Lahaina Fire Update: Our team is available and offering free consultations via phone, email and video-conferencing. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the devastating Maui fires.

Family Reaches Settlement in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The high profile Hawaii wrongful death case filed by the family of the New York teen swept out to sea has settled. According to Hawaii News Now, the parents of Tyler Madoff have reached an agreement with Bold Earth Teen Adventure and Hawaii Pack and Paddle stemming from the tragic accident that claimed the life of their son, Tyler. Tyler was part of a group of that had been on a hiking and kayaking trip with Bold Adventures. According to the wrongful death lawsuit, the teen's death was caused by the guides' "outrageously reckless and irresponsible decision" to lead the group from the "safety of the bay to the treacherous lava rock area."

A wrongful death lawsuit is similar to a personal injury lawsuit and may be filed by the surviving family members (typically parents, children or a spouse) of an individual killed due to the negligence of another. If you have questions concerning wrongful death lawsuits, it's important to seek the advice of a Hawaii wrongful death attorney right away.

Here, the lawsuit further alleged that the tour group was hiking near the Captain Cook monument at Kealakekua Bay when the group stopped to rest at a tide pool in a known dangerous area, outside of the state permitted area. While some of the teens on the tour were able to scrambled for cover and grab on to whatever they could to keep them from being swept back out of the tidal pools, Tyler was not as fortunate. According to the lawsuit "Tyler was last seen being swept through the tide pool by the raging waters and over the shore line cliffs into the ocean, never to be seen again."

The lawsuit also alleged that the group leader didn't do anything to help Tyler, adding that the leader has a criminal history of disorderly conduct and marijuana possession.

While the details of the settlement are not known, the parents of the teen stated that their hope is that tours will be run more carefully in the future, saving other famiilies from experiencing similar tragedies.

For more information about wrongful death or negligence, please contact the experienced Hawaii wrongful death lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.

Categories