HASTINGS (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court says a lifeguard who was on duty when a 19-year-old student drowned at a state-run school can’t be sued over the death.
In a recent 6-1 decision, the court said William Harman wasn’t the proximate cause of William Beals’ death and has immunity.
It’s not known why Beals, a good swimmer, drowned in 2009 at the pool at the Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Barry County. His body was in the deep end for several minutes.
Justice Brian Zahra says many students in the water apparently didn’t notice any distress. Some said the lifeguard was distracted and talking to girls.
In a dissent, Justice Richard Bernstein said Harman wasn’t in his designated position to notice Beals and try to immediately save him.
- Posted June 23, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Lifeguard off the hook in drowning at school
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- The Burton Book Review: ‘Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today’s Supreme Court’
- King Charles’ flyover tribute pauses Supreme Court arguments
- Former judge suspended over Facebook posts seeks relief from SCOTUS
- Trump judicial pick, rated unqualified by the ABA, advances in Senate
