Appeals court rules against woman injured at Mount Rushmore

Woman sought $2 million for broken wrist that required surgery

An Idaho woman who fell and broke her wrist while visiting the Mount Rushmore National Monument does not have a valid claim against the federal government, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

Autumn Hilger had sought $2 million in damages after falling while visiting Mount Rushmore in November of 2020.

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But the three-judge panel on the Eighth Circuit upheld U.S. District Court Judge Roberto Lange, who dismissed Hilger’s claims last year for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

During Hilger’s visit to Mount Rushmore on Nov. 15, 2020, the entrance and walkway to the monument were under renovation. Rather than close Mount Rushmore, the National Park Service installed a temporary mat over an adjacent dirt path to provide access.

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