A professional tarot card reader is suing Vue Cinemas for £12.7 million, alleging that a "defective" seat caused him to be "catapulted" forward, resulting in chronic neck and back pain and diminished senses. Marcus Hunefalk-Franzen, 60, claims the incident in September 2015 at the Islington, London, cinema also led to a significant drop in his earnings as a tarot reader and the loss of acting roles.
The case, which has been ongoing for 11 years without reaching trial, has seen the valuation of the claim escalate dramatically. Initially estimated at £50,000 and later raised to £200,000, court documents now reveal the claim's value has risen to £12.7 million, a figure disputed by Vue's lawyers.
Hunefalk-Franzen asserts that his planned business ventures, including acting coaching and an online psychic platform called MyPsychicEye, would have generated £1.5 million. He contends he could have earned over £1 million annually and potentially sold the business for £3 million upon retirement had the accident not occurred.
According to court documents, Hunefalk-Franzen was injured when his seat "collapsed in on itself" as he stood up, propelling him into the seat in front. This caused a "forward flexion and deceleration movement, resulting in soft tissue damage" and a fall to the floor. It was later discovered that bolts securing the chair to the floor were missing, which Hunefalk-Franzen's legal team described as a "dangerously defective" trap. They allege cinema staff were at fault for failing to ensure the seat's security.
During a 2024 pre-trial hearing, Vue's lawyers contested the claim's valuation, with one lawyer suggesting it was worth between £8,000 and £12,500. Vue's defense also noted that medical records indicated Hunefalk-Franzen had a pre-existing history of chronic fatigue and neck pain dating back to 2008. The cinema chain's lawyers also stated that on the day of the accident, Hunefalk-Franzen reported a back injury but did not immediately mention severe neck pain, foot pain, leg pain, or sensory issues.
Judge Yvette Genn acknowledged the case as complex, further complicated by a previous brain injury Hunefalk-Franzen suffered in 2004, from which he had reportedly recovered by 2013. The trial was initially slated for February 2025 but has since been adjourned, with a judge estimating the case may not reach court until the end of 2027. The judge noted that Hunefalk-Franzen, representing himself, faces challenges with cognitive ability and concentration, impacting his ability to process large amounts of information. Permission to submit a revised report from a pain therapist was denied due to missed deadlines.
In addition to lost earnings, Hunefalk-Franzen is seeking over £12,000 for past holidays and thousands of pounds for a 15-year supply of orthopaedic shoes.