Halloween is celebrated throughout Louisiana, including in New Orleans, River Ridge, Marrero, Metairie, and many other cities. One of the most popular attractions for older children and adults is haunted houses.
While getting in on the scares at a haunted house can be a great time, it can also lead to unexpected injuries, especially if the premises you visit aren’t properly managed or maintained. Here’s what you need to know if you get hurt at a haunted house in Louisiana this week..
Common Causes of Haunted House Accidents
Haunted house injuries often stem from a combination of poor maintenance and inadequate supervision. A few of the most common causes are:
- Wet or uneven flooring in dark walkways
- Exposed electrical wiring or faulty lighting
- Props or decorations that fall or malfunction
- Overcrowding that causes trampling or panic
- Untrained actors physically grabbing or pushing guests
Injuries from these situations can range from sprains and fractures to concussions, burns, or even traumatic brain injuries. If you suffer harm during a visit to a haunted house, you may face hospital bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma that lasts well beyond Halloween night.
Steps To Take After an Injury in a Haunted House
If you’re hurt at a haunted house, taking immediate and careful action can protect both your health and your legal rights. You should:
- Seek medical attention: Even minor injuries should be evaluated
- Report the incident: Notify the property manager or staff and request a written incident report
- Document what you can: Take photos or videos of your injuries, the hazardous condition, and the surrounding area
- Collect witness information: Get names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened
- Keep everything: Save medical bills, receipts, and correspondence related to your injury
These steps help establish what happened and who may be responsible.
Louisiana Premises Liability Law
If you’re injured at a haunted house or any other property in Louisiana, your ability to recover compensation likely falls under premises liability law. Under Louisiana law, property owners and operators owe a duty of care to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors.
To succeed in a premises liability claim in Louisiana, you generally must prove:
- A hazardous condition existed on the property.
- The owner or operator knew or should have known about the hazard.
- They failed to correct the condition or adequately warn visitors about it.
- You were injured as a direct result of that condition.
If you are partially at fault, your compensation could be reduced. For example, if you ignored clearly posted warnings or ventured into a restricted area, the property owner’s liability might be reduced.
Examples of Haunted House Negligence
Not every haunted house accident qualifies as negligence. Here are some that do:
- Turning off safety lighting to make the house even scarier
- Blocking exits
- Failing to follow occupancy limits
- Using unsafe props
- Hiring actors who touch guests
- Cutting corners on repairs
The individuals who operate haunted houses have a duty to you and every other guest. They must provide a safe space.
Stay Safe and Informed This Halloween
Haunted houses are meant to be scary, but they are not intended to be unsafe. When property owners or event organizers fail to protect you, injuries can turn a night of fun into a real-life nightmare. Knowing your rights and acting quickly after an incident can make all the difference.
If you were injured, contact Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers today. We offer a free consultation with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer.
We proudly serve Louisiana and it’s surrounding areas, including Metairie, Gretna and Kenner.
Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers
3500 N Hullen St Suite 17K
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 323-6000
Our law firm is located near you. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.01245719602678, -90.15811234232851