Nationwide — The parents of Lamar McGlothurn, an 8-year-old African American boy from Southern California who was killed when a tree branch fell at a summer camp, have reached a multimillion-dollar settlement in a wrongful death case. The agreement totals more than $19 million.
Court documents show about $16 million will come from insurers tied to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which manages King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Another $3 million will come from insurers for Camp Wildcraft and a landscaping company, according to People.
The case stems from a July 9, 2025, incident at the camp. Children and staff were gathered under a large oak tree when a heavy branch suddenly broke off and fell into the group.
Lamar was struck and fatally injured in the collapse. Four other people, including two children and two adults, were also hurt during the same incident.
His parents had just arrived to pick him up when the branch fell. They rushed to the scene and tried to help before emergency crews arrived, but Lamar did not survive.
The family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the land authority, the camp, and a landscaping company. They said those responsible failed to properly monitor the condition of the tree.
The complaint stated the oak showed signs of decay and that concerns about its condition had already been raised. It also noted that another branch had fallen from the same tree days earlier.
The lawsuit argued that warnings were ignored, and the area under the tree stayed open to campers. It also claimed routine inspections and maintenance could have prevented the tragedy.
“This tragedy was entirely preventable,” attorney Robert Glassman said in a statement for the family. He added that families deserve answers and accountability when dangerous conditions appear on public property.