With the autumn chill settling into the air, Halloween is right around the corner. As such, you may be looking for fun ways to get in the spooky spirit. One of the most common ways for thrill-seekers to get their adrenaline pumping in autumn is to visit a haunted house attraction. Though you may enter with the intention of getting scared, the last thing you expect to happen is getting injured! This can, unfortunately, happen, and knowing who can be held liable for the injuries you’ve endured is vital. The following blog explores what you must know about these circumstances and how personal injury attorneys in Baltimore County can assist you during these challenging times.
What Causes Injuries in a Haunted House Attraction?
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways one can sustain an injury when visiting a haunted house attraction. These include the following:
- Slips, trips, and falls: Most commonly, guests in a haunted house will trip or slip over something on the ground, subsequently falling and sustaining an injury. This occurs when there are hazards left on the floor. Unfortunately, because it is often dark in these locations, guests moving through the attraction likely will not see fallen props, debris, wires, or other fixtures that can cause them to trip and become injured.
- Protruding objects: When nails, screws, or other sharp objects are not properly shielded, a guest moving throughout the attraction may run into them, being jabbed and injured by the fixture
- Falling props or equipment: A large part of the appeal of haunted houses is the ambiance. As such, operators will use props and technology to increase the scariness. However, when these props, decorations, or technology are not properly installed and secured, they can fall on guests, causing intense injury.
- Trampling: Many haunted houses have occupancy limits to prevent too many people from being in the space at once. If staff disregard this limit, it can cause a guest to become trampled if the crowd starts running from a scary actor. As such, it’s necessary to ensure ride operators space out entry to the attraction and adhere to limits.
Am I Able to Pursue Compensation for My Injuries?
In the event you are injured, you may not know whether or not you’re eligible to pursue legal action. Unfortunately, one of the biggest deterrents that prevents people from seeking compensation is the fact that they signed a waiver relinquishing their right to pursue compensation for injuries sustained in the attraction. However, these waivers often are vague, and an experienced lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation if the injuries were the result of gross negligence by the owner or staff.
At the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi, we understand how devastating injuries caused by the negligence of another person can be. As such, our dedicated team is ready to help you recover the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today to discuss the details of your case to learn how we can represent you.
