A man who broke both his wrists in a slip and fall accident at a New Jersey historical site and museum may proceed with his lawsuit against the organization after the judge presiding over the case declined the defendant's motion to dismiss. A trial is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 27.

The defendant is the Union Forge Heritage Association, which operates the Solitude House Museum, a converted house built in 1710 that was visited by George and Martha Washington and Vice President Aaron Burr. The museum grounds also include an annex which was supposed to be closed to visitors when the plaintiff and his wife came to tour the grounds on Sept. 5, 2009.

The plaintiffs say that a sign in front of the annex building invited guests to enter and look around. They decided to enter the annex, but as they approached, the man tripped and fell over a step that had been obscured by a pile of leaves and debris.

The man suffered fractures in both wrists in the fall, which he and his wife say continue to cause him pain and limited motion. He also sustained cuts on his face.

The couple filed a personal injury lawsuit against UFHA and the Borough of High Bridge, New Jersey, accusing them of negligently failing to maintain the grounds around the annex. Following oral arguments on Jan. 20, during which both defendants moved to dismiss the claim, the judge granted High Bridge's request on Jan. 25. However, he did not grant UFHA's motion, meaning that it will remain in the case.

Source: Hunterdon Review, "Union Forge sued in slip-and-fall lawsuit," Jan. 31, 2012