Britain's Health and Safety Executive has filed criminal charges against the production company behind "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" over a filming accident in 2014 in which star Harrison Ford broke his leg.
The accident took place on Jun. 12, 2014 at Pinewood Studios near London. Ford was filming a scene on the set of the Millennium Falcon-Han Solo's famed spacecraft-when he was struck by a heavy hydraulic metal door and got injured.
Reuters reported Ford was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Oxford where he underwent surgery for his left leg. The production was halted for two weeks following the injury met by Ford, who was 71 years old at the time.
Harrison Ford received £1 million in compensation for the accident.
The Health and Safety Executive announced Thursday it was prosecuting Foodles Production (UK) Ltd. over four alleged violations to British workplace health and safety laws.
"By law, employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers. This is as true on a film set as a factory floor," the health agency said, as quoted by CNN. "We have investigated thoroughly and believe that we have sufficient evidence to bring the case to court."
Foodles Production, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Co., said the safety of the cast and crew of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was a "top priority," and thus expressed their disappointment at the HSE's decision to file charges. They are set to attend the first hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates Court on May 12.
According to the Daily Mail, the production company could be fined up to £20,000 per count plus a prison sentence not exceeding two years if serious negligence is established.
In an interview with Conan O'Brien to promote the seventh "Star Wars" movie, Harrison Ford teased director JJ Abrams about the accident. Despite the injury, Ford praised Abrams for "being extraordinarily well suited to" to direct the critically acclaimed film.
