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Whitewater Safety- Oregon Case Draws National Attention
This is one of the many cases in which the experienced trial lawyers at the Corson & Johnson Law Firm of Eugene, Oregon have protected the rights of individuals and families harmed by senseless accidents, errors, or product defects. Though no amount of money can ever fully compensate for the loss of a loved one or permanent injury, a financial award can be the difference between a life of want and neglect, and a life in which the burden of injury has at least been partially relieved.
View CNN 's story on Chapin Clark death and whitewater safety
Outfitter Company Safety Equipment and Traning Not Adequate
In October, 2002, when Chapin Clark, an experienced outdoorsman,
selected a company for a guided whitewater trip, he trusted that the
outfitter company put safety first.
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| The Chapin D. Clark seal lets river visitors know that an outfitter is informed of safety and rescue procedures. |
He was killed after the boat in which he was riding capsized. The boat was not equipped with a basic rescue rope, and the guide had not been trained in water rescue techniques.
The driftboat was on the Rogue River when it entered a canyon-walled stretch of whitewater known as Coffee Pot. The swift current pushed the drift boat sideways against a rock, tossing out Clark, a second passenger and the guide. Though Clark was wearing a life vest, the guide was not. There was no rescue equipment on board nor did the guide have any rescue training. Because the rescue attempt was delayed and poorly done, Chapin Clark did not survive.
Oregon Law Passed and Signed in 2005 to Improve Whitewater Safety and Training
During a lawsuit against the outfitter, the Clark family's
attorney, Don Corson, discovered that there were no rules or regulations
in Oregon or most of the other 50 States that mandated water rescue
certification and safety equipment for whitewater outfitters and guides.
Corson wrote the preliminary legislation that would require higher
safety standards. Julia Clark (Chapin Clark's daughter), Mari Anne
Gest (a friend and environmental lobbyist), Phil Barhnart (Democratic
Representative from Eugene), and Floyd Prozanski (Democratic Senator
from Eugene) crafted and negotiated the final bill and worked with
Oregon Guides and Packers to get it passed.
The Governor of Oregon signed it into law on July 22, 2005.
Chapin Clark Whitewater Safety Foundation Pursues Improved Whitewater Safety Nationwide
Don Corson has worked closely with the Chapin Clark Whitewater Safety
Foundation to improve river guide safety standards on a national level,
previously serving on the Board of the Foundation.
As part of the mission of Making Sure the Law Works for Everyone, The Corson & Johnson Law Firm actively persues this type of positive result beyond revovering monetary compensation for our clients through the judicial system. Through the cases we handle, The Corson & Johnson Law Firm is committed to working for changes that stop or reduce the recurrence of senseless accidents, errors, or product defects in effort to provide a safer environment for every American.
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