Negligence Lawsuit | North America | Society

I. Introduction: When a Fun Trip Turns Into Injury

A deeply disturbing accident during a church-sponsored boating trip has triggered a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2022, during a youth group outing at Boysen Reservoir in Wyoming, a rope-towing incident allegedly severed the foot of a 12-year-old boy. Now, nearly three years later, the boy’s court-appointed conservator is suing the LDS Church, claiming negligence, inadequate safety measures, and irreversible harm. This case raises critical questions about institutional responsibility, youth supervision, and the liabilities of religious organizations in sponsored recreational activities.

II. Factual Background

1. The Event
   • On August 10, 2022, members of the LDS Church’s Aspen Park Ward Young Men group organized a youth tubing trip at Boysen Reservoir in Fremont County, Wyoming. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
   • During the activity, a group of children was towed behind a speedboat on an inner tube, a common recreational setup. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • According to the lawsuit, the boat driver instructed the children to “feed out the rope” that connected the tube to the boat. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • The driver allegedly then abruptly accelerated, causing the coiled rope to entangle the 12-year-old’s left foot, severing it below the ankle. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
2. Rescue & Aftermath
   • According to court documents, when the engine was cut to stop the boat, it flooded and would not restart, leaving the group stranded. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • The boy’s 14-year-old brother used his windbreaker as a tourniquet to slow bleeding, then called 911. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
   • They used the inner tube to help reach shore, where emergency responders applied a proper tourniquet. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
   • The boy was airlifted to a hospital in Casper and then transferred to Denver. Despite medical attention, doctors had to amputate his foot. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • Legal filings allege that he has since undergone multiple surgeries and will require lifelong care, calling the injury “catastrophic.” (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))

III. Legal Claims & Arguments

1. Negligence
   • The lawsuit accuses the LDS Church of negligence, arguing that it failed to implement adequate safety protocols for the tubing activity. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • Specifically, the plaintiffs contend that the Church did not provide training or safety guidance for adult supervisors (mentors, group leaders) responsible for the children. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
   • The complaint asserts that the severing of a child’s foot is not an inherent or acceptable risk of boating or tubing, but rather a foreseeable hazard that could have been mitigated. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • By failing to ensure safe procedures, the Church is alleged to have “carelessly increased the dangers” to the children. (Cowboy State Daily)
2. Damages & Relief Sought
   • The plaintiffs (through the boy’s conservator) are requesting monetary damages, interest, costs, and “any other relief the court deems just.” (Cowboy State Daily)
   • They argue that the injuries are permanent and life-altering, justifying significant compensation.
3. Emotional Harm to Sibling
   • The lawsuit also names the boy’s 14-year-old sister, who witnessed the traumatic event, claiming she suffered emotional and psychological trauma from watching her brother’s injury. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • This claim underscores that the impact extends beyond physical injury to long-term emotional damage.

IV. Legal Risks & Challenges

1. Duty of Care for Church-Sponsored Activities
   • A core issue will be the extent of the Church’s legal duty to supervise during recreational, voluntary, youth group activities. Courts often consider whether the activity was officially “sanctioned” or “sponsored” by the organization.
   • The plaintiffs argue this was a church-sanctioned event, which strengthens their claim that the Church assumed a duty of care. (Cowboy State Daily)
   • The defense may argue that risk was inherent, or that liability is limited under relevant doctrinal or organizational rules; but the severity of the injury could make that argument more difficult.
2. Foreseeability & Preventability
   • For negligence, foreseeability is critical: could the Church reasonably have foreseen that an uncoiled tow rope could dangerously wrap around a foot?
   • The plaintiffs claim safer training, clearer instructions, or better leadership could have prevented the accident.
3. Causation & Damages
   • The plaintiffs must show a direct link between the Church’s alleged failure and the injury.
   • Long-term damages must be quantified, including medical needs, future surgeries, prosthetics, and psychological support.
4. Religious Organization Liability
   • As a religious institution, the LDS Church may raise certain defenses: for example, whether the event was part of purely voluntary religious education, how much control local ward (congregation) leadership had over logistics, and whether there was a waiver.
   • However, religious status does not automatically shield from negligence liability, especially in cases involving physical harm and insufficient safety measures.

V. Broader Implications & Risks

1. Youth Safety in Faith-Based Programs
   • This case could prompt other faith-based organizations to re-examine their risk management practices, especially for youth activities involving potentially dangerous recreation.
   • If liability is established, church groups may need more formal training, waivers, or safety protocols for similar outings.
2. Church Reputation & Trust
   • For the LDS Church, the lawsuit raises reputational risk: a high-profile injury at a youth event may shake the confidence of parents and congregants in how the Church handles youth supervision.
   • A large damages award could also have financial implications, especially if similar claims arise.
3. Legal Precedent
   • A finding of negligence could establish precedent in Wyoming (and potentially other jurisdictions) about how much responsibility religious organizations owe during voluntary, church-organized recreational events.
   • It might influence how courts treat church-sponsored youth outings, balancing religious freedom with institutional accountability.

VI. Conclusion

The lawsuit against the LDS Church over the 2022 Boysen Reservoir tubing trip is a sobering reminder that even religious, youth-group activities carry real risk — and that organizations must take active steps to protect participants. The amputation of a 12-year-old boy’s foot is a catastrophic injury, and the legal claims underscore that this was not a random accident, but one that plaintiffs believe stems from preventable failures.

As the case proceeds, it will test how the courts assign responsibility when faith organizations supervise children outdoors. The outcome could have lasting effects on how churches structure youth events, manage risk, and balance religious mission with duty of care. For now, the plaintiffs are demanding accountability, restitution, and a recognition that what happened was far more than an unfortunate mishap.