With Sweat Lodge Deaths and Injuries, Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Lawsuits are Likely
A sweat lodge ceremony that turned deadly has claimed the life of a third participant. Liz Neuman died of Saturday. The 49-year-old was in a coma and suffered multiple organ damage after she and more than 50 other people attended a two-hour ceremony in a 415-foot enclosure at a retreat hosted by author and self-help expert James Arthur Ray. Now, Neuman’s family says they intend to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The other two people that died are Kirby Brown, 38, and James Shore, 40. The three victims and the other participants had each paid over $9,000 to attend Ray’s 5-day “Spiritual Warrior” event.
Before the sweat lodge, attendees spent 36 hours without food in the woods as part of a “vision quest.” They were served a buffet breakfast that morning.
Following the sweat lodge, participants were treated at hospitals for dehydration, organ failure, burns, respiratory arrest, and kidney failure. Sidney Spencer spent four days in a hospital because of multiple organ failure. She plans to sue Ray for personal injury.
Spencer’s personal injury lawyer says that when sweat lodge participants wanted to leave during the sweltering ceremony, Ray encouraged them to stay and fight the urge to exit the lodge. Another sweat lodge survivor, Beverley Bunn, told the Associated Press that Ray pushed participants too far. She says that although he didn’t force people to stay for the entire ceremony, he chided those who wanted to leave.
Police are trying to determine whether criminal charges need to be filed over the incident. At this time, they are treating the three deaths as homicides. Investigators are examining the sweat lodge to see whether it was constructed properly. They also want to find out what kind of medical care was available during the event.
Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers are following this story and will keep you abreast of developments.
Survivor cites fasting, pressure at sweat lodge, USA Today, October 21, 2009
Wrongful Death Suits Expected in Sedona Sweat Deaths; Brooklyn-Native Among Deceased, Brooklyn Eagle, October 19, 2009
1st sweat lodge survivor speaks out, AP, October 21, 2009
Related Web Resources:
James Arthur Ray
Wrongful Death Overview, Justia
The Law Offices of Steven J. Malman & Associates, PC represents Chicago injury and wrongful death clients throughout the Illinois.
