San Diego Settles Lifeguard Jet Ski Accident for $750K

San Diego is set to pay $750,000 to a Naval Academy student from Rancho Santa Fe who sustained severe head injuries after being struck by a city lifeguard’s personal watercraft. This significant settlement follows an incident at La Jolla Cove that brought the city’s lifeguard division under scrutiny regarding its own watercraft operations and safety protocols.

The La Jolla Cove Incident: A Swimmer’s Nightmare

In December 2023, Ali Polidori, a former triathlete and Torrey Pines High School graduate, was severely injured while swimming in La Jolla Cove. She was hit by an 800-pound city lifeguard jet ski, which was reportedly traveling at more than 20 mph in a designated swimming area where all vessels are typically banned, except for lifeguard emergency use. Polidori suffered a 5-inch laceration to the back of her head, requiring seven staples and multiple nights in intensive care.

Her lawsuit, which initially sought $3 million in damages, argued that the lifeguard was operating the watercraft “unreasonably and dangerously fast” and failed to exercise due caution, despite responding to an emergency call for another swimmer in distress.

City Lifeguards Face Hypocrisy Claims

The settlement highlights a critical issue for San Diego’s lifeguard division. Lifeguard Chief James Gartland has frequently blamed reckless personal watercraft activity on illegal rental companies, citing their failure to provide proper safety instructions. However, Polidori’s lawsuit directly challenged this stance, alleging that lifeguards themselves contribute to the problem through their own operational behavior.

The incident has drawn attention to the need for consistent and stringent safety standards, regardless of who is operating the watercraft. While city officials emphasize lifeguards receive extensive training, the lawsuit suggests a gap in applying that training responsibly in critical situations.

Ali Polidori’s Road to Recovery and Advocacy for Safer Beaches

The physical and mental toll on Ali Polidori has been substantial. Her lawsuit described her as “a shell of her former student-athlete self” upon returning to the U.S. Naval Academy. Despite the trauma, she is slated to graduate from the academy in June 2026. Her family’s attorney, Rachel Fiset, expressed hope that the lawsuit would ultimately contribute to making San Diego’s cherished beaches safer for all swimmers.

Inconsistent Police Report Findings

Adding to the complexity of the case, the police report on the incident presented conflicting conclusions. While it stated that traveling at 20 to 25 mph “does not appear to represent reckless or negligent operation” and was “within the act of operating within due regard for the public,” it also pointed out that the lifeguard seemed to violate international navigation rules. Specifically, the report cited failure to drive at a safe speed to avoid a crash and not maintaining a proper lookout.

Broader Concerns: Another Jet Ski Tragedy

This isn’t the only personal watercraft-related lawsuit the City of San Diego is currently facing. In a separate and tragic incident, the family of 12-year-old Savannah Peterson, who was killed by a personal watercraft on Mission Bay in July 2023, has also sued the city. They contend that city officials were aware of the dangers and failed to implement adequate safety measures. The driver in that case pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and received a sentence.

Comparing Jet Ski-Related Incidents & Outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Safety & Settlements

• What was the total amount the Polidori family sought in their lawsuit?
  The lawsuit filed by Ali Polidori and her family initially sought $3 million in damages.
• Why is the lifeguard division accused of hypocrisy?
  The accusation stems from the division’s public focus on the dangers of illegal personal watercraft rentals, while one of its own lifeguards caused a serious injury by operating a jet ski unsafely in a swimming area.
• Are all personal watercraft banned from La Jolla Cove?
  Generally, all vessels are banned from La Jolla Cove’s swimming area, with the exception of those operated by lifeguards during emergencies.
• What does this settlement mean for future water safety in San Diego?
  The family’s attorney hopes the facts brought to light by this lawsuit will lead to enhanced safety measures and stricter adherence to operational protocols for all watercraft, including those used by city lifeguards, to ensure San Diego’s beaches remain safe.

This incident underscores the critical need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols by all individuals operating watercraft, including emergency responders, to ensure the well-being of everyone enjoying San Diego’s precious coastal waters.

San Diego Settles Lifeguard Jet Ski Accident