Cirque du Soleil acrobat sues circus for $16 million after breaking 11 bones in fall

Key Points:

• Former Cirque du Soleil acrobat Mariia Konfektova is suing the circus for $16.75 million after breaking 11 bones in a 15-foot fall during a Kooza performance in Portland, Oregon, in August 2024.
• Konfektova alleges the circus failed to install adequate safety measures such as mats, nets, or fall protection, resulting in severe injuries including double vision, concussion, and multiple fractures to her face, skull, wrist, and lower back.
• Cirque du Soleil confirmed the injury and stated that emergency procedures were followed, with the injured artist receiving immediate medical attention and ongoing monitoring by their medical team.
• An OSHA report fined Cirque du Soleil $8,070 for safety violations related to the incident, but the circus has appealed at least one citation; Konfektova claims she had previously raised safety concerns and was later fired over alleged mental fitness issues.
• Konfektova has launched a GoFundMe campaign citing long-term complications, ongoing medical and legal challenges, and uncertainty about her ability to return to work while awaiting further surgeries.