Jeff Wittek sues David Dobrik for $10M after $90K eye surgery from dangerous YouTube stunt
Dobrik has denied full responsibility, that the stunt was Wittek’s idea an he asked Dobrik not to disclose this fact.
Pop Culture & Art |
November 25, 2024
Courtesy: YouTube/ @jeffwittek on Instagram
YouTuber Jeff Wittek has revealed undergoing a $90,000 eye surgery to address lingering injuries from a 2020 stunt involving fellow YouTuber David Dobrik.
The incident occurred during a video shoot where Wittek was swung from an excavator operated by Dobrik.
The stunt took a disastrous turn, leaving Wittek with extensive injuries, including a shattered skull, broken foot and hip, torn ligament, and nearly losing his eye.
The stunt, filmed for Dobrik’s now-deleted vlog, showed Wittek holding onto a rope tied to the excavator arm. As the machine spun faster, he lost control and collided with the metal arm, eventually plunging into the water below.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Wittek shared, “Yesterday, Dr. Leif Rogers and his team of avengers did a massive five-hour surgery… to hopefully fix my double vision.” He added, “Thanks for all the kind words and support… I already feel like I can run through a brick wall.”
Wittek disclosed that he covered the $90,000 surgery out-of-pocket, as Dobrik has allegedly failed to pay any damages. Despite the expense, Wittek said, “It was worth every penny.” However, the incident has now escalated into a legal battle.
Wittek is suing Dobrik for $10 million, alleging negligence and intentional harm. According to the lawsuit, Dobrik’s reckless operation of the excavator caused Wittek’s life-altering injuries.
Dobrik has denied full responsibility, claiming that the stunt was Wittek’s idea and that he had asked Dobrik not to disclose this fact.
On his podcast in 2022, Dobrik stated, “He got hurt because I was driving. That’s it, and I f***ing know that… That’ll be the biggest regret of my life.”
This controversy has added to Dobrik’s troubled public image, which includes allegations of facilitating unsafe environments during his videos.
Wittek has also voiced discontent over Dobrik’s recent lucrative deal with Snapchat, tweeting, “You’re paying a guy that smashed my skull in for a prank and left me with lifelong injuries.”
The lawsuit seeks compensation for Wittek’s mounting medical expenses and loss of income. The fallout from the incident highlights ongoing debates about accountability and safety in the high-stakes world of content creation.
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