LAWSUIT FILED AFTER YOUTH DROWNING AT BELLVILLE SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed after the drowning of a special needs youth at a camp in Bellville.
(courtesy photo)
David Harrison, representing the estate of 14-year-old Lucas Harrison, filed suit against Camp Journey last Friday in Harris County District Court. He is seeking monetary relief of over $1 million, alleging that the camp was negligent in its efforts to prevent the drowning of Lucas on July 23rd.
The lawsuit states that on the 23rd, Lucas was swimming in a pool with other campers and camp counselors, where they were supervised by a lifeguard. The lawsuit claims the lifeguard did not notice when Lucas, who was not wearing a life vest, began to drown or attempt to rescue him as he was drowning. It further states that the lifeguard did not discover Lucas until he had sunk to the bottom of the pool.
The lawsuit alleges that Camp Journey failed to exercise safety precautions; provide a safe environment at the pool; and properly supervise, train, and hire a sufficient number of counselors and lifeguards to monitor the pool where the drowning occurred.
According to its website, Camp Journey was established in 2008 and offers programs and activities serving people of all ages with disabilities. The camp’s principal office is located in Harris County. Prior to becoming Camp Journey, the site, located at 5193 Texas 36, was the Woodmen of the World Southeast Texas Youth Camp.
The plaintiff is represented by Houston attorney Randy Sorrels of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Sorrels, Agosto, Aziz and Stogner.