Recreational Immunity in Wisconsin Swimming Death Lawsuit

A lawsuit over the swimming death of a 16-year-old boy has been dismissed in Chippewa County.

The lawsuit was brought by the parents of Justin Buss. He drowned after he and friends were swinging on a rope over Paint Creek in July 2010. Judge James Isaacson ruled the Town of Lafayette and its insurer have recreational immunity in the case. The lawsuit claimed Buss’ death was due to the negligence of the town and county because they failed to remove the hazardous rope. The teen swung out over the river on the rope, swung back and hit the cliff. He fell into the water and did not surface.

The Chippewa Herald says the county and its insurer were dismissed from the lawsuit earlier.