$10 Million Awarded to Family of Graydon Drowning Victim

A Hackensack jury has awarded the family of a Korean boy who drowned in Graydon Pool in 2008 a $10 million award, according to a report on northjersey.com.

Soo Hyeon Park, 13 of Korea, was visiting family friends in Ridgewood when he drowned in Graydon.

According to a report from The Ridgewood News filed Tuesday, when Soo Hyeon swam in the deep water, he struggled. None of the nine lifeguards on duty saw Park – who never passed the deep water test, struggle – according to witness testimony cited in previous reports.

The Park family witnessed the search and rescue; Soo Hyeon's body was not found for 40 minutes and the victim's family argued negligence on the part of Ridgewood, which a jury agreed with.

The family previously rejected a $600,000 settlement offer made by Ridgewood, according to The Ridgewood News.

An official said $4 million was awarded for pain and suffering that the victim suffered while drowning; $2 million was awarded to each of his parents; $1 million to his sister for emotional distress; $1 million for the anticipated "loss of guidance" and future earnings Soo Heon Park would have provided his family should he have lived.

Council members said they weren't yet fully aware of the details and had few statements to make regarding the jury's decision.

"As stated at the time of the tragedy in 2008, The Village of Ridgewood is sympathizes with the family of Soo Hyeon Park for the loss of their son and brother," Mayor Keith Killion said in a statement issued to media Tuesday evening.
 
"At this time the Joint Insurance Fund and the Reinsurer for the JIF are reviewing the events in the trial to consider if it is appropriate for an appeal of the decision. All elected officials and staff of the Village are advised by council that it would not be appropriate to make further comments." 

Officials privately said they expect there will be some type of appeal, but did not elaborate on future legal manueving.

Though the money paid out – assuming an appeal does not overturn the award – does not directly come from the operating budget, it does come from the insurance company, which typically raises premiums after large payments.

Officials declined to speculate on the financial ramifications to Ridgewood when reached for comment Tuesday.