Two separate accidents at abandoned buildings in Minneapolis have left two teenagers facing life-changing injuries. Both incidents involved young people entering vacant industrial structures, but the cases have raised a much bigger question: Could property owners have prevented these accidents by doing more to secure their buildings?
Attorneys representing the two teenagers are now investigating whether the owners of the properties, and potentially the city, could bear some legal responsibility for what happened.
The cases have also brought renewed attention to urban exploration, a growing activity in which young people enter abandoned buildings, climb old industrial structures and record their experiences for social media.
For some, the attraction is the opportunity to explore forgotten places and capture unusual photographs or videos. But deteriorating floors, unsecured openings, unstable staircases and dangerous heights can turn these adventures into serious emergencies.
In Minneapolis, two recent falls have shown just how devastating the consequences can be.
First teenager fell five stories at an abandoned grain elevator
One of the accidents involved Madison Frey, who was 18 when she fell approximately five stories inside an abandoned grain elevator in September 2025.
The structure is located near the Mississippi River on Minneapolis’ north side. The former industrial property later became part of the area developed into Upper Harbor Park, which opened to the public in September 2026.
Before the park opened, the abandoned elevator had attracted urban explorers despite its deteriorating condition and restricted access.
According to attorney John Gorey, who represents Frey through the law firm Romanucci & Blandin, she and others entered through a damaged section of fencing.
“They entered through a fence that had a hole in it that was the size of a human being,” Gorey said.
Frey’s fall caused severe spinal injuries. Her condition was initially so serious that she lost the ability to walk.
She has made progress during her recovery, but the injuries are expected to leave her with a permanent disability. She now relies on technological assistance to walk.
“She’s on an upward trajectory,” Gorey said, while explaining that her injuries will affect her for the rest of her life.
Her accident has become part of a broader investigation into whether the property had been adequately secured before the incident.
Another teenager survived a 20-story fall
A second case involved Ash Ranallo-Korbell, who suffered similarly devastating injuries after falling approximately 20 stories from the Checkerboard Grain Elevator in south Minneapolis in August 2026.
The 18-year-old had reportedly climbed the abandoned structure before the fall.
His injuries were life-changing, and his case is now being handled by Romanucci & Blandin alongside Riach Law.
The two incidents happened at different locations, but attorneys say they share an important issue: whether property owners took reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access to structures that presented obvious dangers.
Gorey said the investigation into Ranallo-Korbell’s accident uncovered earlier complaints from residents who had contacted the city about openings in the property’s fencing.
Those complaints could become important evidence when determining whether the dangers were known before the accident.
Neighbors say they had warned about the dangers
For people living near the abandoned structures, the accidents were not entirely unexpected.
Vox Payne, a neighborhood resident, said people had repeatedly raised concerns about unauthorized access to the Checkerboard Grain Elevator.
Payne recalled discussing the problem with neighbors, city officials and police before the August accident.
“We’ve talked about it plenty with the city, and with other neighbors and with the police, and we kept warning them something terrible is going to happen; we know something is,” Payne said.
Payne said the sound of people screaming during the incident immediately made residents think someone had been seriously hurt inside the building.
The comments highlight a concern that goes beyond the condition of an individual property. When residents repeatedly report damaged fences or unsecured entrances, the question becomes whether those warnings receive enough attention before someone gets injured.
Attorneys are now examining whether earlier complaints, maintenance records and communications with local officials could help establish what the responsible parties knew about the risks.
Could property owners be held responsible?
Being injured while trespassing does not automatically mean a property owner is legally responsible. However, it also does not necessarily prevent an injured person from pursuing a civil claim.
The outcome often depends on the property’s condition, the owner’s knowledge of potential dangers, previous warnings and the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Derek Stewart, a Minneapolis attorney who is not involved in either case, explained that several factors could influence a potential lawsuit.
These include whether residents had previously reported unauthorized entry, whether police had been called, and whether existing security measures were sufficient to prevent people from accessing dangerous areas.
