting clothing despite the cold conditions.
“From what we've been told they pushed the boundaries of safety in the name of entertainment.
“Production companies need to ensure that health and safety standards on their shows don’t leave people at risk of harm.”
Netflix invited 456 hopefuls — the same as in the hit show — to compete for a record £3.7million prize.
The opening game was filmed in the UK in January this year in a huge ex-RAF base on the outskirts of Bedford which has previously hosted Batman and Star Wars Films.
Producers were filming the game — Red Light, Green Light — when contestants started to feel unwell in cold temperatures.
For this first challenge, those who don't pass over a finish line before the timer runs out or don't stop, motionless, when a sinister doll says "Red light" are eliminated, via sniper rifles in the show and with squid packs in the real-life game.
Players wore special vests with squibs of ink that exploded when they were "killed".
But contestants complained that they went off even if they didn’t move and that clothing didn’t fit properly exposing them to the cold.
The rest of the game was filmed in Wharf Studios in London with six interconnected stages used to recreate the Squid Game environment.
Now injured former contestants have begun legal action against the show’s production company, and Express Solicitors are looking to speak to other contestants injured in the games.
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A spokesperson for Squid Game: The Challenge said: "No lawsuit has been filed by any of the Squid Game contestants.
"We take the welfare of our contestants extremely seriously."
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