Family of 11-year old girl who died by electrocution at Orange Lake Resorts’ mini-golf course seeks $27 million in damages
MIAMI – August, 2012 – In the wake of the death of 11-year-old girl, Ashton Jojo, Florida-based trial law firm Leesfield & Partners has filed suit against Orange Lake Country Club. In June, Ashton was retrieving a golf ball from a pond at Orange Lake Resorts’ mini-golf course when we she was electrocuted and died.
The wrongful death claim was filed in Orange County, Florida, and is seeking $27 Million in damages. Under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, these damages include the mental pain and suffering of Ashton’s parents, the loss of Ashton’s companionship, medical expenses, funeral costs, etc. The suit states that upon being electrocuted by the highly energized water in the pond, Ashton was unable to move and collapsed in the energized water, thus suffering continuous electrocution.
The country club’s employees failed to come to the young girl’s rescue. A good samaritan passing by attempted to rescue Ashton, which in turn led him to be shocked until the employees of the resort finally turned off the power of the water feature. According to the lawsuit, the electrically charged water was created by improper, illegal and grossly negligent repairs and modifications the resort made to its electrical breakers, submersible pumps and electrical wiring.
“A mother and father are grieving the death of their child today because the Orange Lake Country Club shirked its responsibility to properly maintain and repair its facility,” said Ira Leesfield, managing partner of Leesfield & Partners and attorney for the Jojo family. “Instead of having the water pump professionally installed, the club took a ‘go it our own’ approach – saving about a hundred bucks yet costing one girl’s precious life.” The resort failed to obtain proper permitting for the work. They did it “on the cheap” without a licensed electrician.
About Leesfield & Partners
Founded in 1976 and celebrating more than three decades of legal service, Leesfield & Partners is widely regarded as one of Florida’s premiere trial law firms. The practice focuses on cases involving serious personal injury, wrongful death, aviation, resort torts, cruise ship and maritime, motor vehicle accidents, product and premises liability, negligent security, medical malpractice and nursing home litigation. The firm’s headquarters are located at 2350 South Dixie Highway in Miami, with offices in Miami, South Beach, Key West, and Central Florida.
For more information, call (305) 854-4900 or 1-800-836-6400, or visit www.leesfield.com.