Tommy Lee Sued For Wrongful Death Over Last Summer's Drowning

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - Tommy Lee has been sued by the estate of Daniel Karven-Veres, the 4-year-old boy who drowned at the rocker's Malibu, Calif., house last summer, for wrongful death, premises liability, general negligence, and negligent supervision.

The suit was filed on Feb. 15 in Los Angeles Superior Court by Ursula Karven and James Veres, the parents of the child. The boy died of asphyxia by drowning in the pool at Lee's house on June 16, 2001 while attending a birthday party for Lee's 5-year-old son Brandon.

The suit claims that "no adult, hired professional, lifeguard, or otherwise, was designated to ensure the safety of the young children swimming in the pool, and to be responsible in the event life-saving procedures were necessary."

It also claims that the boy was "allowed to enter the swimming pool with no inquiry as to his swimming competence or need for supervision" and that he was "left unattended in the pool and allowed to swim while no competent adult, or person acting in a supervisory capacity, watched carefully to ensure his safety." The parents are seeking damages according to proof, to be determined at a trial.

Shortly after the incident, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department had declared the drowning an accident, and no charges were pressed against Lee, who was said to be "devastated" by the accident. Representatives for Lee could not be reached for comment at press time.