SALEM, Ore. -- A teen, severely disfigured on a school trip to Costa Rica, is suing his former school, Salem Academy, for $20.8 million.
The lawsuit comes two years after Joseph Christopher Johnson attended a June 2014 educational trip organized by the private Christian school through a tour company.
A complaint filed in Marion County claimed responsibility for the incident lay with the school and the trip chaperones acting as the academy's agents. The complaint stated the following:
Johnson, who was 16 or 17 at the time of the trip, was swimming off the beach of La Isla Tortuga in Costa Rica when his "head and face were chopped, cut and severely injured by the propeller of a motor boat."
The incident caused Johnson permanent scarring and disfigurement to his face and neck along with limiting his physical activities.
The complaint alleges that the chaperones, acting on behalf of the school, were negligent and failed to protect Johnson from an imminent, obvious danger.
The beach was a scheduled stop on the tour company's seven-day excursion. Tour materials promised "pristine and sandy white beaches," and a trip checklist suggested bringing a swim suit.
But the spot in the ocean where the teens were taken was not prohibited to motorboats.
The school reasonably should have known the dangers of taking students to the area, and how difficult it would be for boat operators to spot the teens as they were diving underwater.
The chaperones, who were supposed to be fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a parent while the minors were in their care on the trip, failed to take the actions necessary to prevent serious injury or death. Additionally, the school failed to adequately train and staff chaperones.
Johnson's medical bills following the incident totaled about $868,000. The complaint also requested $20 million in compensation for non-economic damages, like physical and mental pain, suffering and trouble with everyday activities. He will continue to need medical care and will suffer diminished earning capacity due to his injuries.
Salem Academy declined to comment on the suit and referred all questions to attorney Jeffrey Eberhard. Eberhard confirmed that the school was served with the complaint on Tuesday. Given the short notice, he declined to comment.
The school is a private, non-denominational Christian school and just celebrated its 70th anniversary. About 730 students attend the preschool through 12th grade campus on 942 Lancaster Drive NE.
Johnson is represented by Andrew Carter, an attorney based out of The Dalles.
Email wmwoodwort@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-399-6884 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth
