River death dispute restored to civil docket

A judge’s order has returned a civil dispute over a rafter’s death in the Chattooga River to the docket of the Oconee Common Pleas Court. It’s a new turn in a case that was first filed three years ago, three years after the death of Tom Hill, 51 years old. Judge Scott Sprouse of Walhalla acted this week on a request by the attorney for Linda Hill, as personal representative of Tom Hill’s estate. Linda Hill seeks a jury trial to decide her complaint alleging wrongful death. On March 14, 2018 the case was stricken from the docket but, according to the order by Sprouse this week, “Based upon the Court’s review and for good cause shown, this matter is hereby restored to the active trial docket.” The plaintiff’s allegations raise issues of whether a rafting company and two guides acted properly in including Tom Hill, a novice to Class V rapids, in a rafting trip thru an intense set of Chattooga rapids on June 19, 2013. The lawsuit claims Mr. Hill was thrown into the river and his body was not recovered until 17 days later. According to the plaintiff’s complaint, “The amount in the controversy exceeds One Million (1,000,000) Dollars.” The defendants have filed responses to the allegations, denying the allegations, and requesting the lawsuit be dismissed.