Here is the complaint recently filed in the New York Supreme Court, Bronx County, by Ajanaffy Njewadda and her husband against various defendants, including Showtime Networks and the New York City Transit, the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
In sum, she claims that she was caused to fall and sustain injuries after being shocked by a stair-spanning advertisement (stairvertisement?), pictured, for the TV show “Dexter” while in Grand Central Terminal.
Here are the key allegations:
27. That on or about June 20, 2013, Plaintiff was lawfully present in defendants NYCTA, MTA and CITY subway station known as the “S” shuttle 42nd Street Grand Central Subway Station and was descending the stairway located in front of the turnstiles through which she entered when she became concerned with the whereabouts of her husband who was with her but, apparently had not made it through the turnstiles as yet.
28. That she turned around and attempted to ascend the staircase to ascertain his whereabouts, when she saw and was confronted with, under the steps thereto, a semi sub-merged but dramatically oversized photograph, poster and or wrap-around advertisement of the actor Michael C Hall, who portrays himself as DEXTER, a Showtime series about a serial killer.
29. That the photograph, extending the full length of the steps from the top of the platform to the bottom, depicted a shocking, and menacing face of a Caucasian man (DEXTER) exhibiting an expression of fear or shock and was covered, draped or enwrapped in cellophane/ plastic wrap.
30. That the sight of photograph startled, shocked and overwhelmed Plaintiff NJEWADDA, causing her to panic and become fearful, which fright, fear and anxiety caused her to panic and lose her balance on the steps thereto resulting in her falling and down the steps to the bottom thereof.
31. That as a result of this fall, the Claimant suffered personal physical injuries to her right foot and ankle to be sick, lame and disabled thereof requiring her to seek medical attention thereto[.]