The family of Alyssa Squirrell, the 11-year-old jr. lifeguard who died when she was struck by a boat during a training exercise in the ocean, has filed an Orange County, California wrongful death claim against the city of Huntington Beach. The complaint, filed on November 12, accuses lifeguard Lt. Greg Crow of negligent boat operation. The city of Huntington Beach runs the Jr. Lifeguard program.
Alyssa, a Laguna Hills resident, sustained leg and hip cuts when the boat struck her. She was in the water waiting to join her training group when the boat operator turned the boat around, causing the propeller to strike her. Alyssa was pronounced dead after surgery.
Following an investigation into the tragic accident, Orange County, California prosecutors have decided not to file criminal charges against Crow.
California Boating Accidents
Most boating accidents are caused by operator inattention or inexperience. Drunk driving while operating a vessel has also caused unnecessary boating injuries and deaths.
Boat operators owe a duty of care to operate their vessels safely. Failure to fulfill this duty of care can lead to criminal charges, as well as to California personal injury or wrongful death claims if other people are injured as a result of boat operator negligence even if the boat operator never intended to harm the victims. Many California boating accidents are preventable.
Family files claim in junior lifeguard death, OC Register, November 19, 2009
No charges in junior lifeguard death, ABC 7, November 10, 2009
Related Web Resources:
2007 California Boating Safety Report (PDF)
An experienced Huntington Beach boating accident law firm will know how to investigate your case and identify all liable parties.
