NEW YORK — A haunted house in Queens is being sued by several people who say they were seriously injured.
The city closed temporarily”A ghost tour in Hollis” on Hollis Avenue, but it reopened Friday after organizers said they made changes to make it safer.
Man says he suffered a spinal cord injury in Queens haunted house
At least five different plaintiffs have filed suit.
One accuser, who did not want to be identified, told CBS News New York’s Derick Waller that he suffered a spinal injury in October 2023 after taking a ride on something called “Satan’s Slope,” a two-story slide in the haunted house.
“My spine was compressed, and the doctor says it’s a compression fracture,” the prosecutor said. “The wall is very close to the slide, so once you come down the slide, you’re actually hitting the wall. And that’s what I did: I hit the wall really hard with my knee.”
The plaintiff accuses the family running the home of creating a “trap-like condition” and failing to post signs that would cause “serious and serious personal injury.”
“We are not against fun, but our position is that when fun is your business, safety should be your priority,” said lawyer Yan Gilkarov.
Queen’s haunted house reopens after security improvements
City inspectors closed the property earlier this month, but gave it a passing grade after the family made required safety improvements. LaTaya Carter says they removed the slide, removed flammable garbage bags that once covered windows, hired fire safety personnel and covered exposed electrical wiring.
“What is your message to families concerned about safety?” Waller asked.
“Our main message is that this is a community event. We know families come here. We care about the community. We care about the people who come here and visit us, and we want them to be safe,” Carter said. .
“How did people get hurt?” Waller asked.
“By not following the rules,” Carter said.
The prosecutor Waller spoke to said he was given no safety demonstrations when he visited the haunted house.
