Naya Rivera's Family Pleased With 'Just Compensation' In Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Naya Rivera’s family will never be the same, but at least they can rest easy now that their wrongful death lawsuit has been settled.

The “Glee” actress’ family is reportedly “very pleased” with the outcome of the lawsuit.

The Blast exclusively reported on the wrongful death lawsuit filed by her ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, and her estate.

On Monday, February 28, we broke the news.

According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, a settlement was reached by the ‘Glee’ star’s estate and the father of her young son, Josey Hollis Dorsey.

The then four-year-old boy was with his mother on the rented pontoon boat on Lake Piru, when she reportedly drowned in 2020.

Naya’s untimely death sparked a lawsuit by the family against Ventura County, CA. on behalf of her son.

The little boy is represented by his father, Ryan, and the estate is being represented by the late actress’ business manager.

The family sued the county, along with United Water Conservation District and Parks and Recreation Management, accusing them of failing to warn visitors of the dangers of boating and swimming in the lake.

In the initial complaint, the family claimed the boat rented by the “Glee” star for a fun day on the water with her son, was not equipped with flotation or lifesaving devices, a ladder, rope, anchor, or any equipment designed to keep swimmers from being separated from their boat.

In their response, Ventura County officials claimed the death wasn’t their fault, considering the actress decided on her own not to wear a life jacket. At the time, they claimed the actress was “offered a life vest” but she “declined to wear” it.

“Ms. Rivera was offered a life vest by Parks Management Company’s boat rental agent, which Ms. Rivera declined to wear, after which the rental agent ‘put the vest in the rental boat,” a legal response read.

“While Naya and Josey were swimming, the boat started to be carried away — likely by the current and wind, which gusted up to 21 miles per hour that afternoon,” an attorney for the family stated.

In a statement issued by the Rivera family’s lawyer, Amjad M. Khan, Ryan and her family are “very pleased” with the monetary settlement.

“Through this settlement, Josey will receive just compensation for having to endure the drowning of his beloved mother at Lake Piru,” Khan’s statement read. “Though the tragic loss of Josey’s mother can never truly be overcome, we are very pleased that the monetary settlement will significantly assist Josey with his life beyond this tragedy.”

The lawyer noted that the settlement is “subject to approval by the Ventura Superior Court on March 16.”

At this point, the amount being paid by any party in the case is unknown, and details of the settlement are confidential. We are guessing it’s a substantial settlement considering a compromise was agreed upon so early in this case. It should be noted, any compromise like this is subject to court approval. But, in most cases, it is a formality.

Naya disappeared on July 8, 2020. Her death was ruled an accidental drowning.