Cunningham Bounds Announces $5-Million Settlement

The legal firms of Cunningham Bounds and Laird, Baker & Blackstock secured a $5-million settlement against Lakeland Tours, LLC d/b/a WorldStrides, Inc. The settlement, obtained on the fifth day of the trial, was on behalf of the family of a 15-year-old boy who lost his life after falling ill during an educational trip to Washington, D.C. WorldStrides, a prominent student travel company operating educational trips worldwide, marketed a "Doctors on Call” program, assuring customers access to a dedicated team of emergency physicians for the care of students during trips. The settlement exposed a discrepancy between what the company told parents and the care provided. Attorney Joseph McGowin of Cunningham Bounds emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "Companies like WorldStrides should be held accountable when they choose to put children at risk through deceptive sales tactics. After years of denying responsibility, WorldStrides only offered a fair settlement once a jury had heard the evidence and a verdict was imminent." Representing the family alongside McGowin were Cunningham Bounds attorneys Skip Finkbohner, Dave Wirtes and Joe Steadman, as well as attorney Wesley Laird of Laird, Baker & Blackstock.