Family of teen who drowned at Winnipeg pool sues city, lifeguards

The family of a teenager who drowned at a Winnipeg pool have sued the city and several lifeguards, claiming they were negligent.

The family of a teenage boy who drowned at a Winnipeg pool last year is suing the city and several lifeguards, claiming they each had a duty to protect the boy, but failed to do so.

The family of Adam Sereda-Paul filed the statement of claim on Aug. 21 in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench against the city of Winnipeg and four unnamed lifeguards, seeking $100,000 in damages from each.

Sereda-Paul died on April 1, 2024, after drowning in the pool at the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex.

The suit alleges the city and the four licenced lifeguards breached their statutory duty by not adequately supervising and guarding Sereda-Paul, which caused his death.

The statement of claim also alleged the city did not have an adequate number of lifeguards on duty that day," employed “young, inexperienced and immature guards,” that day and failed to protect Sereda-Paul from “incompetent lifeguarding.”

The claim also alleges emergency equipment, such as the emergency alarm on the pool deck and the deck radio was not in proper working order. It said both parents require professional counselling

The claim says both parents suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and mental distress in the wake of the drowning, with Sereda-Paul’s mother also mentioning a fear of attending recreational water facilities.

None of the claims have been proven in court.

In an email to CTV News, the city said it was aware of the statement of claim, but declined to comment further, noting the matter is before the courts.

No statements of defence have been filed.