The ocean can be dangerous. Rip currents and waves can cause a person to drown, and sadly, that was what happened to a man in 2020. The 48-year-old former firefighter-paramedic drowned during a group therapy outing with a treatment facility.
In the fall of 2020, Jeffrey Watson drowned in a rip current off Daytona Beach, Florida. At the time of his death, he was under the care of an employee of a mental health and addiction treatment facility. The man’s widow filed a wrongful death lawsuit with Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm. The lawsuit alleged violations of Florida’s Adult Protective Services Act. The case recently reached an undisclosed settlement.
Watson joined group therapy to receive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction following years of exposure to trauma as a first responder. On the day of the incident, the lifeguard towers and parking area showed red flag warnings indicating dangerous rip currents.
Despite these warnings, the facility’s employee led the group to an isolated stretch of beach half a mile away from the nearest lifeguard tower. No warning flags were visible. The employee did not take the time to learn about the ocean conditions. In addition, the patients were not warned of the dangers posed by the strong currents. Because of this negligence and lack of knowledge, Watson drowned in a rip current.
Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased’s widow, Leslie Wilson, against Promise Behavioral Health, LLC, doing business as Promises Five Palms. The supervising employee was also named in the lawsuit, which was filed in Volusia County Circuit Court. The lawsuit alleged negligence under Florida common law and neglect under Florida’s Adult Protective Services Act.
According to a notice filed with the court on August 1, 2024, the case was settled. The plaintiff, devastated by the loss of her husband, expressed relief that the case was amicably resolved. She praised the firm’s dedication, stating, “I have some emotional closure. I’m incredibly grateful to Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm.”
David Brill, managing partner of Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, stated that people like Watson who suffer from PTSD and addiction are the kind of vulnerable adults Florida’s Adult Protective Services Act is designed to protect. The law firm is honored to have advocated on behalf of Watson, who lived his life as a heroic first responder who dedicated his life to helping others.
Dangers of the Ocean
There is no denying the beauty of the ocean. Many people love to walk on the beach and hear the roaring of the waves, but despite this sense of calmness, the ocean can be dangerous. Here are some dangers to be aware of:
- Rip currents. These are fast, narrow currents of water flowing away from shore that can pull swimmers out to sea.
- Tsunamis. These are massive waves caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
- Storm surges. These refer to water pushed ashore by hurricanes or typhoons, causing coastal flooding.
- High waves. Sudden, towering waves that can appear without warning are especially dangerous for boats.
- Sharks. While attacks are rare, shark encounters can be dangerous in some regions.
- Jellyfish. Some species, such as box jellyfish, have venom that can cause severe pain or even death.
- Stingrays. Their spines can cause painful injuries and infections if stepped on.
- Venomous fish. Lionfish and stonefish have sharp, venomous spines.
- Drowning. A leading cause of accidental death, drowning in the ocean is often caused by exhaustion, panic, or strong currents.
- Hypothermia. Immersion in cold water can lead to shock, muscle cramps, and hypothermia.
Wrongful Death by Drowning
Drowning can occur in various scenarios, such as the following:
- Swimming pools. Private or public swimming pools can cause drownings due to a lack of safety, such as a lack of proper fencing or gate locks. There may be no lifeguards or inadequate supervision. Defective pool equipment, such as drains or lights, could also lead to drowning.
- Natural bodies of water. Lakes, rivers, and beaches can all be sites of drawings. Drownings can occur due to a lack of warning signs about rip currents or unsafe waters. Inadequate lifeguard coverage and improper rental of equipment without safety briefings can also lead to unsafe conditions.
- Boating and water sports accidents. Operator negligence, such as intoxicated boating, is a huge issue. So is failure to follow speed limits and a lack of safety equipment, such as not wearing life vests.
- Hotel or waterpark accidents. Unsafe pool or water features, inadequate supervision, and poor maintenance of facilities can all lead to drownings.
Contact Us Today
A person can die wrongfully at any time. There is likely third-party negligence involved, as well as immense grief and financial issues to deal with.
The team at Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, can assist you if your loved one has died unexpectedly due to someone else’s negligence. We have the experience and dedication to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. Fill out the online form or call (954) 876-4344 to schedule a consultation. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.