Oregon Mother Sues Farm for $2.2M Over Pumpkin Patch Fall

A Oregon mother is suing a local family farm for $2.2 million after she slipped on mud and shattered her bones during a pumpkin patch visit two autumns ago. Paige Jean Smith filed the suit in August with the Oregon Circuit Court, blaming Red Berry Barn for the severe harm she endured while visiting their grounds.

The legal complaint details an incident on October 20, 2024. Smith was helping her child get ready for a zipline ride when staff told her to leave the raised platform by walking down a slope. At that specific moment and location, the sloped egress was muddy, slippery, and deemed unsafe for patrons trying to exit the high area.

Smith fell as she descended the hill. The fall broke her tibia, fibula, and ankle. She alleges the trauma caused chronic ankle pain, arthritis, and damage to her upper body. Her lawyers say she also suffers from depression, post-traumatic mental distress, a deformity of her right lower limb, hypersensitivity, and a persistent burning sensation on her injured ankle.

She has already undergone surgery and remains incapacitated. The injury left her with a predisposition for further harm at the exact spot where she was hurt and a greater susceptibility to arthritis now. Her attorneys argue the farm owners knew the zipline ride was dangerous yet failed in their duty of care toward the guests.

The lawsuit claims the zipline structure served no agricultural purpose and was simply unnecessary for the pumpkin patch operation. Red Berry Barn also allegedly failed to teach patrons proper safety rules, creating an unreasonable risk that led to this disaster. The plaintiffs are asking for $2 million total, which includes $155,000 for past medical bills and $50,000 set aside for future expenses.

The defendants in this suit are Aaron and Erika Wilcott. Red Berry Barn's website describes the couple as third-generation farmers who run the place with their three young boys. Their site states they work together to ensure the whole family can enjoy a safe visit. Erika is a sixth-generation farmer while Aaron grew up right here in the Sherwood area.

The farm hosts its Harvest Festival every season from September 19 until October 31. General admission tickets grant access to the mega slide, zip lines, tube slides, bounce pumpkin, and climbing rope tower. The court docket currently does not list an attorney for the Wilcotts who have yet to respond to these serious allegations.