Trial Magazine

Verdicts & Settlements: Negligence

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Improper supervision of camp counselors

December 2024

T.B. was a camper at Camp Seymour, an overnight summer youth camp owned and operated by the Young Men’s Christian Association of Pierce and Kitsap Counties (YMCA), from age 8 to 10. He was allegedly sexually abused multiple times by camp counselors Kenneth Baines and Randy Tollefson, and the abuse continued for multiple summers. Now 57, T.B. suffers from PTSD as a result of the trauma he experienced.

T.B. sued the YMCA, alleging negligent hiring, supervision, monitoring, and retention of the counselors and failure to warn of the dangers they posed. The defense admitted liability but disputed the plaintiff’s injuries. The defense also argued that the plaintiff failed to mitigate his damages.

The jury awarded $7.5 million. The parties resolved the case for $7 million under a high-low agreement.

Citation: T.B. v. Young Men’s Christian Ass’n of Pierce & Kitsap Cntys., No. 22-2-05056-5 (Wash. Super. Ct. Pierce Cnty. Mar. 11, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Michael T. Pfau and Steven T. Reich, both of Seattle; and AAJ member Peter B. Janci, Portland, Ore.

Plaintiff expert: Holly Joubert, child sexual abuse, Tucson.