Wrongful death suit filed in Florida after electrocution accident

People across Florida have heard about the tragic accident that occurred earlier this year in June when a young girl was electrocuted on a miniature golf course. Now, the parents of the young victim are suing the resort that ran the course for the wrongful death of their daughter.

The family is asking for more than $27 million to cover the damages and costs associated with the loss of the 11-year-old girl. They say that the golf course was improperly and irresponsibly maintained, which led to the devastating accident. The family says the resort where they were staying on vacation neglected to keep visitors safe on their grounds, which included the miniature golf course.

According to the lawsuit, the young girl was golfing with her parents and her older brother when her ball slipped into pond next to the course. As she reached in to retrieve her ball, she was fatally executed. A bystander rushed to her rescue and was electrocuted as well, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

Reports indicate that the resort had not hired a qualified electrical contractor to repair old equipment in the pond. The electrical components in the water were damaged and were not properly fixed, and there was no permit obtained to replace the equipment. This negligence made the water hazard very literally a hazard.

The damages the family is requesting from the Florida resort are intended to punish the negligence exhibited by the company and also to compensate the family for their suffering and emotional distress. Filling the lawsuit is also a way for the family to find out what exactly happened, who was responsible and whether the accident could have been prevented.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, “Parents of girl electrocuted playing miniature golf sue resort,” Susan Jacobson, Aug. 21, 2012