Second Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Fox River Drowning Accident Involving Chicago High School Students
Another Illinois wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in the drowning deaths of three North Lawndale College Prep Students who were attending a leadership retreat on the Fox River at Camp Algonquin last November 14. Jimmy Avant died after running into the river to try rescuing fellow students in a sinking paddleboat. Avant, 18, Adrian Jones, 16, and Melvin Choice, 17, were pronounced dead at the boating accident scene. This lawsuit's plaintiff is Jimmy’s father, Leonard Avant, who filed his complaint in Cook County Circuit Court.
Jones and Choice were riding in a paddleboat that had been winterized. Because the plug used to keep water from entering the boat had been removed, the boat sank.
According to the wrongful death lawsuit, the YMCA camp did not post any signs or notify the students that the boats were not in any condition to be used. The complaint also accuses North Lawndale College Prep of failing to provide better chaperones or properly supervise the high school students. The accident occurred after midnight when the chaperones had turned in for the night.
Named as wrongful death defendants are North Lawndale College Prep, YMCA of McHenry County, and VisionQuest Association, which was in charge of organizing the student leadership retreat. Leonard Avant is accusing them of negligence. He is seeking $50,001 in damages. Late last November, Melvin Choice’s mother, Virginia Choice, filed her Illinois wrongful death lawsuit against the three plaintiffs.
Schools and other organizations charged with the supervision of students can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death if someone is injured because there was an unsafe condition on a premise or the victim was not properly supervised.
Father Of Drowning Victim Sues School, Camp, CBS2Chicago.com, January 9, 2009
Another suit filed in drownings, The Daily Herald, January 15, 2009
After kids drown, mom files lawsuit, Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2009
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