News Summary
Tara Dickey, visiting New Orleans from California, has filed a lawsuit against the New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House after sustaining serious injuries during her visit. An actor dressed as a clown reportedly jumped onto her, causing her to lose consciousness and suffer from various symptoms. The lawsuit accuses the haunted house’s management of negligence in ensuring visitor safety. This incident raises questions regarding safety protocols at entertainment venues, emphasizing the need for stricter measures in the industry.
New Orleans – Tara Dickey, a woman visiting from California, has filed a lawsuit against New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House and one of its employees after suffering serious injuries during a visit. The incident occurred at 319 Butterworth St., where an actor dressed as a scary clown, known only as ‘John Doe,’ allegedly jumped from an elevated height and landed on Dickey, knocking her unconscious and causing further injuries.
Dickey claims the actor negligently jumped and landed directly on her head, neck, and back. The impact reportedly knocked her to the ground, rendering her temporarily unconscious. After regaining awareness, she described feelings of dizziness and confusion, alongside pain in her neck, shoulders, and lower back.
Following the incident, the haunted house’s staff expressed concern and apologized, taking Dickey to a side room to document what had happened. An incident report was filed, and an ambulance was subsequently called to assist her. Medical treatment has been sought for the injuries sustained during the event.
In the aftermath of the accident, Dickey continues to experience a range of troubling symptoms including headaches, neck pain, mid- and lower back pain, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, memory loss, depression, fatigue, blurred vision, tinnitus, and loss of balance, adding to her discomfort and distress.
The lawsuit accuses Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group LLC, the parent company of the haunted house, along with the employee involved, of negligence. However, the specific amount of damages she is seeking has not been disclosed in the legal filing.
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group LLC is recognized as the world’s largest Halloween entertainment company, operating multiple haunted houses across the United States. Despite its success and popular attractions, safety protocols and training for actors in high-stress environments like haunted houses have increasingly come under scrutiny.
The legal ramifications of this incident raise important questions about the responsibilities of entertainment venues to safeguard their visitors while balancing the thrill of the scare. As this lawsuit unfolds, it may highlight the need for stricter safety measures in the haunted house and entertainment industry as a whole.
The case is yet another reminder of how the combination of immersive entertainment and physical performance can lead to unintended consequences, impacting both the performers and the guests in attendance. The community will be watching closely as the situation develops, assessing the appropriate responses to ensure safety in what should be a fun and exciting experience for all.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Moving To New Orleans Guide: Neighborhoods, Cost Of Living & First-Month Checklist
Additional Resources
- KPEL 96.5: Woman Sues New Orleans Haunted House
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- WWLTV: Halloween Events in New Orleans
- Google Search: Haunted Houses New Orleans
- My New Orleans: A Scare Actor’s Life
- Google Scholar: Haunted Houses Safety Protocols
- NOLA: Halloween Events in New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Haunted Houses
- WDSU: New Orleans Haunted House Closed
- Google News: Haunted House Lawsuits
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
