AceShowbiz - Gabrielle Union is reportedly planning to sue fellow "America's Got Talent" judge Simon Cowell for "endangering her life" by smoking on the set of the NBC talent show.

The "Bad Boys 2" actress was fired from the show's panel of judges in November (19) after just one season, amid reports suggesting her departure was linked to concerns she had raised about a number of controversial incidents which took place behind the scenes, creating a "toxic" work atmosphere.

An investigation into the complaint is currently ongoing but, according to Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper, Union has settled her dispute with the network and Syco, Cowell's entertainment empire, over her departure - and is now planning to personally sue the mogul himself.

A source said: "Gabrielle was always cross that Simon would smoke when the cameras weren't running."

"For her, this is a big deal. She believes his smoking has put her life in danger. It can cause cancer and she doesn't think she deserves to have been at risk when she was at work. This lawsuit will be sent to Simon at any moment. She is determined to see this one through."

California has strict anti-smoking laws, banning employers from "knowingly or intentionally permitting... the smoking of tobacco products in an enclosed place of employment."

Cowell is renowned for his smoking habit and has struggled to quit, after admitting to smoking up to 80 cigarettes a day in the past.