The family of a young boy who was killed by a falling tree at a nature camp in Carroll County, Maryland two years ago said that camp officials could have prevented the accident in a number of ways. Because of this, the family has brought a $12 million wrongful death lawsuit against the county.

The boy, who was nine years old at the time of his death, was visiting the Westminster, Maryland camp from his home in Pennsylvania. Along with 61 other children, the boy embarked on a walk along a camp path when he was hit by a falling tree and suffered severe injuries. He was brought to a hospital where he died two days later.

The lawsuit alleges that the 100-foot-tall tree that struck the boy was dead, and that camp officials should have cut it down as a safety precaution. Camp officials told investigators that any dead trees that were located near structures had been removed. A report by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources did reveal that the tree had significant decay, including at the base of the trunk.

Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that camp officials were negligent in allowing children to go outside on a very windy day. The National Weather Service had issued a high-wind advisory that day, which saw 23 mph winds with gusts up to 37 mph.

The suit was filed in Carroll County Circuit Court on behalf of the child's mother and one set of grandparents. The county now has 30 days to answer the suit. The county attorney did not immediately issue a statement on the matter.

Source: Baltimore Sun, "Family of boy killed by falling tree at camp sues Carroll Co.," Arthur Hirsch, Dec. 7, 2011