$10,022,700 Wrongful death and personal injury claims have been made against Olympic National Park over the death of Bob Boardman, and a full-blown lawsuit may be imminent, according to his estate's lawyer.
Personal injury lawyer John Messina of Tacoma said: “We are intending to file a wrongful death suit.”
He said the park is liable for Boardman's death.
“Negligence is the basis,” he said Friday. “Our goal is to seek justice in this case and wake up the park system.”
So far, three claims were made. They are from Boardman's estate; his widow, Susan Chadd of Port Angeles; and her son, Jacob Haverfield, Messina said, and were made as a prelude to likely filing the lawsuit against the park in federal District Court in Tacoma.
Park officials would not comment on the claims, said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.
On May 1, the claims were served on park Superintendent Karen Gustin Messina said.
Boardman, 63, of Port Angeles was fatally gored by a 370-pound mountain goat while hiking on Klahhane Ridge with Chadd and their friend Pat Willits, also of Port Angeles, on the afternoon of Oct. 16.
“I feel like they weren't protecting people and the ecosystem, and I feel that on the day of the accident, they responded very poorly to our calls for help,” Chadd said in an interview.
According to Chief Park Ranger Colin Smith, the mountain goat had a history of “aggressive behavior.”
According to park reports, Boardman had not acted aggressively toward the animal,.
According to park ranger reports of the incident, the mountain goat, which severed Boardman's artery, stood over Boardman for about 30 minutes, making it impossible for Chadd to reach him.
The reports said that Boardman likely died within five minutes of being gored .
Chadd said the park was “very irresponsible” by suggesting that throwing rocks would ward off the animal that killed her husband.
The wrongful death claims include $5 million for Boardman's estate, $3 million for Chadd and $2 million for Haverfield.