Pennsylvania Woman Sues Salem's Witch House for $800K After Fall

A Pennsylvania woman has filed an $800,000 lawsuit against the City of Salem, alleging negligence after she fell down a staircase at the historic Jonathan Corwin House, known as The Witch House. The incident occurred in November 2023 while Kimberly Reiser was on a group tour.

Reiser claims that while descending the staircase, which she states was the only available one, the lip of her shoe caught on a defective and hazardous wooden step. According to the lawsuit, this caused her to fall five or six steps, landing on her left shoulder and hitting the wall. The fall resulted in a broken humerus and a dislocated left shoulder, according to court documents.

The lawsuit, filed on October 8 in Essex County Superior Court, seeks $767,825 in damages. This total includes $128,276 for hospital expenses, $35,819 for physical therapy, $1,730 for an ambulance, $2,000 in lost wages, and $600,000 for pain and suffering.

Reiser's legal team argues that the staircase is known to be dangerous due to its poor condition, non-uniform depth, and extreme slope. The lawsuit also references online complaints from visitors about the staircase, including a discussion board titled 'Death Stairs.'

The legal filing contends that the city is in violation of the Massachusetts State Building Code and the International Existing Building Code, which mandate that staircases must be safe and operable regardless of a building's age. The lawsuit asserts that the city's alleged negligence directly caused Reiser's severe injuries, pain, suffering, lost wages, and significant medical expenses.

Judge Corwin's house, built in the 17th century, is one of the few remaining structures in Salem with a direct connection to the 1692 witch trials. The City of Salem currently manages the property as a museum.

The City of Salem is required to file a response to the complaint in Superior Court by February 5. The Daily Mail has reached out to the City of Salem and The Witch House for comment.