Family of 10-year-old boy killed in jet ski accident sues Boy Scouts of America for $10 million, lawsuit claims

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – A Nashville family is suing the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America after their 10-year-old son was killed in a jet ski accident during a trip with the organization.

According to the lawsuit filed Aug. 30, Jack Gear was riding a personal watercraft on July 16 owned and operated by a person associated with the Boy Scouts of America.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a jet ski accident. While riding a jet ski, Jack was struck by a jet ski operated by a 19-year-old employee.

The lawsuit states that the second jet ski that collided with Jack was traveling at a high rate of speed.

Both Jack and the 19-year-old female employee were seriously injured in the collision. However, Jack was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The lawsuit alleges that the following acts of negligence and recklessness were committed by the Boy Scouts of America, Middle Tennessee Council, its employees and agents, which resulted in Jack’s injuries and death:

• Lack of adequate and proper training of agents, representatives and employees in the proper and safe operation of personal watercraft.
• Failure to properly supervise agents, representatives and employees in the proper and safe operation of personal watercraft.
• Failure to follow rules, regulations and guidelines for the safe and proper operation of personal watercraft, including the Boy Scouts of America policy requiring operators to idle engines within 50 feet of another personal watercraft.
• Failure to train, instruct and warn agents and employees about foreseeable hazards, including serious bodily injury and death, that could result from negligent and reckless operation of a personal watercraft.
• Failure to ensure proper training protocols and procedures for training, supervision and education of employees and agents in the operation of personal watercraft.
• Failure to act in a reasonable and prudent manner appropriate to the circumstances.

Jack’s parents are suing the Boy Scouts of America, Middle Tennessee Council, seeking $10 million in damages for the pain and physical suffering inflicted on Jack before his death.

They also sued Jack, seeking damages for the loss of life, emotional recovery, and care their surviving children lost as a result of his death.

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