Executive Summary
- Simon J. Mariani, 28, died after being struck by lightning during a tournament at Ballyowen Golf Course in July.
- A lawsuit filed by the victim’s father alleges Crystal Springs Resort failed to monitor weather or warn golfers of the danger.
- The complaint claims the owners acted with disregard for safety protocols, causing severe emotional distress to the father who witnessed the event.
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the owners of a Sussex County, New Jersey, golf course following the death of a 28-year-old man who was struck by lightning during a tournament in July. The civil complaint, lodged in the Superior Court of Bergen County, alleges that the facility failed to adequately warn participants of approaching severe weather.
According to court filings submitted on December 3, Simon J. Mariani of Franklin Lakes was struck by lightning on July 8 at the Ballyowen Golf Course. He was participating in an Ironman Tournament, a 36-hole event, when the incident occurred. Police reports indicate that officers responded to the scene at approximately 1:50 p.m. to provide aid before Mariani was airlifted to Cooperman Barnabas Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries on July 14, according to his obituary.
The lawsuit, filed by the victim’s father, Scott Mariani, names Crystal Springs Resort, the owner of Ballyowen Golf Club, as the defendant. The complaint asserts that the club owners "failed to warn golfers of the imminent lightning danger, failed to suspend play and failed to provide timely or adequate evacuation instructions," despite the presence of hazardous weather conditions. The filing further alleges that the owners did not maintain established lightning-warning protocols to ensure the safety of tournament participants.
Scott Mariani, who was golfing with his son, witnessed the strike. The suit states that the father suffered "severe and foreseeable emotional distress" and possessed a "contemporaneous awareness of the gravity of his son’s injuries." The plaintiffs contend that the business owners acted with "willful and wanton disregard of known lightning dangers." A representative for Crystal Springs Resort did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the litigation.
Liability and Safety Standards
This litigation highlights the legal responsibilities of recreational facilities regarding severe weather management and the duty of care owed to patrons. In premises liability cases involving natural phenomena, courts typically examine whether a business had reasonable protocols in place to monitor weather patterns and whether they acted swiftly to mitigate foreseeable risks. The outcome of this suit may influence how golf courses and outdoor event organizers implement lightning detection systems and evacuation procedures to align with industry safety standards.
