Facts

On April 1, 2019, 17-year old student Jacob Hourmouzous attempted to rescue a stray dog from an irrigation canal. He jumped into the canal to catch the dog. He was electrocuted and died. His parents filed a lawsuit against the canal's owner and operator, the Solano Irrigation District, to recover from their injuries.

PLAINTIFF' 'CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs contended that defendant was negligent in its assembly of electrical equipment adjacent to the canal. Plaintiffs contended that defendant failed to properly ground the electrical equipment and caused the water to become electrified. Plaintiffs also contended that defendant knew that members of the public used the canal for recreation, heightening the danger.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant contended that the death was a tragic accident. Defendant contended that the electrification's cause was unknown. Defendant contended that it the improper grounding could have been caused by vandalism.

Result

Defendant agreed to pay plaintiffs $7 million to settle plaintiffs' claim.