Solainne Moncero-Tannis, a 33-year-old woman, has filed a lawsuit against A Haunting in Hollis, a haunted house situated in New York City, US, after she broke both ankles during her visit to the ghostly attraction.
Moncero-Tannis visited A Haunting in Hollis in October 2023 and broke both ankles after using a 20-foot slide known as Satan’s Slope. Her lawyer, Michael Goldberg, explained that the slide went “straight down in the pitch dark” and landed on concrete.
Goldberg said that he was amazed that the haunted attraction could continue to operate, year after year, without safety protocols in place.
A Haunting in Hollis operates from a private home on Hollis Avenue in Queens Village. The attraction, which has been running since 2002, is owned by Janette and Lataya Carter. A total of five lawsuits have been filed by visitors claiming injuries at this location, including four lawsuits related to injuries in 2022 and 2023.
Moncero-Tannis underwent surgery for her injuries and had to relearn how to walk. “It’s been very difficult for me, psychologically, emotionally, and physically,” she said, as quoted by the New York Post. “To this day, I have difficulty navigating stairs, and day-to-day activities are not the same for me.”
The city closed the haunted house this week due to safety concerns and issued a full vacate order on October 5.
New York City Fire Department (FDNY) deputy chief Tom Currao said the building had been “radically altered,” making emergency exits difficult. Inspectors found paying guests, a maze, a blocked exit, and removed fireproofing on site.
“The interior arrangement was totally changed so that anybody in there, in case of an emergency, would have a very hard time getting out,” said Currao.
The building had structural and electrical issues, according to media reports. Some wooden beams were cut for a spiral staircase, and inspectors found holes in the walls.
“We want folks to enjoy the holiday and for kids to have a good time, but this had really all the makings of a very, very dangerous situation,” Currao added.
The attraction included a maze, escape rooms with live actors, and a $30 ticket price. It required visitors to sign an online waiver that released the owners, operators, and staff from any liability for harm, injury, or death.
New York City does not mandate licenses for haunted house operators.