Teen Dies Of Parasitic Infection After Swimming In Lake Murray
The Naegleria fowleri amoeba is ubiquitous in the soil, but it rarely causes illness in humans. It can cause a rare, but usually fatal, disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), but the only way that PAM infections can occur is if contaminated water is forced far enough into the nostrils that it migrates to the brain. This only happens when people swim or dive in freshwater lakes and rivers with sandy bottoms. N. fowleri does not live in saltwater or in chlorinated swimming pools. The amoeba only survives in the water at high temperatures, which is why all PAM cases on record have been recorded in the summer. Every year since the 1960s, when PAM was first identified in the medical literature, several cases have been recorded in the United States; Texas and Florida account for the greatest share of cases. Symptoms of PAM resemble those of viral or bacterial meningitis, such as severe headache and vomiting. Several patients who received an early diagnosis have survived PAM infections, but most patients diagnosed with PAM have died from it. If you became ill after swimming in contaminated water on private property, contact a Columbia premises liability lawyer.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Naegleria fowleri Risks in Lake Murray?
Lake Murray is a reservoir created by a dam on the Saluda River; when it was built, it was the largest man-made reservoir in the world. Since the 1930s, it has been supplying hydroelectric power to much of South Carolina. Therefore, Dominion Energy is in charge of Lake Murray in its capacity as a source of hydroelectric power. It is also a popular recreational area for boating and swimming.
On the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, Jaysen Carr visited Lake Murray with his family, and went boating and swimming on the lake. Several days later, he began experiencing severe headaches and other meningitis-like symptoms. He was eventually diagnosed with PAM caused by N. fowleri infection, and he died later in July. He was 12 years old.
Since then, Jaysen’s parents have been speaking out about the dangers of lake swimming and calling for greater protections that would prevent illnesses like the one that claimed Jaysen’s life. This could include testing lake water for PAM or posting physical signs or online data, warning visitors of the risks. They have not yet filed any lawsuits in connection to Jaysen’s death. If someone became infected with N. fowleri simply after swimming in a public lake, premises liability laws likely would not apply, due to recreational land use statutes. Because of the relationship between Lake Murray and Dominion Energy, premises liability laws may apply in this case, even though visitors can swim in Lake Murray without paying admission.
Let Us Help You Today
The personal injury lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you get adequate compensation after an illness caused by a parasite-contaminated recreational area. Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.
Source:
cbsnews.com/news/jaysen-carr-south-carolina-brain-eating-amoeba-awareness/
