While exiting a haunted house attraction, a patron was confronted by a final scare known as the “Carrie” effect—so named because, like the horror film Carrie, patrons are led to believe the attraction is over, only to be met by one more extreme fright. While running away from an actor wielding a gas powered chainsaw [chain removed], the patron fell, was injured and sued the owner of the attraction. Under the theory of primary assumption of risk, the trial court granted summary judgment to the attraction. In affirming, the Court of Appeal noted there was no evidence the persons operating the attraction unreasonably increased the risk of injury beyond those inherent risks or acted recklessly.” (Griffin v. The Haunted Hotel, Inc. (Cal. App. Fourth Dist., Div. 1; November 20, 2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 490 [194 Cal.Rptr.3d 830].)“It Has Nothing To Do With Satan, Mama. It’s Me,” Carrie White character in film “Carrie.”
While exiting a haunted house attraction, a patron was confronted by a final scare known as the “Carrie” effect—so named because, like the horror film Carrie, patrons are led to believe the attraction is over, only to be met by one more extreme fright. While running away from an actor wielding a gas powered chainsaw [chain removed], the patron fell, was injured and sued the owner of the attraction. Under the theory of primary assumption of risk, the trial court granted summary judgment to the attraction. In affirming, the Court of Appeal noted there was no evidence the persons operating the attraction unreasonably increased the risk of injury beyond those inherent risks or acted recklessly.” (Griffin v. The Haunted Hotel, Inc. (Cal. App. Fourth Dist., Div. 1; November 20, 2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 490 [194 Cal.Rptr.3d 830].)