A recent incident at MoMA PS1 has sparked a lawsuit filed by a Norwegian citizen, Andrea Kroksnes, against the museum for alleged negligent supervision and oversight. Kroksnes suffered serious injuries when a wall-mounted panel fell and struck her in the museum’s screening room in 2022. The impact resulted in an acute concussion, leading to lasting medical problems and economic loss.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages exceeding $150,000, along with legal costs, interest, and further relief as determined by the court. The incident occurred while Kroksnes was visiting MoMA PS1 to see Jumana Manna’s exhibition, “Break, Take, Erase, Tally.” While seated in the screening room, a large, heavy panel affixed to the wall behind the sofa dislodged and fell on her, causing the injury. It was clarified that Kroksnes was struck by an acoustics panel and not an artwork or installation.
MoMA PS1 has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident. The lawsuit alleges that the museum failed to properly secure the panel and monitor the premises for safety risks. Kroksnes and her legal team claim that the museum should have been aware of the potential hazards posed by the equipment in an area where visitors would interact with it.
The concussion suffered by Kroksnes resulted in chronic post-concussion syndrome, leading to ongoing physical, cognitive, and emotional damages. The lawsuit emphasizes the preventable nature of the accident and the severe impact it had on Kroksnes’s life, including extreme pain, permanent injuries, economic loss, and a diminished quality of life.
Erin Applebaum, a partner at Kreindler & Kreindler representing Kroksnes, expressed hope for a swift and amicable resolution to the matter. The legal team has been in communication with the museum since the incident but was compelled to file suit due to the impending statute of limitations.
Efforts to contact Kroksnes for comment have been made by Hyperallergic. The lawsuit sheds light on the importance of maintaining safety standards in public spaces to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.
