Easter Tumble

A day of Easter fun turned sour for one Oregon woman who attended an Easter egg hunt with her son and niece. The plaintiff, Rachel Townsend, filed a personal injury lawsuit against Red Shoe Productions, LLC; and The Aerie at Eagles Landing based upon claims that she was pushed from behind and injured during the search for the eggs. The plaintiff claimed that her injuries included a torn meniscus in her left knee; a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee; and sprains and strains. The plaintiff asked the court for over $100,000 in damages at the time of filing.

The plaintiff had paid admission to attend, “The Hatter’s Easter Extravaganza” at The Aerie at Eagle Landing for an Easter egg hunt with her son and niece. The hunt was located at the top of a hill which was meant only for children four years old and younger. However, once the hunt began, the plaintiff alleged that a number of participants began running and pushing to search for the eggs. Patrons without wristbands, an indication of paid admission, entered the search area which caused the plaintiff to become separated from her niece. When the plaintiff stopped to reach out for her niece, she was pushed from behind which led to her injuries.

In the initial complaint, the plaintiff alleged that the defendants knew or should have known that the Easter egg hunt was likely to cause harm if it was not conducted safely. The plaintiff claimed further that the defendants failed to provide sufficient personnel to conduct the hunt; failed to organize the hunt in a fashion that did not result in overcrowding; provided an environment, the hill, that was sloped and uneven; allowed non-paying participants to enter the hunt; and failed to remove the unruly patrons of the hunt.

Another participant in the Easter egg hunt has come forward and has verified the plaintiff’s claims, stating, “When we lined up for the egg hunt, my son was 5 at the time, and there were parents running out on the field opening the eggs. Only the kids were supposed to enter the area where the eggs were and there were parents that didn’t abide by that.” Other participants have contradicted the plaintiff’s claims, stating that they had a great time at the event.

The case is currently pending.

If you are considering a civil suit for personal injury, no decision may be more important that the legal counsel you choose for representation. An experienced attorney can help you review your options. Call trial attorneys Charles Gilman and Briggs Bedigian today at (866) 849-9899 or contact them online to get started on your case.