Silverwood sued after woman frightened after-hours at ‘Scarywood’

When does a Halloween scare go too far?

A Kootenai County jury may decide just that after a Benton County woman filed a civil lawsuit against Silverwood Theme Park last week, alleging a costumed worker spooked her so badly in the parking lot in 2011 that she passed out and hit her head.

Kristen Griswold said Silverwood, which transforms into a Halloween haunt each October and redubs itself “Scarywood,” is responsible for one of its masked frighteners startling her after the park closed for the night two years ago.

The lawsuit, filed by Spokane attorney Douglas Phelps, said Griswold lost consciousness after the park worker jumped from behind a “concealed location” and yelled loudly as she and her friends left the park shortly after midnight on Oct. 15, 2011. Griswold struck her head on the concrete, sustaining injuries that affected her ability to work, according to the lawsuit.

The filing does not name the park worker, nor does it specify the amount Griswold seeks from the park in lost wages and to cover medical treatment. The settlement requested is expected to exceed $10,000.

The Scarywood attraction is in its fourth year at the North Idaho amusement park and runs through Nov. 2.

A spokeswoman for Silverwood said Friday afternoon the theme park had not been served any paperwork in the case.