Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/town-washington-state-pay-15-million-parents-13-111420252

Town Settles Lawsuit After 13-Year-Old Drowns at Summer Camp

The city of Oak Harbor, Washington, has agreed to pay $15 million to the parents of a 13-year-old boy who drowned at a summer camp in 2020. The boy, Jackson R. Spooner, was attending the Camp Casey summer camp program when he drowned in the waters of Whidbey Island. The lawsuit alleged that the camp failed to properly supervise the children, leading to Jackson's death. The settlement, approved by the Oak Harbor City Council, resolves the lawsuit without admitting liability. The city's insurance will cover the $15 million payment. The family of Jackson Spooner issued a statement expressing gratitude for the settlement and hope that it might prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. The camp, operated by the city, has since been renamed the Oak Harbor Recreation Center and now emphasizes water safety for all its programs.

Summary

"The settlement brings closure to the tragedy for the Spooner family and acknowledges the shortcomings in safety protocols that contributed to Jackson's death. The city's action to rename the camp and prioritize water safety demonstrates a commitment to learning from the incident and preventing future tragedies."

Updated at: 06.27.2024