A wrongful death lawsuit blames Gonzaga University, the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department and a tour guide for negligence that lead to the death of 18-year-old Christopher Gormley.

Gormley was one of seven university students who went on the kayaking trip organized by the university and partially funded by the city.

According to the lawsuit, dangerous weather conditions should have stopped the kayaking trip before it began. Official documents from the parks department say that touring companies cannot offer river tours when the wind “exceeds 13-18 mph.” On the morning of April 1, the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory effective between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. The kayak tour began at 10:30 am, despite warnings of 25 to 30 mph winds. The worst winds were expected between 11 am and 3 pm.

Several kayaks capsized within the trip’s first 30 minutes. The guide attempted to rescue the people in the capsized kayaks. When he pulled Gormley to shore, “he was so cold he could not move”, according to the police report.

Gormley’s mother seeks $5 million to compensate for the loss of her son.

When multiple parties ignore the law and basic safety precautions, lives are at stake. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help achieve some closure by holding the negligent parties responsible. If you lost a loved one due to another’s poor decisions, we can help you. Call (866) 377-3800 to schedule a free consultation with us, or visit our site to learn more about personal injury lawsuits.

[Tom’s Tips: Waivers do not protect tour operators if they break the law or ignore safety regulations.]

Metier Law Firm, LLC – Wyoming and Colorado injury lawyers