Parents of a 17-year-old Florida boy, Michael Sclawy-Adelman, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America after he died from heat exhaustion during a hike in the Florida Everglades.
A wrongful death is one caused by a negligent, careless, intentional or reckless act of another person or corporation. If you believe a loved one has died as the result of the negligence of another person or entity, an experienced California personal injury lawyer can discuss your options.
In the Florida case, the parents assert that the Boy Scouts were negligent in the care of Adelman - that they failed to "Be Prepared" as their motto states and that the BSA had failed to live up to its own standards. The complaint emphasizes the relationship between the organization, its members and their families, and the fact that the organization states that one of its own key virtues is trustworthiness. According to ABC News, family asserts that they trusted the scouts not to place their son in harms way, and to take the necessary steps if something should go wrong. Here, Adelman started showing signs of fatigue and distress, but the scouts pressed on.
This is not the first Boy Scout death. The L.A. Times reports that in the last 5 years, 32 Boy Scouts, adult leaders and invited guests have died in outdoor activities, including 3 California Boy Scout deaths from falls and electrocution.
The wrongful death lawsuit does not aim to condemn the Boy Scouts but rather expose the potential safety risks and be a catalyst for change.
As a Sacramento personal injury attorney I am hopeful raising awareness of the potential for harm will lead to preventative measures and ensure a tragedy like this doesn't happen again.
For more information, or if you believe a loved one has been harmed or killed due to the negligence of another, contact Frederick J. Sette, dedicated to helping the injured for more than 15 years.
