Personal Injuries - Part 2

• Are adult church members who attend a youth group camping trip as "chaperons" personally liable for the drowning death of one of the children? That was the issue before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. A Baptist church in Oklahoma sponsored an overnight outing for children in grades seven through twelve at a nearby park. The church's youth minister, who was in charge of the event, secured 24 adult volunteers to act as chaperons during the trip. The children were allowed to swim in an area adjacent to the campsite that was not approved by park personnel. A 13-year-old boy who was not a member of the church attended the trip as a guest of a member. He was discovered missing during a lunch period, and a search for him began. A few hours later, his body was found during dragging operations in the swimming area. The boy's parents filed a lawsuit against the church, the youth minister, and the ...