Court Holds Boy Scout Organization Responsible for Injury at Local Troop Activity

• Key point: A national scouting organization may be legally responsible for injuries sustained by minors at local scouting events on the basis of agency.

• In a case that will be relevant to any denomination that operates scouting or other organized youth activities, an Ohio court ruled that a national scouting organization was responsible for injuries suffered by a minor while engaged in a local scouting activity. While attending a campout sponsored by his local Boy Scout troop, a 10-year-old minor (the victim) was injured when he was struck in the face by a tree that he and another scout were attempting to cut down. Despite four eye operations the victim lost all vision in his right eye as a result of his injuries. The victim and his parents sued the national Boy Scouts of America (BSA), alleging a negligent failure to properly instruct and supervise him during the campout. BSA ...