Balloon Story took place at the Park Avenue Armory this summer. Photo: Pavita Singh.
The company behind a colorful, buoyant balloon art exhibit that was held at the Park Avenue Armory over the summer is being sued over an alleged accident that occurred on August 8.
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The lawsuit was filed on November 26 by Tamara Ramos of Riverview, Florida, against Balloon Story USA Ltd. It alleges that while Ramos was at the exhibition, she sustained injuries due to the negligence of Balloon Story. The suit specifically mentions the “balloon/ball pit” as a threat, adding that the company permitted the existence of a hazardous environment.
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The suit also alleges that the plaintiff became “sick, sore and disabled, received severe and permanent personal injuries in and about diverse portions of her person; experienced great pain and suffering; [and] was caused to sustain surgeries and injuries which incapacitated and will continue to incapacitate Plaintiff.”
The plaintiff is being represented by Eric Richman, a personal injury lawyer based in Manhattan.
Speaking to East Side Feed on Monday afternoon, Richman elaborated on the extent of his client’s injuries.
“She’s got some pretty bad leg injuries,” he said. “Nothing was broken, but she required surgical repairs, [and] she went to the emergency room.”
Richman said that Ramos sustained her injuries after jumping into what was essentially a ball pit filled with balloons.
“People think it’s a regular pool. The way I think about it is this: If you went to a public pool, and it was two feet deep, they’re on the hook—that’s called negligence,” he told East Side Feed.
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He added that he and his legal team are currently trying to find out about other prior injuries that took place at the exhibit, as “it’s a common problem with these.” Richman also clarified that the case is only against Balloon Story, and not the Park Avenue Armory.
Balloon Story ran at the Park Avenue Armory at 643 Park Avenue (between East 66th and 67th streets) from July 3 to August 25. The exhibit’s website describes itself as a “whimsical journey” that has “eco-friendly” “artistic marvels.” The balloon sculptures, made from over half a million balloons, ranged from sea creatures, celestial objects and man-made landmarks in cities like Paris, Cairo and, of course, New York.
The installation originated in Israel last year, before coming to New York. Kobi Kalimian, the exhibition’s art director, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in August that the purpose of the exhibit was “to make families be happy,” and “to take grownups and make them be children again.”
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File this under “Why we can’t have nice things.”
There were signs posted all over saying “no jumping”. Its not their fault she cant read.