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SUNNY Temp: 36 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 28, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2002 Suit seeks damages for teen victims of coastal accident The lawsuit claims the staff on the field trip did not take precautions to protect the youth before a wave struck them By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Two teens on a field trip to the California coast fell from a rocky cliff into the sea, killing one boy, because staff members at a Community Works youth program were negligent, a lawsuit charges. The suit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, seeks unspecified damages on behalf of the teens, who were in the care of the Lithia Springs Boys Program when the accident occurred on March 27, 2001. Justin Francis Hadley, 16, of White City drowned off the coast of Crescent City, Calif. Jeremy McGhee, a teenager from Grants Pass, hurt his back and suffered emotional distress scrambling from the ocean, the suit filed by Jeremy and Justin’s father alleges. "Those kids had no reason to be out where they were," Dana Hadley, 49, of White City said Friday. The lawsuit seeks claims against Community Works, the Oregon Youth Authority, the state of Oregon and 10 unnamed staff members of the Lithia Springs Boys Program. It seeks personal redress from Matthew Brodie, a staff member of the program, and Debbie Rios, an OYA supervisor. It alleges that the boys were allowed to run unsupervised along a rocky outcropping directly over the ocean, that staff failed to warn the boys of the dangers and that they had no emergency response plans in place. Witnesses told Del Norte County, Calif., sheriff’s deputies that a group of teens was struck by a rogue wave, which knocked down several people and swept Justin and Jeremy into the ocean. Survivors said Justin struck his head before falling into the water. Human remains believed to be Justin’s were found weeks later near the area where the boy disappeared. Arnie Green, executive director of Community Works, indicated Friday that the agency considers the incident a tragic accident. He said he couldn’t comment further because of pending legal action. Filed first in Multnomah County Circuit Court in March, the lawsuit was refiled in Jackson County in July. It seeks reimbursement for funeral expenses, attorney’s fees and damages for lost society, care and companionship on behalf of Justin’s family. It also seeks attorney’s fees and economic damages on Jeremy’s behalf. The Lithia Springs Boys Program contracts with state and county agencies to provide residential care to troubled young people. Changes have been made in the protocols for field trips and other activities as part of an agency overhaul in preparation for a state accreditation. Results are expected in the spring, Green said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S