Tragedy at Lake Murray: A Reminder of the Dangers Lurking in Freshwater Lakes
Our firm was recently retained by the grieving family of 12-year-old Jaysen Carr, who tragically passed away on July 18 after contracting Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly brain-eating amoeba, while swimming in Lake Murray, just outside Columbia, South Carolina.
Jaysen was a bright, athletic, and gifted student at Hand Middle School. On July 4, like so many families do during the summer, he swam in a local lake. Two weeks later, what began as symptoms resembling a common headache took a tragic turn. Despite the swift action of his parents and the tireless efforts of medical professionals at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, Jaysen lost his life.
Naegleria fowleri is a naturally occurring organism found in warm freshwater lakes across the U.S., but infections are extremely rare, only 167 have been reported in the past 60 years. Unfortunately, South Carolina does not require public notification or testing following such incidents. As of now, Lake Murray remains open, and no official warnings have been issued.
This case is a devastating reminder that rare does not mean impossible. Our legal team is committed to supporting Jaysen’s family as they search for answers. Their goal is not only justice, but awareness, to ensure no other family suffers a similar loss in silence.
We urge the public to educate themselves about the risks of swimming in warm freshwater and to advocate for greater transparency and water safety measures. Our firm stands ready to help families who have experienced similar tragedies navigate their legal rights.
Disclaimer –
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing or interacting with this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact our office directly.