A fence or warning sign may be part of a property’s security arrangements, but investigators and courts may also consider whether those measures were effective when the owner knew people were repeatedly getting inside.
Minnesota law generally does not require property owners to make their premises safe for trespassers. However, there are important exceptions, particularly when owners know that trespassers repeatedly enter a particular area and are exposed to certain dangerous artificial conditions.
A separate legal doctrine known as attractive nuisance can sometimes apply when dangerous artificial conditions are likely to attract young children who may not understand the risks. Its application depends on specific legal requirements and would not automatically cover teenagers or adults.
This distinction could matter in the Minneapolis cases because both injured individuals were 18 years old when their accidents occurred.
Minnesota’s comparative fault law could also matter
Another important issue is Minnesota’s comparative fault system.
Under Minnesota Statutes Section 604.01, responsibility for an injury can be divided between multiple parties based on their respective levels of fault.
For example, an injured person could be found partly responsible for entering a restricted property, while a property owner could also face responsibility if evidence establishes that negligent security or another failure contributed to the accident.
If the injured person’s fault is not greater than the fault of the party being sued, compensation may still be available, although the damages are reduced according to the injured person’s share of responsibility.
This means that entering an abandoned building without permission does not automatically settle the question of liability.
A court or jury would need to examine the available evidence, including the property’s condition, previous complaints, security measures and whether the harm could reasonably have been anticipated.
The final outcome would depend on the facts and applicable law in each individual case.
Urban exploration is creating new safety concerns
Urban exploration has become increasingly visible through social media videos and photographs showing people climbing abandoned factories, warehouses, grain elevators and other industrial structures.
Some explorers are drawn to the history and architecture of these places. Others seek unusual locations for photographs or content that stands out online.
However, abandoned industrial buildings can contain hazards that are difficult to recognize from the outside.
Years without maintenance can leave staircases unstable, floors weakened and protective barriers damaged. Open shafts, broken ladders and unguarded edges can create serious fall risks.
Unlike maintained public attractions, abandoned buildings generally do not have staff monitoring visitors or regularly checking safety conditions.
The Minneapolis incidents have renewed discussions about whether property owners and local authorities should take stronger action when vacant structures become known gathering spots for unauthorized visitors.
Police have investigated dozens of urban exploration cases
The problem has also drawn attention from Minneapolis law enforcement.
In August 2026, police said they had investigated approximately 100 urban exploration cases during the year and made 15 arrests.
The issue continued into October, when authorities announced the arrests of seven people accused of breaking into the Basilica of St. Mary. Four of those arrested were minors.
Although the incidents involved different properties, they demonstrate the continuing challenges authorities face when people enter restricted buildings and other locations without permission.
For city officials and property owners, preventing unauthorized entry can involve more than placing a warning sign or repairing one section of fencing. Damaged access points, repeat complaints and the overall condition of a structure may all require attention.
Attorneys want meaningful changes, not just investigations
Gorey said the purpose of the legal investigation is not limited to determining whether compensation may be available for the two teenagers.
The attorneys also want the properties involved to be secured in a way that genuinely prevents unauthorized access.
He said the goal is to make sure those responsible for maintaining the properties address the openings and weaknesses that allow young people to enter dangerous structures.
The investigation could eventually lead to lawsuits if the evidence supports claims against property owners or other responsible parties.
Romanucci & Blandin has previously represented families and clients involved in several high-profile Twin Cities cases, including matters involving Renee Good, George Floyd, Amir Locke and Daunte Wright.
For Frey and Ranallo-Korbell, however, the immediate concern remains recovery and the long-term impact of their injuries.
Their accidents have left families dealing with consequences that extend far beyond the day of the falls.
The investigations may take time, but the questions they raise are already significant: How many warnings does it take before an abandoned building is properly secured, and who should be held accountable when known safety risks are left unaddressed?
For Minneapolis residents, the hope is that the two incidents will lead to stronger security measures around dangerous vacant properties before another teenager suffers a similar fall.
