Mariska Hargitay has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for decades, becoming one of the most recognizable faces on American television. While her performance has consistently conveyed strength and resilience, the actor’s long-running role has also involved physical demands that carried real risks. As previously reported by TVLine and detailed by Hargitay herself in interviews, one on-set accident in particular reshaped how she approaches action scenes on the NBC drama.

Mariska Hargitay’s Law & Order SVU Stunt Accident and Its Lasting Impact on Her Career

During a stunt sequence filmed in 2008, Mariska Hargitay experienced one of the most serious injuries of her career. According to her interview with Redbookthe incident occurred during a chase scene when a jump did not land as planned, ultimately resulting in a collapsed lung. At the time, Hargitay had been committed to performing her own stunts, believing it was important to fully inhabit the physicality of her character. She later explained that the landing felt wrong immediately, even though the severity of the injury was not obvious in the moment.

In the days following the stunt, Hargitay initially assumed the discomfort would pass. She continued working while believing she had only pulled a muscle or temporarily lost her breath. As she later recounted in Redbookthere was a clear sense that something was not right internally, yet she expected rest and time to resolve the pain. This determination to push forward reflected her work ethic at the time, but it also delayed the realization that the injury was more serious than it appeared.

How Mariska Hargitay’s Recovery Reshaped Her Approach to SVU Stunts

Months later, Hargitay underwent surgery and returned to work in early 2009, only to experience another collapsed lung shortly afterward. She noted that the complication was extremely rare, occurring in roughly one out of every 1,000 cases. As TVLine has reported, this second medical setback became a turning point in her career. Hargitay made the decision to rely more heavily on professional stunt performers for physically demanding scenes, particularly after becoming a parent.

Looking back, Hargitay has framed the experience with perspective and gratitude. In her Redbook interview, she reflected that facing such challenges at a relatively young age deepened her appreciation for life and health. Rather than focusing on loss or limitation, she emphasized how the experience helped her recognize the opportunities she has been given and the importance of protecting her well-being. Today, her approach balances commitment to her iconic role with a long-term view of safety, longevity, and gratitude.