Manchester law firm takes on US tech giant Netflix

The streaming giant’s real-life version of the global hit about a deadly fight to the death contest has been released worldwide as Squid Game: The Challenge. But some contestants claim during filming they were left with injuries including hypothermia, nerve damage and hands that turned purple from the cold. And some have now instructed lawyers claiming they didn’t know they would be risking their health spending time crouching motionless for long periods in cold temperatures.

Now in a landmark legal case, one of the UK’s leading PI firms, based in Sharston, is preparing to take on the might of Silicon Valley as contestants are set to sue. Daniel Slade Legal CEO of accident specialists Express Solicitors is supervising claims made against Netflix’s production company Studio Lambert who made the hit new show. 

He said: “We have already sent letters of claim on behalf of contestants injured in this show. “We recognise people may see this as a classic ‘David and Goliath’ battle with the company and its production partners by a relatively small firm in Manchester.

“But we feel everyone deserves to access to the best legal support even if it means us taking on a global company like Netflix. “Contestants thought they were taking part in something fun and did not expect to suffer as they did. Now they have been left with injuries after being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures.

Netflix invited 456 hopefuls — the same number as in the hit show — to compete for a record £3.7m ($4.56m) prize.

Fans of the show from Europe, America and Australia flew into the UK to take part for a chance of claiming millions in prize money. 

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.