LAKE DROWNING CASE SETTLES FOR $600,000

The deceased drowned in a lake with no lifeguard on duty. There was no witness except his 5 year old daughter. In this difficult liability case we presented evidence that the lake had been dredged and there was a sudden, unmarked drop-off in the depth of the water that swimmers could not know about. This drop-off was inside the roped off swimming area that was supposed to be shallow enough to stand in. Because the deceased could not swim, the drop-off proved fatal. Liability in the case was based on the fact that at a private lake where the owner charges admission, the owner has to take precautions to make the swimming safe for the paying customers.